It’s been said that perception is everything. For example, take the Rays in the months of April, June, and August — months where Tampa Bay posted a sub .500, 36-44 record. On paper, it seemed unfathomable that the Rays would end the regular season with a 92-71 record, much less clinch a postseason berth. Yet here we sit on the cusp of the Rays fourth playoff appearance in six years, following a huge 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers, Monday night. How sweet it is.
Tag Archives: Baseball
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Live to See Another Day
Sunday’s 7-6 — game 162 — victory can be summed up in five words: A tale of two halves. Tampa Bay charged out the gate, tagging a pair of pitchers (Todd Redmond and Neil Wagner) for six runs in the first inning, but almost, predictably, blew it in the late innings. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — a win is a win is a win. However, this win was bittersweet. The pitching and offense looked dominant in the front five, yet they didn’t resemble a playoff team in the bottom four. Be it as it may, the Rays will head to Texas Monday for a one game tie-breaker, ahead of the AL Wildcard game Wednesday, in Cleveland. A few game peripherals are below.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: It All Comes Down to This…
Some 730 days ago, the Rays found themselves in a do-or-die situation that came down to final game of the baseball season. In 2011, a Rays win would have given them at least an opportunity to face the Boston Red Sox in a one-game tie breaker. We’re all well versed in what happened on that glorious final day of baseball by now; The Rays came from behind, late in the game, to beat the New York Yankees, while the Red Sox fell to the Orioles, deleting all hopes of a postseason berth. So much has changed, it seems nothing ever changes.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Sloppy Fielding to Blame For the Rays 6-3 Loss
Blame the inexcusable errors in the Rays 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays last night. Playing their sloppiest game in some time, Tampa Bay fell into a tie for the top wild card spot with two left to play. That one hurt, though the Rays still only need to win two games in order to clinch a postseason berth. Tampa Bay, ideally, got the sloppy fielding out of their system last night. Look at the bright side, at least the good guys don’t have to face Dickey again. A few quick game peripherals are below.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Beat Up On the Yankees, 8-3
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.