Looking Backward While Moving Forward: On Jason Bourgeois

As much as I’d like to harp on Hellickson or the Rays inconsistent offense that couldn’t get much started Wednesday night, I’m going to focus on something else, Jason Bourgeois — more specifically, why he’s still on the 25-man roster. He, after all, misplayed another ball in the outfield for the second time in three games. Though tonight’s fielding geek wouldn’t prove costly, and though he was fairly productive at the plate, I’d argue that he’s here (instead of Brandon Gomes who was sent down on the 20th) for a few reasons — the biggest being that he’s out of options and the Rays don’t want to lose organizational depth by running Bourgeois through waivers. One should consider the depth in Triple-A Durham. With Brandon Guyer on the DL, the Rays are left with career minor leaguer Rich Thompson, and Gary Busey lookalike Shelley Duncan.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Win 7-4, Take Series (Updated)

For better or worse, gritty games have become par for the course for the Tampa Bay Rays over the last week or so. Nevertheless, a wise man once said, “A win, is a win, is a win.” The Rays won a hard fought 7-4 game against the Orioles Tuesday night — marking their fourth consecutive win and their third consecutive series win. The Rays success can largely be credited to the pitching staff, helmed by Alex Cobb, and a huge five-run ninth inning.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Beat O’s 4-3 (Updated)

Let’s take a trip back in time. We’ll set the time machine to June 7th 2012 when the Rays faced the Yankees in the Bronx, with David Price on the mound. Price faced a formidable challenge on that hot, summer, night — in a game where the Yankees kept their collective feet on the throat …

The New What Next: Rays vs. O’s, A Series Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays finished off the Blue Jays in grandiose fashion Sunday afternoon, with Jose Lobaton mashing his second career walk-off hit — a one run blast to right-field in the bottom of the tenth. Both career walk-offs came in this series. And what a series it was for Jose Lobaton. In the two games he started, Lobi went 4-8 with a triple, homer, run, and three runs batted in. The Rays overall production dropped between the Mariners and Blue Jays’ series, however we saw what could be construed as a return to form for Jeremy Hellickson (who’ll be pitching Wednesday night) and Chris Archer. Tampa Bay closed out its six game home stand with a 4-2 record ahead of their upcoming three-game road trip against the third place Orioles.