The New What Next: …Just Don’t Call Them the Twinkies, A Series Preview of Sorts

A day after David Price posted the Rays first complete game start of the 2013 season — finishing of the White Sox in a three game sweep — Tampa Bay will welcome the Minnesota Twins to the friendly confines of the Trop for a four game set, starting Monday. The Rays are hot at the moment, winning the last four consecutive series while going 11-4 over a 15 game stretch. Tampa Bay is sitting in second place in the AL East for the first time since the beginning of April, tied with the Baltimore Orioles, and a half game over the third place Yankees.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Matt Moore, Rays Blank ChiSox 3-0

It may have not been the offensive outburst of the previous night, however the Tampa Bay Rays, with Matt Moore at the helm, beat the Chicago White Sox by a score of 3-0 Saturday at the Trop. He may not have been perfect, but Moore did just enough to stifle a sluggish White Sox offense, making the big pitches when necessary over the course of his 6-1/3 inning outing. There’s just something about Matt Moore… At least the 2013 model — things don’t seem to phase him. Case in point, a nerve racking pair of innings in which the White Sox could have broken the game open, but didn’t.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Hellickson, Rays Handcuff White Sox 8-3

Let’s review last night’s 8-3 win: A) Jeremy Hellickson was dominant. B) The Rays were electric at the plate. C) The ninth was ugly, but Ramos limited the damage. Better yet, let’s use that outline as a template for this game summary. Jeremy Hellickson Was Dominant Simply put, the subtitle says it all. Hellickson was …

The New What Next: Enter That Other Sox Team, A Series Preview of Sorts

Gritty victories are always nice, though sometimes they can be a bit annoying…especially when they come against a team that should have been handily dealt with. Sure, a win is a win is a win. Though a 7-5 win against the Astros in 11 innings, is a win with a punch to the gut. Frankly, the Rays should have won Thursday’s game by a score of 5-2. Peralta left a splitter up, a .150 hitter hammered it to right to tie the game in the eighth inning, and the Rays ultimately had to come back to win the game in extra innings. Hey, at least they won! You can read a blow by blow summary of the series finale against the Astros at our Tumblr page. Next on the docket: A three game set at home against the White Sox.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Hmph…Rays Lose 4-1

Not much can be said about last night’s 4-1 loss to the Astros… At least nothing that hasn’t already been said. Both Roberto Hernandez and Bud Norris were very good, though Norris was better. The Astros ace has been very good at home this season (2.27 ERA, 3 HR, 71-1/3 IP), and he did what ace’s are want to do: shut down the opposing offense.