Know what I’m annoyed by? The constant trade rumors surrounding David Price. Know who else is? David Price. I get it, he’s been hugging people often — including an extended “hug session” following his excellent outing at The Trop yesterday — which, somehow, led people to believe he was saying goodbye. I really don’t read much into it. After all, he regularly hugs his teammates in the midst a game. This might be a radical line of thinking, but perhaps he’s just being a good teammate?
Let me put things into perspective:
- The Rays set their rotation following the All-Star Game, with Price scheduled to take the mound against the Twins Saturday, July 19th. Juxtapose that with a team, like the Red Sox, who are preparing for a trade. Jake Peavy isn’t scheduled to pitch again until July 22. If a Peavy trade were to take place before then, the Sox would have enough time to recall Brandon Workman, who was optioned to Triple-A last Wednesday.
- It’s common knowledge if Tampa Bay can continue its winning ways, the chances of a Price trade (or Zobrist, for that matter) are drastically reduced. The Rays have gone 21-12 since June 11 (a .636 WP), and there really hasn’t been any indication that they can’t/won’t continue their winning ways after the All-Star Break. In the Rays’ favor, their current position in the AL East — 9.5 games behind the first place Orioles, and 4.5 games behind the third place Yankees. They’ve also made up significant ground in the playoff standings, just 8.0 games out of the AL Wildcard race. The pitching staff has been, yet there’s still room for growth. The offense has averaged 4.4 runs per game since June 11th — an average per-game run total that is sustainable over the long haul. The defense — Tampa Bay’s other key component — has been solid, and the Rays will welcome players back to the fold following the ASG. Simply put, the Rays are becoming the team they were meant to be following Spring Training.
- Much of their recent success can be attributed to David Price. In kind, any future success (this season) will be predicated on Price being on the roster. With 65 games remaining in the season, if the Rays or going to go 43-22 (for an ultimate record of 87-75) in the symbolic second half of the season, they will need all hands on deck — Price included.
Moving forward.
Price threw eight excellent innings of shutout baseball on 112 pitches (74 strikes, 66% K%), allowing just five hits and a walk, while striking out five. Price did what others had before; when he realized his wipeout pitch may not be working, he relied upon weak contact for outs. Working one batter into the ninth, Joe Maddon called upon Jake McGee to finish off the Jays. The ace of the relief staff struck out two, preserving both the shutout and the win.
Yunel Escobar celebrated his return by scoring two of the Rays three runs. His first run came with Escobar on second in the second inning. Logan Forsythe shot an RBI single to right, plating the first run of the game. Then in the sixth, Escobar slapped a two-out single to center, promptly swiping second with Jose Molina at the plate. For RA Dickey, it was the second stolen base allowed all season. The steal paid dividends when Molina hit an RBI single to right. Though Escobar was initially called out at the plate, the call was overturned upon review. Yunel clearly slid in safe at home, ahead of Jose Bautista’s throw, and the Rays took a 2-0 lead.
Tampa Bay was rewarded with an insurance run in the seventh inning, following a beautiful Kevin Kiermaier/Ben Zobrist double steal of second and third (respectively). Evan Longoria hit a deep sac-fly, scoring Kiermaier from third. Three runs would be all the Rays would need.
The Rays capped off the symbolic first half of the season with a 21-12 run (extending back to June 11). Make that 22 consecutive home series wins against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees five inning, rain-postponed loss (the baseball gods were looking down on Tampa Bay) find the Rays 4.5 games out of third place in the AL East.
Noteworthiness
- David Price, when given the choice between starting for the Rays Sunday, or pitching in the All-Star Game, chose to help his team over pitching an inning at the ASG Tuesday. Price, your dedication to the franchise has not gone unnoticed, and we love ya for it!
- Here’s a pretty cool info-graphic on Kiermaier’s SLG as he’s risen through the ranks:
- Don’t forget, our next watch party is in four short days:
