It’s crazy when you consider that though the Rays are in the postseason for the fourth time in six years, they hadn’t made it past the first round of the playoffs since 2008… That is, until last night. Alex Cobb, Joel Peralta, Jake McGee and Fernando Rodney did what they are wont to do, shutting down the Indians in their first postseason appearance since 2007. On the other end of things, the offense did just enough, tagging Salazar and Co for four runs in last night’s 4-0 victory. How sweet it is! I live blogged the game, and you can read all of my annoying witticisms at out Tumblr site.
Category Archives: Looking Backward While Moving Forward
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: October Baseball Bound!
It’s been said that perception is everything. For example, take the Rays in the months of April, June, and August — months where Tampa Bay posted a sub .500, 36-44 record. On paper, it seemed unfathomable that the Rays would end the regular season with a 92-71 record, much less clinch a postseason berth. Yet here we sit on the cusp of the Rays fourth playoff appearance in six years, following a huge 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers, Monday night. How sweet it is.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Live to See Another Day
Sunday’s 7-6 — game 162 — victory can be summed up in five words: A tale of two halves. Tampa Bay charged out the gate, tagging a pair of pitchers (Todd Redmond and Neil Wagner) for six runs in the first inning, but almost, predictably, blew it in the late innings. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — a win is a win is a win. However, this win was bittersweet. The pitching and offense looked dominant in the front five, yet they didn’t resemble a playoff team in the bottom four. Be it as it may, the Rays will head to Texas Monday for a one game tie-breaker, ahead of the AL Wildcard game Wednesday, in Cleveland. A few game peripherals are below.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: It All Comes Down to This…
Some 730 days ago, the Rays found themselves in a do-or-die situation that came down to final game of the baseball season. In 2011, a Rays win would have given them at least an opportunity to face the Boston Red Sox in a one-game tie breaker. We’re all well versed in what happened on that glorious final day of baseball by now; The Rays came from behind, late in the game, to beat the New York Yankees, while the Red Sox fell to the Orioles, deleting all hopes of a postseason berth. So much has changed, it seems nothing ever changes.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Sloppy Fielding to Blame For the Rays 6-3 Loss
Blame the inexcusable errors in the Rays 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays last night. Playing their sloppiest game in some time, Tampa Bay fell into a tie for the top wild card spot with two left to play. That one hurt, though the Rays still only need to win two games in order to clinch a postseason berth. Tampa Bay, ideally, got the sloppy fielding out of their system last night. Look at the bright side, at least the good guys don’t have to face Dickey again. A few quick game peripherals are below.