DRay's In-Depth Analysis of the Tampa Bay Rays..

[DRays82]

Jackson didnt look good today in his loss to the Reds. Edwin pitched 4 innings and gave up 6 runs, 2 BB's and 0 K. I felt he had improved on last year, but maybe not.


-- Upton had another 2b today, and his 5th RBI.

- Hinske is having a great ST hitting .500 now and 5 rbi's. He should do well in the right fields triangle.

- 4 errors today, all by players who will not start.




Hammell pitches tomorrow for the Rays, problably will get 3-4 innings in. Ill be on the Indians tomorrow.

 

[Budworth22]

Jackson didnt look good today in his loss to the Reds. Edwin pitched 4 innings and gave up 6 runs, 2 BB's and 0 K. I felt he had improved on last year, but maybe not.


-- Upton had another 2b today, and his 5th RBI.

- Hinske is having a great ST hitting .500 now and 5 rbi's. He should do well in the right fields triangle.

- 4 errors today, all by players who will not start.




Hammell pitches tomorrow for the Rays, problably will get 3-4 innings in. Ill be on the Indians tomorrow.

His defense seriously let him down.

 

[DRays82]

Rays lose 12-10. Had the Indians today, but no chance to post it here.



Hammell -- 3 IP 9 ER 3 BB 2 K..Stated before, Hammell was done in his first stint of ST. Did not look good today. He will probably be cut in the first sweep.

-- Upton 1-1 with 3 RBI's, including a homer. Has 8 rbi's now in 10 games hitting .412

-- Longoria was 2-5 with a rbi. He is hitting .375 so far.




Shields pitching tomorrow. Will be on the Rays tomorrow.

 

[Budworth22]

Here is the projected lineup from theinsidepitch.com.

Active Roster:
C Dioner Navarro
1B Carlos Pena
2B Akinori Iwamura
SS Jason Bartlett
3B Evan Longoria
LF Carl Crawford
CF B.J. Upton
RF Rocco Baldelli
DH Cliff Floyd

BC Shawn Riggans
IF Willy Aybar
IF Joel Guzman
IF Ben Zobrist
OF Jonny Gomes

1SP Scott Kazmir lhp
2SP Matt Garza
3SP James Shields
4SP Andrew Sonnanstine
5SP Edwin Jackson

CL Troy Percival
CL Al Reyes
RH Dan Wheeler
LH Kurt Birkins lhp
MID Gary Glover
MID J.P. Howell lhp
​

I like it. That we have 2 stoppers is very important, and I love Garza this year. Wheeler is another nice bullpen weapon. I am very much in favor of using a 6 man rotation, to slowly work the young arms in at the back end. Sort of a rewards based system, periodically throughout the year.
​

 

[DRays82]

If Hinske keeps this up in ST, he will be starting in RF. Rocco is done in my mind. He is a glass player. Floyd is also suspect to injuries over the season. Hinske will get the most AB's I feel. Hopefully this good start can carry over into the regular season.

 

[barman]

Just saw this thread and am right on board with ya on the RideDevilRaysInApril strategy

Thrilled my wife...(uh huh) today when I told her that for at least the next eight weeks I'm putting $5 on Rays to win the AL instead of buying a weekly five $1 picks in Florida Lotto.

Currently sits at 60to1 (Betjam) and I'm pretty sure I'm willing to put up at least $50 until they do what they're most likely to do and show they can't compete for a wild card.

I personally preview Ed Jackson as being a more usable SP this season and also like the chances of Neimann being in rotation soon. That could make for a very real five man starting staff compared to the 2.5 man starting staff they had most of last season.

If the American League stays reasonably competitive, 92 wins might make the Wild Card.

 

[barman]

UPDATE from today is that Rocco Baldelli is done...finito...no mas.

It would certainly be useful to add another OF with legit defensive skills and better yet, some wheels. So far, there appears to be some hope - at least within DRays management - that Ben Zobrist might be that guy.

 

[DRays82]

UPDATE from today is that Rocco Baldelli is done...finito...no mas.

It would certainly be useful to add another OF with legit defensive skills and better yet, some wheels. So far, there appears to be some hope - at least within DRays management - that Ben Zobrist might be that guy.

Too bad he will be out for sometime with that injury. Was having a nice spring.


Rays 9-3 now. Andy looked good from boxscore it seems. Will be watching game tomorrow, or at least listening to it.

 

[bullring]

Rays fuckin blow.

 

[DRays82]

Rays fuckin blow.

You sure do provide some quality information for the forum.

 

[Gator627]

I have been waiting for a couple years for the Rays to get over the hump. FWIW, I waited a couple years for the Indians to make it over the hump....

 

[high_roller]

Rays have NO chance in AL East

I have been waiting for a couple years for the Rays to get over the hump. FWIW, I waited a couple years for the Indians to make it over the hump....

Kazmir is a stud but with him being out most of April or more it would be a miricle if they can go .500 in April. I do like the Garza move and Shields is a quality starter but that's about all the Rays have in the rotation that I like.

The Pen will be a huge improvement with Perci. I also like Trever Miller who is a very underated lefty.

The Rays also have a FUTURE All Star in 3B Evan Longoria. This kid is an awesome fielder and has the perfect attitude. Unfortuantly he is back down in the minors but give him time and he will be a Star.

Overall I don't see the Rays getting out of the basement in the AL East but they will only get better if Ownership can keep this team in place. Future is bright for this team.

Good Luck Rays,

High Roller

 

[Gator627]

I dont see an AL East champ either but I do see them making a real run at the wild card.

Ill predict them fizzling out, though and go with a 80-82 record.

 

[DRays82]

I dont see an AL East champ either but I do see them making a real run at the wild card.

Ill predict them fizzling out, though and go with a 80-82 record.

I got them at 79 wins myself. I thought they would come out fast in April..with Kazmir hurt, just gonna have to choose my spots.

 

[trentmoney]

not to throw cold water on your fire, but i took rays u77 -125

i do see a lot of improvement but they went 66-96 30 games under last yr... for me to win my bet they go 76-86 10 games under... that's a lot of improvement and still under 77

their set-up and closer are 38 and 37 yrs old and i wouldn't expect them to be buyers at the trade deadline...

they play in one of the toughest divisions in baseball and in a tougher league as well... they certainly have the red sox and yankees attention, so don't plan on sneaking up on either one... plus w/ kazmir out in april and maybe only going 5/6 innings first few starts when he comes back

i do think they're on the uptick but there's a big difference btw 72 wins and 77 wins for a team that won 66 last year

good luck
:toast:

 

[barman]

Kazmir has by no means ruled "out for April"

I wouldn't be surprised to see him pitching by Apr 14 or 19th (April 9 is the first day he "might" start based on a five man rotation and the Devil Rays one day off in first 21 days.

 

[5teamparlay]

4-25-08:

Crawford, who has a 12-game hitting streak, tripled and scored on Upton’s sacrifice fly in the first and Tampa Bay trimmed Boston’s lead to 3-2 on Evan Longoria’s RBI single in the third.

12-11 ON THE YEAR, SO FAR i'LL TAKE IT AS A LOCAL SUPPORTER OF THIS TEAM.

 

[DRays82]

4-25-08:


12-11 ON THE YEAR, SO FAR i'LL TAKE IT AS A LOCAL SUPPORTER OF THIS TEAM.

I am loving this team, the heart they put in every game. 4 in a row now, with having to come back in every one to win. Jackson pitches tomorrow with a very very short BP..not the best situation.

Maybe Jackson pitches a gem, but I have faded him the last 3 times..

 

[homedawg]

post #49 is my favorite.

Barman did you ever cash that ticket?

Overall an interesting look back.

Congrats DRays82

 

[knucklecup]

yup, bullring is an idiot.