Darn, I can’t believe that this is the last one of these that I’m putting together this year. What a bummer! Anyway, thanks for reading my childish gibberish over the last 161 games.
Rays October 3, 2012 Starting Lineup
Upton CF
Zobrist SS
Longoria 3B
Joyce RF
Roberts 2B
Pena 1B
Fuld LF
Vogt DH
Gimenez C
Hellickson RHP
Noteworthiness: Joe Maddon has finally released his last starting lineup of the 2012 season, following a bit of a kerfuffle on the part of Buck Showalter. Maddon initially put two starting lineups together; one if Britton was on the mound, and another if Tillman was going to get the start instead. After a bit of wavering, Showalter finally decided to give Tillman the start, and Maddon reciprocated by putting an “A” lineup together, complete with Vogt at DH…you know Vogt who’s 0-22. Ouch.
Rays beat writer, Marc Topkin, noted a couple of interesting pieces of ephemera. Of interest, first Upton admitted to feeling a little different today thinking about potential last day with the Rays. Also of interest, Maddon hasn’t decided whether he’d use closer Fernando Rodney at some point tonight. As you may be aware, Rodney is sitting on the MLB reliever ERA record.
The Hot-Stove period between seasons officially starts for the Rays tonight after out number 27 goes down in the annals of baseball history. Suffice to say, none of us really thought that we’d be immediately thrust into that four-month black hole, conveniently nestled between the end of one season and the start of Spring Training. Sure, there’s always postseason baseball, but it’s just not the same when your team isn’t invited to the party. Here we sit, effectively twiddling our thumbs with 21 other teams, waiting for whatever is going to happen…to happen.
Listening to Neil Solondz on the way home from the Trop last night got me thinking. Solondz dedicated the entirety of the post-game broadcast to the Rays diehards. He elicited their responses and thoughts (read: let them air their grievances) on the 2012 season. Tonight is dedicated to moving forward with the general question being, where do we go from here? I’d like to do the same thing with the blog. You know, looking backward while moving forward.
That said, what do you all think? Let’s get a good dialog together. Tell us worked for the Rays, and what didn’t. Also, feel free to mention what they could have done better. Furthermore, if the goal of the upcoming 2013 season is to get back to the postseason, what do you think the Rays need to do to become a more consistent team? Your responses are welcomed.
Along with the Hot-Stove come the tacit, and not so tacit, rumors of who should stay, who should go, and who the Rays could/should pick up off the market as a means to bolster the organization’s productivity. Spotrac has posted the contract status of players on the Rays roster. I’m currently in the process of writing a piece on the aforementioned topic, and here’s your chance to skim the list and give your opinion. So…what do you think? The Process Report posted a piece on that very subject. Reading it would definitely be worth your while.
James Shields makes his way to the dugout to a standing ovation, following a 1-2-3 ninth inning. (Photo Courtesy of Tampa Bay Times)
In what could have been his last start in a Rays uniform, James Shields did something that no other Rays pitcher had ever done: strikeout fifteen batters while walking none. Allowing only one run on two hits, Shields was absolutely dazzling on the mound. Sadly the Rays offense (yet again) could only muster two hits, plating nary a single run. Tampa Bay ultimately lost this one by a score of 1-0 for fifth time in 53-game span. They’ll have one more opportunity to win 90-games in the season finale Wednesday.
It should be noted that no pitcher in MLB history had ever taken the loss when striking out 15+ with no walks and two hits or less. That is until James Shields tonight. Sigh. Joe Maddon called the loss, “The crime of the year. “Here-here to that.
Shields absolutely dealt. Posting a 9.0 IP/2 H/1 R/1 ER/o BB/15 K line, Juego G threw 106 pitches, (70 for strikes, a 66% strike-to-walk percentage) coaxing 11 swinging strikeouts. Shields pounded the zone, throwing well over 60% of his pitches (with the exception of his two-seam fastball) for strikes. He also had a powerful fastball which topped out at 96 MPH. Locating his fastball with a ramped up velocity isn’t something that we’re accustomed to. Perhaps he was making a statement with this outing?
Pitching statistics (Courtesy of Brooks Baseball)
For whatever reason, James Shields saved his best for last. Now the rumor mill is starting to gear up with only one game left in the season. The question du jour, will he return next season or not? I counter, the question should be whether the Rays will pick up his option next season or not. In all honesty, if it was wholly up to him, I think Shields would gladly put on a Rays jersey for another year or so. But Shields stands to make $10.25 million next season, and we all know what that could mean from a payroll point of view. Could Tampa Bay afford the co-ace of the staff by not re-signing (or not picking up the options of) Carlos Pena, Luke Scott, BJ Upton, Kyle Farnsworth, etc? Also keep in mind that David Price is eligible for arbitration in the off-season, and the Rays are going to need to pick up some crucial offensive pieces if they’re going to be a force in 2013.
There’s no doubt that Shields has played a pivotal role in the Rays becoming a contender over these last four years. He’s accrued more that 200 innings of work consecutively in the last four seasons, while striking out more than 200 batters the last two. Shields has garnered a reputation for being a franchise player and a workhorse; a player that any team would be head over heals to have in their starting rotation. One thing is certain, Shields isn’t a fluke. Then again, I don’t think that’s up for debate.
Would we, the Rays fans, love to see the return of James Shields next season? I’d have to say undoubtedly yes. Sadly, neither Stu Sternberg or Andrew Friedman are seeking guidance from any of us on the matter any time soon. So soak this one in friends, we may not be graced with a “Big Game” James performance come the first week of next April.
Whelp, I only get the chance to do this once more (after tonight, that is) this season, so here goes:
Rays 10/2/12 Starting Lineup
Jennings LF
Upton CF
Zobrist SS
Longoria 3B
Keppinger 1B
Joyce RF
Roberts 2B
Scott DH
Gimenez C
Shields RHP
Noteworthiness: When asked about tonight’s lineup, Joe Maddon mentioned that he didn’t talk to Evan Longoria about playing. Rather, he just decided they’d stick with the regulars and “play it straight up.” On using Rodney, Maddon said he’d use him tonight if needed, but he won’t decide about tomorrow since he has a better ERA than Eckersley.
Oh yes, awards… Some of the team awards have already been announced. Of those, the following players have received these rewards:
Rays MVP: Fernando Rodney (47 saves, 0.6053 ERA, finished ahead of David Price and Ben Zobrist)
Team Rookie: Matt Moore (Jose Lobaton and Chris Archer came in at second and third)
Paul C. Smith Champion Award: James Shields; (Ben Zobrist and David Price came in at second and third) the award is given to the player that exemplifies the spirit of true professionalism on and off the field.
The players above will receive their awards in a ceremony prior to the first pitch.
Fernando Rodney pitching against the Indians. (Photo by Mr. Danger McClintock/Raysbaseball.co)
I know, I’m bummed out about the Rays not making it to the postseason as well. I’d like to offer a million thanks to the Texas Rangers for screwing the Rays over AGAIN! For the sake of being a spiteful curmudgeon, I hope the Athletics sweep the Rangers and take the AL West, relegating them to the second wildcard spot.
There’s still a lot at stake for the Rays over the course of the next two games; from being a thorn in the side of the Orioles, to watching BJ Upton pound out a pair of homers and joining the 30/30 club, among other things. That may sound conciliatory at best. However, it also makes sense for the Rays to finish strong, using this incredible streak as a motivator going into Spring training. I’m also really amped to see Fernando Rodney extend his history making season.
Let this blow your mind: Fernando Rodney already has a lower ERA than Dennis Eckersley. How? You know, because they’re both listed as having a 0.61 ERA. Let’s see.
A little arithmetic lesson first.
In order to determine a pitchers ERA, you have to multiply his total number of earned runs by nine, then divide that number by the total number of innings pitched, or: (ER x 9) / IP for the nerds out there. (like me)
With this in mind, Dennis Eckersley gave up five earned runs in 73.1 innings of work in his historic season, bringing his ERA to 0.615595, or 0.62 if you round up. However, Fernando Rodney has given up the same number of earned runs (5) over 74.1 innings of work, leaving him with an ERA of 0.6072874, or 0.61 if you round up. Besides Rodney has an inning more under his belt, so he’s been able to extend his success over a longer stretch.
Rodney only needs 2/3 of an inning, sans an earned run, to be left with an even 0.60 ERA.
