Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Lose 6-3, Sputtering Offense Quiet

To put it bluntly, the swarming offense, that Joe Maddon’s so candidly spoken about, had more in common with a swarm of sugar ants Friday night, than it did with a swarm of yellow jackets. The Rays dropped an easily winnable game to the Yankees by a score of 6-2, and again find themselves two-and-a-haf games behind the third place Yankees going into Saturday afternoon’s game at Yankee Stadium.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Thump Yankees, 8-3

On the subject of Thursday night’s 8-3 win, a friend of mine summed up a general affect well, “The sound of a moaning, groaning, and grumbling Yankee Stadium is music to my ears.” In short, the Rays needed a win at Yankee Stadium, and a win they got in spades. Matt Moore collected himself and put together a well needed quality start, while the offense came alive for the second day straight, with Evan Longoria and Yunel Escobar mashing a handful of homers. Tampa Bay will enter Friday night’s match-up just one-and-a-half games behind the third place Yankees, ready to pounce on David Phelps.

The New What Next: Rays vs Yankees – Snooze Fest 2013 Series Preview

Facing a team on the slide (Editors note: similar to the slide pictured above. That is to say, it’s not been pretty) can act as a catalyst for another, especially when the presumptive wins come at the hands of the Yankees. Both New York and Tampa Bay have run into an impenetrable brick walls of late. The Yankees have won four of their last ten games, while the Rays have won only two.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Drop Doubleheader, Eight of the Last Ten Games

The Rays dropped both games of a double-header Tuesday, in a day where the hype surrounding the call up of prospect Wil Myers overshadowed their inept ability to put runs on the board. Picking up where they left off in the previous series against Boston, Tampa Bay combined to go 1-for-10 wRISP, while stranding four men on second or third throughout the balance of both games. The Rays have now dropped three consecutive games, while going 2-8 in their last ten. You guessed it, it’s time for another episode of The Good, The Bad, and the Argyle: A Bulleted Game Summary.

The New What Next: Rays vs Red Sox – A Series Preview of Sorts

The Rays will make their way to Boston Tuesday to start a big three game series against the Red Sox, following a disappointing series loss to the Kansas City Royals. I cannot emphasize enough that the next two series are incredibly important — the Rays have an excellent opportunity to gain at least a game on the Red Sox, while also getting a chance to bury the Yankees. It is incumbent for the good guys to make sure they’re clicking on all fronts: pitching, defense, and hitting. That all starts Tuesday.