Rays 8/19/14 Starting Lineup
Jennings CF
Zobrist 2B
Joyce LF
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Escobar SS
Belnome DH
Casali C
Kiermaier RF
Archer RHP
Category Archives: The New What Next
The New What Next: Enter Le Tigre — A Rays/Tigers Series Preview of Sorts
Following their lackluster 4-2 loss Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays will open a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers, Tuesday. The Rays’ two run, five hit offensive showing in the series finale may have been one of the most uninspiring exhibitions at the plate in some time, though it certainly didn’t come as a surprise – offensive production has been on the slide over the last three or so. Are you confused how a team could drop a series after yielding a total of seven runs? Their .205 series batting average should clear up any residual befuddlement.
The New What Next: Rays vs. Yankees — A Series Preview of Sorts
I can distinctly recall the mantra of the 2011 season being “Impossible? No. Improbable? Yes.” The Tampa Bay Rays put themselves into a hole that no other team, historically, had been able to dig themselves out of — yet they did. Then last season, with their playoff hopes quickly slipping away, they put together a season ending run which found the Rays in the postseason for the fourth time in six years. This year is different, and I’d imagine that the lyrics, “All I know is that I don’t know, all I know is that I don’t know nothing,” would be an apt maxim for the remainder of the season.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Archer, Rays Dominate Rangers in 10-1 Shellacking
Had you asked Joe Maddon or Jim Hickey what they hoped for out of Wednesday night’s game, they would have said a win, and the opportunity to allow the tired relievers some rest following Tuesday night’s 14-inning marathon. Two pitchers, 13 strikeouts, and two hours and 51 minutes later, the Rays not only met Maddon and Hickey’s expectations, they exceeded them. Tampa Bay put together a 10-1 shellacking of the Rangers, thanks to a masterful seven IP start by Chris Archer, and a 12 hit/10 run offensive charge (which included three early home runs) led by Matt Joyce, Sean Rodriguez, and Brandon Guyer.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Fall in Extra Innings, 3-2…Again
We awaited the triumphant return of Jeremy Hellickson from the DL with baited breath, only to be somewhat letdown by his first three starts — I say somewhat, because though he wasn’t terrible, Hellickson certainly wasn’t at the top of his game. The former Rookie of the Year pitcher turned the corner in his August 6 start against Oakland, yet a question still lingered — could he string together quality starts with consistency? If his start against the Texas Rangers Tuesday night was indicative of anything, it’s yes he can. Yet what started as a pitching duel between he and Nick Tepesch, turned into a 3-2 Rangers’ victory in 14 innings – one that sadly obscured Hellickson’s quality start.