Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Price, Rays Take the Series Following 5-1 Win

Amidst the trade speculation and rumors, the Tampa Bay Rays have quietly put together a run. Winners of their last four, including a 5-1 victory last night against the Minnesota Twins, the Rays have gone 23-12 since June 11. David Price put together another excellent bid to keep Tampa Bay in the thick of things, tossing an eight-plus inning gem for his fifth consecutive victory.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Maintain Their Momentum, Top Twins 6-2

A big question preceded the start of the All-Star Break: Could the Rays maintain their momentum in the (symbolic) second half of the season? After all, Tampa Bay went 21-12 — extending back to June 11 — while a cloud of uncertainty, over the future of David Price and Ben Zobrist with the team, lingered overhead. If their 6-2 victory against the Minnesota Twins did only one thing, it’s answer the question to an extent — yes they can. The victory also found them 4-1/2 games out of third in the AL East, and 7-1/2 out in the Wildcard race.

The New What Next: Rays vs. Twins — A Series Preview of Sorts

Play resumes in the (symbolic) second half of the season, when the Tampa Bay Rays kickoff a three game series against the Minnesota Twins, at Target Field Friday. Neither the Rays nor the Twins were particularly happy with the first half of the season, and both will need strong starts following the All-Star Break to avoid irrelevancy.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Drop Series Following 9-7 Loss to the Twins

Tampa Bay dropped it’s second consecutive game to the Twins Thursday, this time by a score of 9-7. Blame the loss on a spotty start by Erik Bedard (though he was able to put the pieces together after a 42 pitch first), and a five run fifth off Heath Bell. Credit where it’s due, the offense brought the Rays within two after being down by six. The Rays were able to tag Minnesota for seven runs today (18 in the series), which is a plus.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Archer, Rays Blank Twins

It may not have been perfect, and the Rays may have left a little to be desired following a pair of seventh inning running gaffes by Yunel Escobar and David DeJesus, but Tampa Bay was able to walk away with a 3-0 shutout victory over the Twins Friday night — increasing their chances of reaching the postseason once more.