Hellickson got beat (relatively speaking, duh) by a team that’s averaged under two-runs per game in their previous six games. In the end, he posted a spotty 6 IP/5 H/5 R/5 ER/4 BB/8 K/1 HR slash line on 111 pitches (68 for strikes). Then again, Helly could have given up just three-runs and it really wouldn’t have mattered, especially when the offense could only muster two runs on five hits and four walks. 1-for-6 wRISP while stranding six on the bags? Yeesh.
Category Archives: The New What Next
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: On the Road Again…
The Tampa Bay Rays exit the friendly confines of the Trop Thursday on the heels of an outstanding 8-1/3 inning, three hit outing by Alex Cobb. What a difference a week makes. Tampa Bay is now one of the hottest teams in baseball, having won their last two series while taking five out of the last six games. From here, the Rays will go on another 11 day — 10 game — road trip taking them through Chicago, Kansas City, and Colorado. First stop: US Cellular Field and a four game set against the White Sox. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Drop Game Two to the Yankees, 4-3
Walking into the Trop Tuesday night, neither Phil Hughes nor David Price had earned their first win of the year. One thing was certain, barring a no-decision, one pitcher would potentially walk out of the Trop with his first win of the year. And though both pitchers kept their respective team in the game, Phil Hughes and the Yankees bested Tampa Bay, snapping the Rays four game winning streak.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Beat the Yankees 5-1, ESPN Opens Mouth Only to Insert Foot
We here at X-Rays Spex headquarters would like to send a huge fuck you to Dick Vitale, Rick Sutcliffe, and the rest of the jackals at ESPN for espousing their opinions regarding the Stadium Saga. To be clear, I fully support the building of a new facility… But only if the terms are right. That is to say, if a suitable location can be decided upon and if the local tax payers are not left on the hook to pay the lot share, build and build away. I’d imagine that most people in this area feel the same.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Sweep the A’s, Bring On the Evil Empire
The Oakland Athletics were 12-4 when they walked into the Trop on Friday, while the Rays were 5-10 following an atrocious 2-7 road trip. The insanely hot Athletics were largely considered to be one of the best teams in baseball, while the Rays were a sub .500 team struggling to keep their collective heads above water. The Athletics had the best run differential (at 33+) in the AL, and though the Rays offense showed a spark of life on the tail end of their 10-game road trip, the Tampa Bay clubhouse was in shambles by all accounts. What a difference a week makes.