Author Archives: Schmitty

The New What Next: Tampa Bay Rays Set to Start Important Series in Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays will follow their disappointing series loss against the Los Angeles Angels with a pivotal 10-game road trip. First stop: Oakland on Monday for a three-game excursion that could help decide whether or not they remain in the American League wild-card race. The Rays start Monday five games behind Toronto for the American League’s second wild card spot.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Offense Was Productive in Their 10-3 Win

There was a palpable, post trade, feeling of despair that permeated The Trop Friday night. You could feel it in the stands, and though you’d never hear the players make mention of anything of the sort, you could see it in the on field action — the Rays seemed slow, void of spark until the ninth inning. Though the trade was a major blow to the esteem of the 25+ guys in the dugout, at some point they’d have to emerge from the proverbial fog and prove they could still be competitive without Price. That point was last night. The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Los Angeles Angels by a score of 10-3, Saturday night.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Hellickson, Rays Fall to Angels 5-3

Friday marked the first game of the post David Price era, and boy was it a doozy! I’m obviously lying. In short Jeremy Hellickson gave up four early runs and couldn’t make it through the fifth inning for the third consecutive game, and Tampa Bay — despite scoring opportunities aplenty — couldn’t overcome a two run deficit. Joe Maddon called it a winnable game in his presser following the contest — and it was. But would have, could have, and should have beens don’t count for anything in baseball; The Rays dropped the first game of the series to the Angels by a 5-3 score. Come to think of it, it didn’t deviate much from a typical Rays’ loss even when Price was on the roster.

Rays 8/1/14 Starting Lineup, Etc

Rays 8/1/14 Starting Lineup Jennings CF Zobrist LF Joyce DH Longoria 3B Loney 1B Escobar SS Figueroa 2B Molina C Kiermaier RF Hellickson RHP Noteworthiness Per Marc Topkin, with the release of reliever Jim Johnson by the Athletics today, don’t be a surprised to see the Rays express interest. Johnson represents a low risk pitcher …

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