In the series preview, I wrote, “They’ve (the Twins) averaged almost five runs per game over the last 15 games, while the pitching has given up (on average) almost six. This bodes well for the swarming offense of the Tampa Bay Rays.” I’m not calling myself Nostradamus or anything, but it does emphasize that the Rays 7-4 win against the Twins Monday night is par for the course, for what Minnesota has done over their last 15 games. That’s not to belittle Tampa Bay in any way, shape, or form. Rather, it should show that the Rays are doing exactly what they need to be doing in the pre All-Star Break stretch.
Tag Archives: Rays
The New What Next: …Just Don’t Call Them the Twinkies, A Series Preview of Sorts
A day after David Price posted the Rays first complete game start of the 2013 season — finishing of the White Sox in a three game sweep — Tampa Bay will welcome the Minnesota Twins to the friendly confines of the Trop for a four game set, starting Monday. The Rays are hot at the moment, winning the last four consecutive series while going 11-4 over a 15 game stretch. Tampa Bay is sitting in second place in the AL East for the first time since the beginning of April, tied with the Baltimore Orioles, and a half game over the third place Yankees.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Matt Moore, Rays Blank ChiSox 3-0
It may have not been the offensive outburst of the previous night, however the Tampa Bay Rays, with Matt Moore at the helm, beat the Chicago White Sox by a score of 3-0 Saturday at the Trop. He may not have been perfect, but Moore did just enough to stifle a sluggish White Sox offense, making the big pitches when necessary over the course of his 6-1/3 inning outing. There’s just something about Matt Moore… At least the 2013 model — things don’t seem to phase him. Case in point, a nerve racking pair of innings in which the White Sox could have broken the game open, but didn’t.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Price, Rays Blank Astros For the Second Consecutive Day
Welcome back David Price, how’s about you stick around for a while?! The Tampa Bay Rays blanked Houston for the second consecutive day, as David Price regained his dominant Cy Young Award winning form in an 8-0 shutout of the lowly Astros. The Rays posted back-to-back shutouts for the second time this season, and the seventh time in club history, while the offense put crooked numbers on the board for the second consecutive day.
Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Throttle Astros, 12-0
The Rays absolutely throttled the Astros Monday night in a 12-0 routing at Minute Maid Park. I know what you’re saying, “But it was against the Astros, the second worst team in baseball.” I’d remind you that the Astros have played .500 ball over the last 40 games or so, while their starting rotation has the second lowest ERA in the American League during that stretch. The Rays’ no questions asked 12-0 win came courtesy of strong pitching and an offensive outburst from the seven-eight-nine trio of hitters, as Tampa Bay plated more two-out runs in one game than they had in the series prior. It’s time for another episode of The Good, The Bad, and The Argyle: A Bulleted Game Summary.