Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Blanked, 6-0

I argued, though a team — say the Rays — will invariably be judged on its overall record, that overall records isn’t enough to give an accurate impression of a team at any place and time. The overall record doesn’t speak to a teams’ peaks and valleys, it doesn’t take into account hot and cold streaks, and it doesn’t take into account consistent and inconsistent play.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Fall in Extra Innings, 8-6

Optimism will make you suffer fools gladly. I’m holding out for you to do the right thing, emphatically.

– American Steel

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Lose 4-2, Drop Crucial Series to the Yankees

If winning series is the name of the game, the Rays failed miserably. They allowed the Yankees to take two-of-three when they could have swept the Evil Empire — their first home series loss to the Yankees since June 2013. Let me put it this way: The Rays NEEDED to win the series, period. Regardless how inconsistent the Detroit Tigers have been of late, I really don’t see Tampa Bay’s offense pairing well against Detroit’s pitching staff in the upcoming series.

…And so it goes.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Fall to New York, 3-2

The New York Yankees put the Tampa Bay Rays’ meager three-game winning streak to rest, behind a 3-2 victory Saturday afternoon. Drew Smyly and Shane Greene went toe-to-toe, and while Greene racked up 10 strikeouts, Smyly was able to hold the Yankees to only four hits. The Rays, once again, are one game under .500, though they can turn the tide this afternoon.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: .500

They didn’t win the World Series or clinch a playoff berth Friday night, but there was reason to celebrate — the Tampa Bay Rays became only the fourth team of the modern era to team to get back to .500 from 18 games below (joining the 1899 Louisville team, the 2004 Rays, and the 2006 Marlins). They did so by putting together their 15th shutout of the season, tagging the New York Yankees with a 5-0 loss in the series opener.