Interesting schedule quirk.
The Rays, like the Sox, have been world-beaters at home (Tampa Bay, 36-14, Sox, 35-11), which makes the following piece of information of more than passing interest: After Aug. 7, the Rays play just 19 games at home, and finish the season with eight on the road.
The Sox, meanwhile, play 25 games at home after Aug. 7, including their last seven.
wil..
The Rays, like the Sox, have been world-beaters at home (Tampa Bay, 36-14, Sox, 35-11), which makes the following piece of information of more than passing interest: After Aug. 7, the Rays play just 19 games at home, and finish the season with eight on the road.
The Sox, meanwhile, play 25 games at home after Aug. 7, including their last seven.
wil..
Since the Wild Card has come to play, 68% of the teams leading their division at the All-Star Break have won their division.
You are right Bookie. Teams don't win divisions in June, but you can lose them. Look at the 0-8 start Detroit had. May be too much for them to overcome. Their pitching is horrible, with no signs of coming around.
You are right Bookie. Teams don't win divisions in June, but you can lose them. Look at the 0-8 start Detroit had. May be too much for them to overcome. Their pitching is horrible, with no signs of coming around.
This may help explain it:
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 282pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=376 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 144pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 7021" width=192><COL style="WIDTH: 113pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 5522" width=151><COL style="WIDTH: 25pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1206" width=33><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl23 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 144pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=192 height=17>2008 MLB Payroll Rankings</TD><TD class=xl23 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 113pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=151>2008 AL East Standings</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 25pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=33></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17></TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">GB</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17></TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>1. Yankees $209,081,579</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"> Tampa Bay Rays</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">--</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>4. Red Sox $133,440,037</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"> Boston Red Sox</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>0.5</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>12. Blue Jays $98,641,957</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"> New York Yankees</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>5.5</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>22. Orioles $67,196,248</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"> Toronto Blue Jays</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>9.5</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>29. Rays $43,820,598</TD><TD class=xl29 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"> Baltimore Orioles</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>9.5</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The Rays will still make the playoffs. They simply have too good of a team not too. Give me them in a 7 game series vs the Yankees every time. Kazmir, Shields, and possibly Price in the playoffs? Absolutely nasty. Longoria is also the second best 3B in the AL after only A-Rod.
Give me a break bookie. No one is that cynical, are they?. This might also help explain it:
Year League Record Finish/Rank Manager
2008 AL East 55-38 (.591) 1 Joe Maddon
2007 AL East 66-96 (.407) 5 Joe Maddon
2006 AL East 61-101 (.377) 5 Joe Maddon
2005 AL East 67-95 (.414) 5 Lou Piniella
2004 AL East 70-91 (.435) 4 Lou Piniella
2003 AL East 63-99 (.389) 5 Lou Piniella
2002 AL East 55-106 (.342) 5 Hal McRae
2001 AL East 62-100 (.383) 5 Larry Rothschild and Hal McRae
2000 AL East 69-92 (.429) 5 Larry Rothschild
1999 AL East 69-93 (.426) 5 Larry Rothschild
1998 AL East 63-99 (.389) 5 Larry Rothschild
Year League Record Finish/Rank Manager
2008 AL East 55-38 (.591) 1 Joe Maddon
2007 AL East 66-96 (.407) 5 Joe Maddon
2006 AL East 61-101 (.377) 5 Joe Maddon
2005 AL East 67-95 (.414) 5 Lou Piniella
2004 AL East 70-91 (.435) 4 Lou Piniella
2003 AL East 63-99 (.389) 5 Lou Piniella
2002 AL East 55-106 (.342) 5 Hal McRae
2001 AL East 62-100 (.383) 5 Larry Rothschild and Hal McRae
2000 AL East 69-92 (.429) 5 Larry Rothschild
1999 AL East 69-93 (.426) 5 Larry Rothschild
1998 AL East 63-99 (.389) 5 Larry Rothschild
Red Sox sneak into 1st in AL East at All Star break with 2-1 win over Orioles.
Boston Red Sox 57 40
Tampa Bay Rays 55 39 .5
New York Yankees 50 45 5.5
The Drays lost their last seven on the road to give up a 5 game lead after sweeping the Red Sox in Tampa to start the month out.
DiceK somehow is 10-1 on the season, which is a hell of a record given his control difficulties.
The lead at The All Star break is nice but really doesn't mean a lot when it is only half a game.
Should be a great 2nd half all over baseball. The Cubs and Red Sox both have 57 wins to lead baseball (Cubs have the better record with two less losses). The Angels can reach 57 wins if they win their in progress game with Oakland.
wil.
Boston Red Sox 57 40
Tampa Bay Rays 55 39 .5
New York Yankees 50 45 5.5
The Drays lost their last seven on the road to give up a 5 game lead after sweeping the Red Sox in Tampa to start the month out.
DiceK somehow is 10-1 on the season, which is a hell of a record given his control difficulties.
The lead at The All Star break is nice but really doesn't mean a lot when it is only half a game.
Should be a great 2nd half all over baseball. The Cubs and Red Sox both have 57 wins to lead baseball (Cubs have the better record with two less losses). The Angels can reach 57 wins if they win their in progress game with Oakland.
wil.
While talent-wise they are clearly a playoff team, they just won't have the experience down the stretch to make it this season. When September rolls around, it will be the Red Sox and Yankees who have the edge in advancing to the playoffs, because they have been there before. I think the Rays have a much better shot next season.
The real key regarding schedules between the two teams are where they play down the stretch. The Rays only won more road games than two teams in the AL so far this season - Seattle and Cleveland both last place teams.
The Rays, like the Sox, have been world-beaters at home (Tampa Bay, 36-14, Sox, 36-11), which makes the following piece of information of more than passing interest: After Aug. 7, the Rays play just 19 games at home, and finish the season with eight on the road.
The Sox, meanwhile, play 25 games at home after Aug. 7, including their last seven.
The Sox will most likely beef up their bullpen by the July 31st trading deadline. They will most likely focus on veteran bullpen help - preferably a lefthander such as Brian Fuentes, Damaso Marte, or Ron Mahay. With a eye out for Shortstop and catching help.
Unless the bullpen improves in the next two weeks look for a deal for one of those three mentioned above or flamethrower Rafael Betancourt of the Indians who after a tremendous season in 2007 is struggling along with the rest of the Indians this year and may be available.
wil..
The Rays, like the Sox, have been world-beaters at home (Tampa Bay, 36-14, Sox, 36-11), which makes the following piece of information of more than passing interest: After Aug. 7, the Rays play just 19 games at home, and finish the season with eight on the road.
The Sox, meanwhile, play 25 games at home after Aug. 7, including their last seven.
The Sox will most likely beef up their bullpen by the July 31st trading deadline. They will most likely focus on veteran bullpen help - preferably a lefthander such as Brian Fuentes, Damaso Marte, or Ron Mahay. With a eye out for Shortstop and catching help.
Unless the bullpen improves in the next two weeks look for a deal for one of those three mentioned above or flamethrower Rafael Betancourt of the Indians who after a tremendous season in 2007 is struggling along with the rest of the Indians this year and may be available.
wil..
