Rise of the Rays

The Rays are not a losing team. Friedman has built a winner, so why do we keep losing? Nobody knows. The Rays have also lost 15 straight at Progressive Field, the Indians ballpark, dating back to 2005. Now, onto the game:

I reference this more for amusement than anything else, I hope.  Gordon Edes of Yahoo! Sports speculates that the Rays will be in a market for a closer.  He provides Jose Valverde of the Astros as the possible target and suggests Wade Davis as the most likely return.  No thanks, I’ll pass. And, as expected, [...]

David Huff gets another another start for the Indians, his third of the season and second against the Rays.  His ERA is an astronomical 17.55 and his WHIP is 2.85.  That’s just under three base runners per inning.  Back on May 17 at the Trop, the Rays scored seven runs in 3 2/3 innings against [...]

AAA – The roster shuffling may finally be catching up to Durham as the Bulls were beaten by Rochester 5-2.  James Houser was the starting pitcher, going five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks.  Chad Orvella picked up his first loss in relief, allowing three runs in three innings work.  At the plate, [...]

First there was Pat Burrell and his stiff neck.  When Troy Percival and Scott Kazmir went on the disabled list, many fans welcomed it.  It was clear that something was wrong and negatively impacting their performance.  Then, the Rays lose Aki for the season on a hard baseball play at second.  We’re left to wonder who can [...]

Carlos Pena has struck out 59 times.  Second most in baseball.  BJ Upton, 52 times.  Add them up.  111 strike outs from two of  the first four in the batting order.  Let’s not stop there.  Evan Longoria has 44.  Now we’re up to 155.  Three Rays in the bottom 17 of the strikeout list.  No other [...]

Only the Rays could lose a 10-0 lead. Only one of the famous Rays bullpens could give up 7 in an inning. There is not much to say about this one and I am not going to go into depth like I usually do. That was just SO BAD.

The season of mediocrity has hit a new low.  Build a 10-0 lead and knock out your opponent’s starting pitcher after four outs only to lose 11-10.  Rays fans expected more from this team.  Why shouldn’t we?  Young team.  American League pennant under their belts.  World Series experience.  It will be easy to blame the bullpen.  After [...]

Carl Pavano makes his tenth start of the season, second against the Rays.  He is 4-4 with a 6.10 ERA for the season to-date.  At the Trop on May 16, he started strong, but lasted only five innings giving up three runs on six hits.  Overall, this will be his 10th start against the Rays.  [...]