The Rays will start a four game set against the Red Sox Monday. It goes without saying, this is a big series, and the Rays stand to gain a lot of ground on the AL East leading Red Sox. However, this isn’t a season defining series. That is to say, no harm or foul if the Rays leave Boston Thursday with an even split on the series — hope for three-out-of-four or a sweep, be content with an even split. If anything, Tampa Bay is looking for a bit of payback for being kicked around by the Red Sox over their first 12 games against them.
Category Archives: The New What Next
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: It Wasn’t Pretty, But A Win Is A Win (Updated)
It wasn’t particularly the prettiest of victories, especially late in the game, however we can walk away knowing that the Rays achieved the preferred outcome Saturday, in a 4-3 victory against the Blue Jays. The hottest team in baseball (Fox said so, so it must be true) did just enough to keep the wolves at bay, taking the second game of their three game set as they prepare for a sweep against a somewhat erratic RA Dickey, Sunday. Jeremy Hellickson walked away with his fifth consecutive win, while Fernando Rodney racked up his 23rd save of the year — a save that almost wasn’t.
The New What Next: The Rays Silence Their Detractors Following An 8-5 Win
A rather large question begged to be answered prior to the All-Star Break: Could the Rays continue their hot ways on the 10-game AL East road trip that followed. After the first three innings of play Friday night, the answer seemed to scream from the empty seats in the Rogers Centre, a resounding no. But something miraculous happened. Powered by Ben Zobrist, Wil Myers, Evan Longoria, and Kelly Johnson, Tampa Bay clawed its way back to defeat Toronto by a score of 8-5. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Tampa Bay is continuing its toasty ways.
The New What Next: Rays Start Symbolic Second Half in Toronto, A Series Preview of Sorts
The Blue Jays were the hottest team in baseball the last time Tampa Bay faced Toronto. Tampa Bay snapped their 11 game winning streak in that series, effectively relegating the Blue Jays to the cellar of the AL East, and consequently harkening the start of a 20 game stretch where the Rays went 16-4, leading up to the All-Star Break. The Rays will try to continue their toasty ways with a deadly trio of hurlers on the mound — David Price, Jeremy Hellickson, and Chris Archer. The Rays are 7-1 when Price, Hellickson, or Archer has taken the mound since Price’s return from the DL, at the beginning of July.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Rally From Three-Run Deficit to Win 4-3
The Tampa Bay Rays came back from an early 3-0 deficit Saturday, taking the second game of their current three-game set by a score of 4-3. Roberto Hernandez FINALLY earned his fifth win of the year after giving his best David Price impersonation — That is to say, he gave up a few runs (3) in the first inning, then turned it on thereafter, retiring 10 of the last 11 batters he faced. Fernando Rodney was credited with his 22nd save of the year.