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

The Rays left one winter wonderland yesterday for another, landing in a cold Denver for a three game set against the Colorado Rockies. Some have espoused the thought that Thursday’s rain-out/snow-out may have been the best outcome for the Rays who struggled mightily in Kansas City. Look at the bright side: The game was postponed in the fourth inning, so nothing counted, including Tampa Bay’s one run deficit going into the Royals half of the inning.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: A Kerfuffle and A Win in Chicago, Onward to Kansas City

The Rays walked away from Chicago Sunday having given David Price his first victory of the season, while also salvaging the last two games of their previous four game set following an 8-3 win against the White Sox.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Crush the White Sox, 10-4

I wrote yesterday, “If anyone on the staff is capable of pulling the Rays out of this funk, it is Moore.” Holy moly, those words held true, in spades, Saturday night!

A sputtering Rays offense snapped back to life, scoring a season high 10-runs on 19 hits, while Matt Moore absolutely dominated the White Sox, posting a 6 IP/3 H/1 R/1 ER/1 BB/9 K/1 HR slash line on 101 pitches (61 for strikes).

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Beat the Yankees 5-1, ESPN Opens Mouth Only to Insert Foot

We here at X-Rays Spex headquarters would like to send a huge fuck you to Dick Vitale, Rick Sutcliffe, and the rest of the jackals at ESPN for espousing their opinions regarding the Stadium Saga. To be clear, I fully support the building of a new facility… But only if the terms are right. That is to say, if a suitable location can be decided upon and if the local tax payers are not left on the hook to pay the lot share, build and build away. I’d imagine that most people in this area feel the same.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Sweep the A’s, Bring On the Evil Empire

The Oakland Athletics were 12-4 when they walked into the Trop on Friday, while the Rays were 5-10 following an atrocious 2-7 road trip. The insanely hot Athletics were largely considered to be one of the best teams in baseball, while the Rays were a sub .500 team struggling to keep their collective heads above water. The Athletics had the best run differential (at 33+) in the AL, and though the Rays offense showed a spark of life on the tail end of their 10-game road trip, the Tampa Bay clubhouse was in shambles by all accounts. What a difference a week makes.