That’s more like it.  Going 4-2 against the Red Sox and Orioles is a step in the right direction for the Rays.  They now head off into a tricky 7-game road trip against AL East rivals Yankees, Red Sox and Orioles.  First up is a visit to the new Yankee Stadium for a quick 2-game series. 

The stats that some Rays batters are putting up so far this season is impressive.  After 28 games, these Rays have set quite a pace if they continue on the same path.  Pretty incredible.

RBI – Evan Longoria has 34.  On a pace for 196.

HR – Carlos Pena has 11.  On a pace for 63. 

SB – Carl Crawford has 19.  On a pace for 110. 

It appears the Rays will just miss A-Rod’s return.  All signs point to a weekend return against Baltimore.

Jorge Posada was placed on the 15-day DL with a right hamstring strain.  For the Rays, is that a good thing or a bad thing?  In the Yankees trip to the Trop, it appeared that the Rays could run wild on Posada while slowing down a little bit against Jose Molina.  But, on the flip side, having Posada’s bat out of the lineup can’t hurt.

The Rays vacation from left-handed starting pitching ends Thursday when they meet up against Andy Pettitte.  They will have played eight straight against right-handed pitching, the last time dating back to April 28 in Minneapolis against Francisco Liriano.  So far, the Rays are 1-8 against left-handed starters.