Yesterday we wrote about Fernando Rodney’s success. Call me a fan boy, but I just feel the need to write about him again today. Why? Call me crazy, but being a mere 2.1 innings shy of breaking Dennis Eckersley’s record, potentially ending the season with a sub 0.61 ERA while accruing forty or more saves, is pretty well…incredible. Will he be able to set the with only six games left of the season? That fails be seen just yet.
Let me clarify a bit. In my eyes, it isn’t a question of whether he has the capacity to make history. Having given up only four earned runs in 71 innings of work is evidence enough that Rodney is capable of this feat. That Rodney has a 5:1 K/BB ratio (72 K’s, 15 BB) only gives credence to that. Rather it’s a question of whether he’ll get the opportunity to make history with only six games left. I, for one, hope he will.
There’s been much to do over who should win the AL Cy Young Award, as many people have mentioned Rodney’s name with the other greats on the list. I’d prefer to not get into the fray. One thing is certain though, our closer undoubtedly has the stuff to be a Cy Young contender. Even to be mentioned as a potential candidate is an honor. Esteemed company as it were.
Sometimes I wish a good back story would be considered, when deliberating who is deserving of the honor. Sure, it is to some extent. I’d note that David Price having to do more heavy lifting than Weaver or Verlander this season will more than likely be considered.
But that’s not the type of prologue that I’m talking about. I’m, more or less, referring to the trials and tribulations that any given player has had to face; the things that cannot be quantified. If it was, Rodney would easily capture the vote of the baseball writers. After all, who’d ever have imagined that a 35 year-old pitcher in the tenth year of his professional career…a pitcher that has mediocre career numbers at best, would be the second coming of Dennis Eckersley? Certainly not me.
In the end, I’m confident that Rodney will be lauded with his fair share of honors. At least he should be, and the more the merrier in my opinion. The question then begs, should he be considered in the running for MVP, along with Ben Zobrist and David Price? The simple answer: yes. But I’m jumping the gun a bit. We’ve still got six games to go!
Looking Backward While Moving Forward
Much to the chagrin on the O’s, A’s, and Angels, the Rays improved their odds of a postseason berth by 9%, according to Cool Standings. Tampa Bay now finds itself in the thick of the playoff hunt thanks to losses by both the A’s and Angels, an Orioles off-day, and the Rays hard fought win. It wasn’t pretty, but the outcome is all that matters. (Bulleted highlights and low-lights are below)
The Rays will, again, take on the ChiSox tonight in the Windy City. Jeremy Hellickson (9-10, 3.20 ERA) and Gavin Floyd (10-11, 4.56 ERA) will toe the rubber, as both teams attempt to continue to play meaningful baseball into October. The Rays are in the throes of an eight game winning streak, their longest winning streak since 2004, and their longest with Joe Maddon at the helm. I could be crazy, but the Rays actually look like they want this.
With the events of 366 days ago ever present in the collective consciousness of the Rays, the fans, and baseball aficionados alike, could we expect a little magic out of our guys in the remaining six games of the season? Here’s to hope.
- James Shields didn’t have the Juego G stuff last night, but he certainly had enough to keep the score close. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the ChiSox are batting .128 with runners in scoring position over the last 11 games, while averaging 2.4 runs in their last nine. Shields posted a 6.1 IP/6 H/2 ER/4 BB/2 HBP/6 K line on 117 pitches. (69 for strikes)
- Hey Jake Peavy, it was clearly obvious that you balked in the second inning. You’d better count your blessings that the umps recalled their initial, well…call, and forced Keppinger to come back to third. I will say however, that you pitched a pretty damn good game otherwise.
- Evan Longoria and Luke Scott going yard, while plating two runs? We like that. How’s about y’all do that again tonight? While I’m thinking about it, LUKE had a good night at the plate, going 2-3 with a run and an RBI on the aforementioned homer.
- ‘Los, you’re starting to make up for your inadequacies at the plate this season. That sac-fly, driving home Ben Zobrist, proved to be huge.
- The ChiSox went 1-8 wRISP, stranding ten men on the bags. Credit the Rays pitchers for getting out of a pair of bases loaded situations relatively unscathed. McGee, the double play you induced in the seventh was big.
- The Rays start their day of action within two games of the second wildcard spot and tied with the Angels, and three games behind the O’s. So let’s go Rays, Rangers, Red Sox, and Mariners!
Rays 9/28/12 Starting lineup
Fuld LF
Upton CF
Zobrist SS
Longoria 3B
Scott DH
Keppinger 2B
Pena 1B
Joyce RF
Lobaton C
Hellickson RHP
Noteworthiness: Super Sammy Fuld is ready to play in the field once more, and will get the start in left-field tonight over Desmond Jennings, and leading off. Carlos Peña and Evan Longoria will again get the start at first and third respectively. Can they go for their ninth straight for the first time since 2004? Well, it is the anniversary of game 162, so why not?