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.
Tag Archives: Evan Longoria
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.
The New What Next: The Gauntlet Begins, Rays vs. Red Sox Series Preview
Let’s turn the clock back a bit — back to the middle of July when Tampa Bay was in the midst of a 21-5 stretch. The Rays waltzed into Fenway Park, in Boston, ahead of a highly anticipated battle for AL East dominance. Though the four game series was played over the course of seven …
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Looking Backward While Moving Forward: The “Yeesh” Edition
For the moment, everything is coming up Milhouse for the Rays. Not even a dazzling 2 R/5 H complete game outing by Alex Cobb was good enough Saturday night, as Tampa Bay’s anemic offense couldn’t muster more than a run in the 2-1 loss to the Athletics. Even then, that run came in a late game rally off former Ray Grant Balfour. It certainly doesn’t take into account all of the squandered opportunities leading up to that point.
The New What Next: Rays vs A’s – The Battle of the Bays
The good news: Tampa Bay has won nine of its last 15 with the pitching staff relinquishing only 2.6 runs, on average, per game. The bad: They’ve dropped four out of their last five, averaging only 2.6 runs per game in that stretch. Thursday’s game followed a familiar pattern; the pitchers put together a good enough start, yet the offense couldn’t muster anything. Rather, they were able to get eight runners on — but moving them over or driving them in? Not so much. You’ve got to love streakiness — one moment you’re feeling the highest of highs, and the next you feel like you’ve gotten punched in the stomach.