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TNWN: Rays look for a sweep of the Angels on Sunday

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  • Tyler Glasnow continued to build up his arm going into the final stretch of the season, throwing three innings of scoreless baseball on Saturday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After defeating the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday, 3-1, the Tampa Bay Rays will look to sweep the series and continue to improve their Wildcard odds this afternoon. The Rays can equal last year’s win total with a victory with 11 games left to play.

The Rays start the day a half-game behind Oakland for the top Wildcard spot, and 2-1/2 games ahead of Cleveland for the final AL playoff spot. Per FanGraphs, Tampa Bay has an 82.1% chance of a postseason berth ⁠— up 13.6% from Friday. Baseball Prospectus gives the Rays a more favorable 91.8% chance of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2013.

Tyler Glasnow didn’t factor into the decision on Saturday, giving up two hits and a walk across three scoreless frames. He struck out five. Glasnow got stretched out to 51 pitches (29 strikes, 57% strike rate) in his second outing since returning from the IL, and looked much sharper in this one than he did last weekend against Toronto. Glasnow has a 3.33 K/BB across five innings in September, and the team will continue gradually ramp-up his workload as it tries to lock down a postseason. He is scheduled to face Boston at home, on Friday.

Meanwhile, prior to Saturday’s ballgame, the Rays averaged more than six runs a game over the last 15 contests. Yet, they were kept in check by Jaime Barria across the first five frames. Tampa Bay didn’t get a runner past first base over that stretch and collected just a pair of base hits and a walk.

That changed in the sixth inning though. Barria allowed a one-out single to Joey Wendle and a walk to Austin Meadows and was subsequently lifted for Kenyan Middleton. After Tommy Pham flew out to deep right, which allowed Wendle to move up to third, left-hander Miguel Del Pozo entered the game to face Ji-Man Choi. Meadows swiped second and Choi walked on the seventh pitch of the at-bat, loading the bases. The fourth pitcher of the inning, Taylor Cole, entered to face Travis d’Arnaud, and the Rays backstop lined a full-count pitch over the head of Michael Hermosillo in left for a three-run double.

The two-base knock gave d’Arnaud 63 RBI since joining Tampa Bay at the end of May.

While things got a little messy in the seventh inning ⁠— Nick Anderson hit a batter and uncorked a pair of wild pitches which allowed a run to cross the plate ⁠— Oliver Drake and Emilio Pagan were efficient and dominant in the eighth and ninth innings, retiring the last six hitters of the game on 20 combined pitches (15 strikes) with four strikeouts.

The New What Next

Ryan Yarbrough (11-3, 3.51 ERA) will get the start for the Rays, pitching opposite of fellow southpaw Patrick Sandoval (0-3, 5.28 ERA).

Ryan Yarbrough allowed three runs on three hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out seven on Tuesday against the Rangers. Texas struck for all three of its runs in the fourth inning, with the big blow being a two-run homer by Nick Solak. Yarbrough exited in line for his fourth loss of the season until the Rays tied things up in the top of the eighth. The left-hander will take a 3.51 ERA and a 7.3 K/BB through 128-1/3 innings into the start in the series finale.

Patrick Sandoval gave up three earned runs on five hits over 3-1/3 innings against Cleveland on Monday. He struck out four and walked two in the 6-2 loss. Sandoval didn’t have his best stuff, with most of the damage against him coming on a two-run homer by Jason Kipnis in the second inning. The 22-year-old has a respectable 2.62 K/BB across 29 innings, but his 5.28 ERA is unimpressive. Sandoval is also on a pitch count, so don’t expect him to pitch deeply in the ballgame on Sunday. He relies primarily on a 93 mph four-seam fastball and an 83 mph swing & miss changeup, while also mixing in a 77 mph 12-6 curveball and an 86 mph worm-killer slider.

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

TNWN: Rays vs. Angels — a series preview, part two

Rays 9/15/19 Starting Lineup

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  1. Pham DH
  2. Meadows LF
  3. Garcia RF
  4. Aguilar 1B
  5. Wendle 2B
  6. Duffy 3B
  7. Adames SS
  8. Kiermaier CF
  9. Zunino C

Noteworthiness

— It isn’t clear if Mike Trout, who missed the first two games with a nerve issue in his right foot, will DH this afternoon.

LBWMF: Rays power past the Angels, 11-4

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  • Willy Adames hit his 18th homer of the season last night. He is one shy of tying a club record for home runs hit by a Rays shortstop. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays snapped their two-game mini skid Friday night, powered by four home runs and a quality start by Charlie Morton. With the 11-4 win over the Angels, Tampa Bay (88-61) maintained its hold on the final AL Wildcard spot.

The Rays enter play a half-game behind the Athletics for the top Wildcard spot; Oakland defeated Texas last night, 14-9. Cleveland was rained out, so the Rays regained a half-game margin with 13 games left to play.

As they’ve been wont to do all season, the Rays found themselves with an excellent opportunity to strike first in the opening frame against Andrew Heaney. Austin Meadows, Travis d’Arnaud, and Jesus Aguilar hit back-to-back-to-back two-out singles, yet Kole Calhoun gunned down Meadows at the plate as he tried to score, leaving Tampa Bay empty-handed. in the first

It was Los Angeles that scored first in the second inning against Morton. Albert Pujols led off the frame on a double down the right-field line, then moved up to third on a groundout. The future Hall of Famer came home on Luis Rengifo’s base hit to left-center.

Down by a run in the third inning, Tampa Bay muscled its way into the lead against Heaney. Willy Adames tied the game at one apiece when he crushed a leadoff homer 450 feet into left field. Then with one out, Tommy Pham singled to center before Meadows blasted his 30th homer of the season, putting the Rays up by a pair. And with two outs, Jesus Aguilar hit the third long ball of the frame, making it 4-1.

Yet Morton, who didn’t have his best stuff early on, allowed the Angels to answer in the bottom of the inning. After David Fletcher hit a two-out single to right, Calhoun launched a two-run homer. The right fielder worked himself into a 3-1 count, which forced the right-hander to throw a predictable fastball.

Seeing Los Angeles chip away at the lead, Tampa Bay started to pull away in the fourth inning, consequently chasing Heaney. The left-hander was lifted after back-to-back one-out singles by Daniel Robertson, Adames, and Avisail Garcia which extended the lead to two. Luke Bard, who came on in relief of Heaney, uncorked a wild pitch before Adames scored on Pham’s grounder through the left side for a 6-3 lead.

Morton calmed down in the bottom of a pretty intense inning, which began with an Andrelton Simmons bloop single to left, and a Jared Walsh double off the top of the left-field wall. But, Morton fanned Rengifo for the first out before Travis Ward lined out to second, putting a damageless frame within reach. Finally, Kevan Smith grounded out to Morton, ending the threat and beginning a stretch nine consecutive outs by the right-hander.

After a quiet fifth inning, Tampa Bay added to the lead in the sixth when Guillermo Heredia homered to left off Bard, making it 7-3.

They weren’t done scoring. In the seventh inning, Pham walked against Taylor Cole then swiped second. Travis d’Arnaud singled him home, extending the advantage to five runs. Then in the eighth inning, Matt Duffy doubled to lead off the frame, Adames walked with two outs, and Garcia hit a two-RBI double to left-center for a 10-3 lead.

Meanwhile, Morton and Andrew Kittredge retired 14 consecutive batters before Calhoun homered in the eighth inning, capping the Angels scoring.

But the Rays answered one last time in the ninth when Johnny Davis, in his first big-league at-bat, tripled to left off reliever Jake Jewell.

Aguilar drove him home on a sacrifice fly to center.

All told, Tampa Bay collected 15 hits — seven for extra bases. All nine starters had at least one hit.

The New What Next

Tyler Glasnow (6-1, 2.15 ERA) will make his second start since returning from the IL, pitching opposite of Jaime Barria (4-8, 6.14 ERA).

Tyler Glasnow allowed two runs on one hit and two walks while striking out five across two innings against the Blue Jays on Sunday. Glasnow hit 99 and 100 mph in his return to the mound and only expected to pitch a couple of innings since returning from the IL Glasnow fanned the first three batters he faced before walking two and allowing a two-run home run in the second inning. On the positive side, the 26-year-old generated six swinging strikes. Glasnow has a 2.15 ERA and 60 strikeouts through nine starts this season.

Jaime Barria allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts across 4-1/3 innings against the White Sox on Sunday. Barria entered after an opener in the first inning and recorded the final out of that frame. He gave up two solo shots in the middle frames, but that’s about all over almost five innings. Barria owns a 6.14 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP with 66 strikeouts in 70-1/3 innings of work (16 appearances) including 10 starts this season. Barria relies primarily on an 84 mph slider and a 92 mph four-seam fastball with little natural movement, while also mixing in an 83 mph worm-killer changeup.

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

TNWN: Rays vs. Angels — a series preview, part two

Rays 9/14/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Wendle 3B
  2. Meadows RF
  3. Pham LF
  4. Choi 1B
  5. d’Arnaud C
  6. Lowe DH
  7. Sogard 2B
  8. Kiermaier CF
  9. Adames SS

Noteworthiness

— After a scoreless second rehab outing from left-hander Blake Snell, the Tampa Bay Rays deemed the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner ready to return from the IL in the upcoming series against the Dodgers.

Overall I was happy with it. It was a huge stride forward compared to the last start. I felt a lot more comfortable than I did. … A lot more in control of the fastball. … Still making strides. Still getting there. I definitely feel a lot more confident where I’m at right now.

— Blake Snell

Snell will likely be on a similar program to RHP Tyler Glasnow, throwing around 40 pitches and building from there.

— Per Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) Kevin Kiermaier said before the game he was “getting closer” to returning to the lineup, potentially Saturday, but still troubled, despite a series of chiropractic adjustments, by the neck strain that has idled him since Sunday. “Obviously I want to be out there,’’ he said. “I want to try to make it go away enough where I’m not putting myself at risk of losing another week.’’ He said throwing is the biggest issue, hitting has been tough and running is fine. He played the final three innings on Friday and said he felt good.

— Eric Sogard (bruised right foot) is aiming to rejoin the lineup tonight.

— Brandon Lowe (quad strain, leg bruise) and pitcher Yonny Chirinos (finger inflammation) are ramping up their workouts at Tropicana Field and as part of the instructional league in Port Charlotte. Both remain possibilities to return before the September 29 end of the regular season.

TNWN: Rays vs. Angels — a series preview, part two

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Angel Stadium of Anaheim, where the Rays will battle the Angels in a three-game series, starting Friday.

After winning just one of three in Arlington, the Tampa Bay Rays make their way to Anaheim, where they will begin a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, on Friday. The Angels were swept by Cleveland leading into the series.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

It was a rather inauspicious, if not disappointing, way to start the penultimate road trip of the season, dropping a series to the previously sub .500 Rangers. Even though the offense averaged 6.33 runs per game over the life of the series, the pitching staff allowed five or more runs in each of the final two contests against a team with a negative run differential. The Rays received a total of just four innings from Brendan McKay, Andrew Kittredge, and Jalen Beeks the last two days, adding pressure on the staff of relievers, even with expanded rosters.

Meanwhile, the Angels have gone without Cam Bedrosian, Justin Upton, Mike Trout (right foot nerve issue), and Shohei Otani (knee surgery), and it has shown. Los Angeles scored all of five runs over the last three games, and have won just two of the last 10. Over the last 14 days, the Angels have slashed a combined .222 BA/.310 OBP/.397 SLG/.707 OPS line with just an 87 wRC+. What’s more, the Angels have scored four runs or more in seven of their last 15.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Because of the losses, Tampa Bay can no longer claim the top AL Wildcard spot. The Rays also enter Anaheim 1/2 game behind Oakland and with a 1/2 game edge over Cleveland for the final playoff spot. A series win — or dare I say a series sweep — is crucial, especially since the Rays will make their way to Los Angeles for a two-game series against the Dodgers after this one wraps up.

At this point in the season, the Angels have nothing left to play for but pride, or to be spoilers…something they were incapable of doing against Cleveland. Can the Rays bounce back against Anaheim and remain relevant in the postseason chase?

The Rays split a four-game series against the Angels at Tropicana Field the last time the two teams met, in May.

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash will throw Charlie Morton (14-6, 3.11 ERA), Tyler Glasnow (6-1, 2.15 ERA), and Ryan Yarbough (11-3, 3.51 ERA) over the next three days. Brad Ausmus will counter with Andrew Heaney (4-4, 4.30 ERA), Jaime Barria (4-8, 6.14 ERA), and Patrick Sandoval (0-3, 5.28 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Charlie Morton struck out 10 while allowing three runs on five hits with two walks across six innings against the Blue Jays on Saturday. Morton collected 10 strikeouts for the third time in his last six outings, giving him 45 in 33-1/3 innings. The right-hander remains one victory shy of tying a career-high. He enters the series 14-6 with a 3.11 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and 219 strikeouts across 176-1/3 innings this season. Morton is 3-1 with a 4.31 ERA in eight career starts against the Angels.

Andrew Heaney allowed four runs on six hits across six innings against the White Sox on Saturday. He struck out eight. Heaney ran into trouble in the first and in the fifth innings, although he allowed just a single baserunner in his other four frames. The southpaw has had on and off shoulder and elbow trouble this season, yet he appears to be hitting his stride as the season down the stretch. Since returning from the IL on August 10, Heaney has posted a 3.28 ERA with a 7.67 K/BB across 35-2/3 innings. Heaney is 0-2 with a 2.65 ERA in three career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups:

Tyler Glasnow allowed two runs on one hit and two walks while striking out five across two innings against the Blue Jays on Sunday. Glasnow hit 99 and 100 mph in his return to the mound and only expected to pitch a couple of innings since returning from the IL Glasnow fanned the first three batters he faced before walking two and allowing a two-run home run in the second inning. On the positive side, the 26-year-old generated six swinging strikes. Glasnow has a 2.15 ERA and 60 strikeouts through nine starts this season.

Jaime Barria allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts across 4-1/3 innings against the White Sox on Sunday. Barria entered after an opener in the first inning and recorded the final out of that frame. He gave up two solo shots in the middle frames, but that’s about all over almost five innings. Barria owns a 6.14 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP with 66 strikeouts in 70-1/3 innings of work (16 appearances) including 10 starts this season. Barria relies primarily on an 84 mph slider and a 92 mph four-seam fastball with little natural movement, while also mixing in an 83 mph worm-killer changeup.

Ryan Yarbrough allowed three runs on three hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out seven on Tuesday against the Rangers. Texas struck for all three of its runs in the fourth inning, with the big blow being a two-run homer by Nick Solak. Yarbrough exited in line for his fourth loss of the season until the Rays tied things up in the top of the eighth. The left-hander will take a 3.51 ERA and a 7.3 K/BB through 128-1/3 innings into the start in the series finale.

Patrick Sandoval gave up three earned runs on five hits over 3-1/3 innings against Cleveland on Monday. He struck out four and walked two in the 6-2 loss. Sandoval didn’t have his best stuff, with most of the damage against him coming on a two-run homer by Jason Kipnis in the second inning. The 22-year-old has a respectable 2.62 K/BB across 29 innings, but his 5.28 ERA is unimpressive. Sandoval is also on a pitch count, so don’t expect him to pitch deeply in the ballgame on Sunday. He relies primarily on a 93 mph four-seam fastball and an 83 mph swing & miss changeup, while also mixing in a 77 mph 12-6 curveball and an 86 mph worm-killer slider.

Noteworthiness

— It isn’t clear if Kevin Kiermaier (neck spasms) will be back in the lineup. Kiermaier felt better yesterday after multiple chiropractic adjustments.

— Eric Sogard (bruised right foot) has not started in a week after fouling a ball off his foot on Friday.

— Ji-Man Choi reached base in 10 straight plate appearances, setting a franchise record.

— Blake Snell threw two perfect frames for Durham on Thursday, collecting three strikeouts on 28 pitches (19 strikes, 68% strike rate). Snell could appear in the series against the Dodgers.

— Yonny Chirinos will throw a simulated game on Monday, facing Brandon Lowe once again.

Rays look to bounce back from Wednesday’s stinging loss

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  • The Rays overcame a seven-run second inning, took a subsequent lead, then lost said lead late in the game last night. (Photo Credit: Texas Rangers)

After a stinging 10-9 loss against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Rays look to bounce back and win the series Tonight. The Rays have won 11 of 13 and still maintain a 1/2 game lead over the Athletics in the AL Wildcard race.

Cleveland starts the day a game back as both teams (Cleveland and Oakland) won their respective contests last night. The Rays can make up ground on both teams with a win tonight. The Athletics will play one last game in Houston against Justin Verlander, while Cleveland has the night off.

FanGraphs gives Tampa Bay a reduced 71.4% chance of a postseason berth (down 12.4% over yesterday), while Baseball Prospectus gives them an even more favorable, albeit reduced, 85.2% chance of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

Expect reinforcements. Avisail Garcia (glute strain) and Tommy Pham (elbow/forearm tightness) are back in right and left field, respectively, tonight with a southpaw on the mound.

The New What Next

Brendan McKay (2-3, 5.05 ERA) will get the start for the Rays tonight, pitching opposite of Kolby Allard (4-0, 3.78 ERA).

Brendan McKay struck out seven and allowed just one hit across 3-2/3 scoreless frames on 59 pitches (37 strikes, 63% strike rate). The 23-year-old didn’t pitch deeply enough to capture the win, yet he was impressive, fanning seven of the 12 batters he faced, and retiring nine consecutive batters before he exited the ballgame. The outing snaps a cold spell for the left-hander, although he is still 2-3 with a 5.03 ERA.

Kolby Allard gave up one earned run on eight hits across 6-1/3 innings against the Orioles, while striking out two and walking two. Locked in a pitcher’s duel with John Means, Allard got the better of it despite having to work his way around 10 baserunners. The 22-year-old lowered his ERA to 3.78, to go along with a 1.38 WHIP and a 2.64 K/BB across 33-1/3 big-league innings on the season. Allard relies primarily on a four-seam fastball natural sinking action and an 88 mph worm-burner cutter, while also mixing in an 81 mph changeup.

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

TNWN: Rays vs Rangers — a series preview, part two

Rays 9/12/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Garcia CF
  2. Meadows RF
  3. Pham LF
  4. Choi 1B
  5. Aguilar DH
  6. Duffy 3B
  7. Wendle 2B
  8. Robertson SS
  9. Zunino C

Noteworthiness

— Blake Snell will throw two innings or 30 pitches (whichever comes first) for Triple-A Durham tonight. If all goes well, his next appearance could be for Tampa Bay when they face the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

TNWN: Rays look for a series win on Wednesday; pre-game notes

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  • Globe Life Park, home of the Tampa Bay Rays’ latest come-from-behind wins. The Rays beat the Rangers on Tuesday, 5-3. (Photo Credit: Texas Rangers)

After a come-from-behind, 5-3, win over the Texas Rangers in 11 innings on Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays look to continue their terrific run tonight.

At 28-games over .500, Tampa Bay (87-59) has won six consecutive games, and 11 of 12 to maintain their lead in the AL Wildcard race. The Rays enter play 1-1/2 games ahead of the Athletics for the top Wildcard spot, and two games in front of Cleveland for the final AL playoff spot.

FanGraphs gives Tampa Bay an 83.6% chance of a postseason berth, while Baseball Prospectus gives them an even more favorable 92.0% chance of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

In spite of the positive outcomes, the Rays are still banged up, especially on the position player side of things. Tommy Pham (sore right elbow/forearm) is back in the lineup, yet Avisail Garcia exited Tuesday’s contest with right hip tightness. He is listed as day-to-day. And while Eric Sogard pinch-hit last night — his first appearance since he fouled a ball off his foot on Friday — neither he nor Kevin Kiermaier (neck spasms) are in tonight’s lineup (below).

What’s more, Hoby Milner (cervical nerve issue) has been placed on the 60-day Injured List. Milner is the 24th different Ray to go on the IL. Due to the injuries, outfielder Johnny Davis has been promoted from Durham. Davis was signed out of the Mexican League (in late August), where he swiped 54 bases. He later stole three bases with Double-A Montgomery.

The addition of Davis could be fun heading into the home stretch of the regular and into the playoffs.

The New What Next

Andrew Kittredge (1-0, 4.17 ERA) will get the start for the Rays and could be followed by Jalen Beeks (6-3, 4.32 ERA) or Austin Pruitt. They’ll be opposed by Ariel Jurado (7-10, 5.40 ERA).

Andrew Kittredge, who threw two perfect innings in relief on Friday against Toronto, will open his seventh game of the season.

Jalen Beeks allowed four hits over three scoreless innings against Cleveland two Saturdays ago. He struck out one and walked none. Beeks worked as the primary pitcher but entered the game with a runner on first base in the second inning. He ended up with his shortest outing since June 21 even though he did not allow a run. Beeks has a 4.41 ERA on the season, with a 1.48 WHIP and a 2.16 K/BB across 98 innings on the season. With the plethora of bullpen options available right now, the southpaw will likely be on a very short leash.

Ariel Jurado allowed five runs on seven hits over four innings during against the Yankees on Tuesday. He struck out three. Edinson Volquez worked as the opener and allowed two runs. Jurado fired four scoreless frames before he fell apart in the sixth inning when he allowed five hits — including two homers — and recording zero put-outs. The 23-year-old has a 5.40 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP, and a 2.29 K/BB over 116-2/3 innings on the season. Jurado relies primarily on a 92 mph sinker with some natural sinking action and a 93 mph four-seam fastball, while also mixing in an 86 mph 12-6 slider, a firm 85 mph changeup with armside fade, and a hard 81 mph 12-6 curveball.

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

TNWN: Rays vs Rangers — a series preview, part two

Rays 9/11/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Wendle 2B
  2. Pham DH
  3. Meadows LF
  4. d’Arnaud C
  5. Choi 1B
  6. Duffy 3B
  7. Wong RF
  8. Heredia CF
  9. Adames SS

Noteworthiness

— Yonny Chirinos will throw a 20 pitch/one inning (whichever comes first) simulated game for the instructional league in Port Charlotte today. Brandon Lowe, who’s been sidelined with a quad issue, will face Chirinos.

— Blake Snell, who threw a bullpen session yesterday in Arlington, will throw two innings or 30 pitches for Triple-A Durham tomorrow. If all goes as planned, Snell could pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers after that. Durham is the only Rays affiliate remaining in the postseason.

— Hmmm, sigh…

I love when people extol the virtues of open-air stadiums, opining one should be built in Tampa (or St. Pete). Yet the always tend to forget two things:

1. Thanks to climate change, the region will be marginally warmer, and 9.1 inches of precipitation wetter in the near future, leading to maximum fan discomfort and lots of rain delays/postponements.

2. TAMPA CANNOT AFFORD TO BUILD A NEW STADIUM, HENCE THE REASON THE RAYS PULLED THE PLUG ON THE DEAD FROM THE START YBOR PROPOSAL.

It’s even funnier when people who work in the local media promote such ideas via their Twitter feeds, not realizing (and/or caring) that they are tacitly advocating for the public subsidization of a baseball stadium on behalf of a newspaper which, in all honesty, should be shining light on such things. And so it goes.