The Rays have put together their best post-All Star Break streak, winning six straight games while eliminating both the Yankees and the Oriole from playoff contention in the process. The Tribe defeated the ChiSox, so the Rays maintain just a one game lead over Cleveland with four left to play. They’ll attempt their second consecutive streak with Alex Cobb on the mound. Cobber will take on Ivan Nova, and you can read about the pitching match-up here. I’ll post the starting lineup when it becomes available.
Tag Archives: Alex Cobb
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Cobb, Rays Take Game Two 5-1
“That was quick,” a good buddy of mine texted following the Rays 5-1 win against the Orioles Saturday. After the previous night’s six hour and fifty four minute marathon, even the most normally paced game can feel incredibly short. It certainly didn’t hurt that Alex Cobb mowed over Baltimore in his 8-1/3 inning outing, ringing up 12 Orioles on 117 pitches (76 for strikes, 66% K%). In short, Cobb was dazzling.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Beat Orioles in 18 Innings, 5-4
…And with one out in the bottom of the 18th, a mere hour or so after the remaining fans at the Trop celebrated the 14th inning stretch, the Rays began to put together an inning. Forget that they had other opportunities and squandered them; This one felt different. Desmond Jennings, who was initially scratched from the lineup card (and put in the game in the 10th), cranked a double up the left-field line — quickly* getting into scoring position. Then an erratic Bud Norris fell behind Yunel Escobar, ultimately allowing him to reach on a 3-2 walk. With runners on first and second, one of the heroes from the last extra innings game, David DeJesus, came to the plate with one goal in mind — put the ball into play. DeJesus sent an 0-1 hanger into center-field, plating Jennings from second. A few game peripherals are below.
The New What Next: Rays vs O’s, the Final Home Series of the Season
Another day, another important series, as the Rays season ending gauntlet continues. Tampa Bay will welcome the Baltimore Orioles to the Trop for the last time this season, on the heels of an ugly 8-2 loss against the Texas Rangers. The Rays, again, have an opportunity to open up some breathing room in the Wildcard race. Then again, they had a chance to open up room the previous four days, and, well…
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Win 6-2, Claim Sole Possession of First Wildcard Spot
The Rays walked away from Monday night’s game with sole possession of the first Wildcard spot, after Tampa Bay, led by Alex Cobb, handed the Texas Rangers their seventh consecutive loss. The 6-2 game had everything one could want — a Wil Myers solo shot to the DanJo junk-shot seat in right field, a granny-panties wearing streaker, a six-run unraveling by former Ray Matt Garza, and a productive offense that went 6-11 wRISP.