Tag Archives: Interleague Play

The New What Next: The Citrus Series, Part One

The Tampa Bay Rays celebrated manager Kevin Cash’s first win by hopping on a plane and heading south to Miami, for a three game set against the Marlins. Much like the Rays, the Marlins are coming off a disappointing start to the season. In contrast, however, the Rays won a game and were competitive, whereas Miami dropped its opening series, scored a grand total of three runs, and was outscored by 13 runs.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Odorizzi, Rays Blank Cubs 4-0, Take Series

On a cool and windy day on the north side of Chicago, the Tampa Bay Rays walked away from the friendly confines of Wrigley Field with their second consecutive win — a combined 4-0 shutout of the Chicago Cubs. Jake Odorizzi, Kirby Yates, and Jake McGee were dominant, limiting the Cubs to five hits, while posting a staggering 15 strikeouts. I, one of X-Rays Spex’s field documentarians, took in the sights and sound of the game from the left hand side of Wrigley. You can read a realtime account* of Saturday’s contest at out Tumblr page. Otherwise, what follows is a recap from Michael Nazarro, and a few game peripherals from yours truly.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Beat Cubs in Extra Innings, 4-3

Let me preface this by saying that trying to watch a baseball game on ESPN’s Livecast is incredibly difficult when you’re also trying to speak to parents at the summer camp you work at. It’s an awkward situation when you utter an obscenity under your breath after you see the Chicago Cubs take an early lead, as a parent walks up to pick up their kid. That being said, I have to now ask, where has the offense — or rather the clutch offense — been? Coming into this game, since what is more and more beginning to seem like one of the darkest days in recent history (the Price trade), the Rays are 2-6. And save for the Odorizzi’s five run first inning Sunday, the pitching has been all in all solid.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Alex Cobb Excellent in Rays’ 5-1 Win

If you’re keeping track, that’s the 11th win in 12 games and the 29th in 41. Tampa Bay is now one game under .500 at 53-54 — they were 18 under on June 10. The Orioles won in 12 innings, so the Rays remain 7.0 games back in AL East. Tampa Bay has seven games left against Baltimore. The question du jour: Is that the “magic” Price number?