The New What Next: Rays vs. Yankees — Another Series Preview of Sorts

The Tampa Bay Rays head the Big Crapple for the first time this season, where they’ll take on the New York Yankees in a three game weekend set, starting Friday. The series win that preceded the trip into New York was huge, and Tampa Bay will look to build on the momentum accrued upon their exit from Bean Town. Suffice it to say, the double header sweep was precisely what the doctor ordered. In the night game, the Rays proved they could come from behind after being down by three runs, while the relievers proved they could be relied upon to hold opponents right where they were — ultimately allowing the offense to tag the Red Sox with the winning runs in both games.

The New What Next: From One “Sox” Team to the Other

The Tampa Bay Rays will go from facing one “Sox” ball club to the other Tuesday, when they head to Boston for a three-game series at Fenway. A very disjointed Rays will battle the reigning World Series champs, in the battle for last. That is, at 12-14 and 11-15 (respectively), both teams sit at the bottom of the AL East, behind the Blue Jays.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays, Price Shut Down Twins, 7-3

Going into this series, the Rays had one simple task at hand: take (at least) two of three from a team they could beat. In the interim, while Alex Cobb and Jeremy Hellickson are on the DL, Tampa Bay needs to win series’ against teams like the Twins, while putting together a .500 record against teams like Boston and New York. David Price knew this well, and he responded in kind Tuesday night — putting together an impressive 112 pitch, complete game victory against Minnesota.

Rays 4/22/14 Starting Lineup, Etc.

Rays 4/22/14 Starting Lineup Zobrist 2B Jennings CF Joyce DH Longo 3B Loney 1B Myers RF DeJesus LF Escobar SS Molina C Price LHP Noteworthiness After more pre-game work (testing his groin) at the Trop, CF Desmond Jennings is back in the lineup tonight, hitting second. Sam Fuld, who’s returning to the Trop for the …

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Crush Yankees, 16-1

Just a day removed from the Rays’ come from behind victory against the Bronx Bombers Friday, Tampa Bay absolutely destroyed the Yankees Saturday night, handing Derek Jeter and company a crushing 16-1 loss — a score worthy of a football game. The Rays will walk into the series finale Sunday, having scored 29 runs in three-games — more than they scored in the previous 11 games combined. The 16 runs matched the club’s most since April 4, 2011 in Boston, and are the second most at home in franchise history (17 vs Baltimore, Sep 5, 2007). Wil Myers (3-4, 4 R, 4 RBI) and Ryan Hanigan (3-4, 2 R, 6 RBI) each homered twice, while Evan Longoria smacked career homer number 164. Longo now owns the franchise record for home runs. Archer was credited the win (2-1) while Ivan Nova, who gave up eight earned runs, was charged with the loss. Nova left the game in the fifth inning with what was reported as a partial tear of ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He’ll be placed on the DL Sunday.