Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays, Cobb Shutout Tigers 3-0

With a pair of starting pitchers posting +55% ground ball percentages, most of us figured that Wednesday night’s match-up between Alex Cobb and Doug Fister would be a pitching dual of the ages. However, I’m not certain if any of us would have foreseen a double shutout going into the eighth inning. Though one pitcher had to lose, both Cobb and Fister were excellent Wednesday night. If I may, it’s just a damn shame that Alex Cobb couldn’t be credited with the win; after all, Cobb was incredible.

The New What Next: Goodbye Cleveland, Hello Motor City

The Tampa Bay Rays take their talents to Detroit for a three game set starting Tuesday. Though Tampa Bay and Detroit have — essentially — the same W/L record, one thing bears mentioning: With a combined overall .279 BA/.346 OBP/.431 SLG/.778 slash line, the Tigers are a team that many would consider to be an offensive juggernaut. Their pitching staff isn’t too shabby either. That, however, isn’t to sell the Rays short.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays One-Hit the Indians in Marathon Game

I’m going to be honest with you, it’s insanely hard to summarize last night’s marathon between the Rays and Indians. One thing is certain though: Both the Rays offense and bullpen stepped up and throttled the Tribe Friday night/Saturday morning, handing the Tribe a 9-2 shellacking. The much maligned bullpen absolutely dealt, putting together a two-run (both unearned), one hit, two walk outing that should — if anything — show how deadly the Rays are when both the pitching and hitting are (close to) firing on all cylinders. It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. If that’s true, take a gander at the handful of screenshots below for a summary of last night’s game.

The New What Next: Rays vs Indians, A Series Preview of Sorts

The Rays have made up an enormous amount of ground in the AL East — five games to be exact — in the last week, and they’ll attempt to take the series from the 29-24 Indians. The Tribe has struggled lately, having won only three of their last 10 games. However, Cleveland is 17-10 at home and has won their last two games. Furthermore, they’ve won 15 of their last 19 at home, outscoring opponents 105-64. All this is to say, it won’t be easy. Saturday marks the 2013 debut of Chris Archer, who is filling the void left in the wake of David Price’s DL stint.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rodney Blows Another Save, Blue Jays Top the Rays

Put a fork in it, the Rays drop the series to the Blue Jays following a 4-3 loss to Toronto, Wednesday. The redundant culprits struck again; Fernando Rodney blew the save in the ninth, giving up the game tying home run to Jose Bautista, while Kyle Farnsworth — charged with getting the final out of the tenth — gave up an RBI base it to (you guessed it) Jose Bautista, plating Colby Rasmus.