What’s the Point?
Jorge Velandia was added to the Rays once again from Cleveland for cash considerations. Unlike what you may have heard from MLB.com, he will not be added to the 40-man roster and will stay in Durham for depth in case of injuries to Aki or JB. I don’t see a point to this trade, but it doesn’t really matter. You’re not giving up much and he could be used for limited production down the stretch for the Bulls or the Rays.
Teams Taking Advantage of BJ?
Have AL teams started taking advantage of BJ? It is now known that BJ doesn’t hustle after his benching, since Mark Texiera ran him down. Now even the slowest people in the league are running on him with AJ Pierzynski. Rightly so, since he decides to lolipop a throw in. The out, would’ve won us the game. The rundown would’ve never happened and AJ wouldn’t have scored. Unless he learns his lesson, he could find himself cut, or in the minors. He is a great player and I love to watch him. I would love to see him in a Tampa Bay uniform for years to come, if he can figure out how to play the right way. He would be a superstar if he plays his hardest. He could be a 30-30 or even 40-40 guy. He is just a liability right now in the middle of the pennant race. What do you think?
DR (RaysArchive)
Rays vs. White Sox 8/24 GDT
probable pitchers:
Andy Sonnanstine
(13-6) 4.37
vs.
Mark Buehrle
(11-10) 3.91
OF NOTE:
Rocco Baldelli is a career 3 for 7 against Buehrle, the best on the team.
Mark Buehrle is 6-2 with a 4.39 ERA lifetime aginst the Rays
Player to Watch:
Andy Sonnanstine: The last time Buehrle went up against Andy, it was the shortest game in Tropicana Field history. Andy pitched a gem, lasting all nine and pitching a shutout.
What to Expect:
Expect a close game. These two are basically the same pitcher. Look for a quick game that is very low scoring. This game could very well be decided with one swing of the bat.
NEW!! Live Blog
just click on the link to join.
<iframe src=”http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php?option=com_altcaster&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=ec4586edb5&height=550&width=470” scrolling=”no” height=”550px” width=”470px” frameBorder=”0″ ></iframe>
Rays Fantasy Football
I have created a Yahoo fantasy football survival pick’em league for the Rays fan community. If you want to join, sign up.
League ID:12482
League Name: Rays Fans Football
Password: rays.
If you want me to email you an invite, leave your email in a comment.
Hope you can join!
Front Office Spotlight: Andrew Friedman
Andrew Friedman has been the genius behind the Rays success this year. The trade for Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza was BRILLIANT as shown Friday night. Converting JP into a reliever has worked GREAT. The trade for Grant Balfour last year was OUTSTANDING. What did Seth McClung ever do for us? Grant Balfour is only our closer through the playoffs. Seth McClung never helped us. Grant Balfour has been lights out. He has done a great job getting rid of the CRAP the LaMar era brought in. He could’ve brought Longo up earlier but it worked out. Even recently, I prefer Chad Bradford a lot more than Al Reyes. Reyes had just been going down hill. From the last spotlight, you know how much I like Gabe Gross. He has been one of the biggest parts in our success.
BRAVO ANDREW FRIEDMAN!!!
We will win for years to come.
Marathon Game
(photo by Marcio Jose Lopez/ AP)
After 12 innings, the Rays finally pulled out of Oakland a winner. The final score was 7 to 6. They pulled it out thanks to a homer by Carlos, a great game by Willy, and a diving catch by Rocco who is once again putting his body on the line. The Rays leave Oakland winning their final two games of the series and taking another series. Last night really hurt our bullpen. Every pitcher from the bullpen pitched. Hopefully Matt Garza can go at least seven maybe eight innings to give the bullpen a night off. The only rested pitcher is newly called up Juan Salas, who will replace Troy Percival.
Ibanez Anyone?
Raul Ibanez has been claimed off waivers. Most likely by an AL team. Could the Rays be the team? Ibanez would be a huge improvement over Cliff Floyd and he can actually field. He also is a better hitter. Jarrod Washburn was also claimed, but not by the Yankees, the team that reportedly was going after him at the deadline.
He’s Back
Rocco Baldelli is back, but not for a good reason. Carl Crawford was placed on the 15 day DL because of ligament damage in his hand. The diagnosis is 6 to 8 weeks. The injury could be season ending if he has to have surgery. We can hope he will be back in time for the postseason.
8/10 Game Thread
Pitchers:
Edwin Jackson
(8-7) 4.22 ERA
vs.
R.A. Dickey
(3-6) 4.36
Price to Durham
He’s getting closer to us. David Price has earned his well deserved callup to AAA. We’ll see how it goes there and he could be up with us very shortly.
70 is a great number
The Rays pulled out yet another come from behind win. After being behind 5-0 after 3, we powered past the Mariners 8-7 on a Dioner Navarro Sac fly
Player Spotlight: Mr. Clutch
From his game winning double against the Cubbies to his spectacular game-tying homer in the ninth on Wednesday against the Tribe, Gabe Gross has come through in the best of times. He has definately earned the nickname “Mr. Clutch” this year. I think he has played well enough to earn an everyday roll in right, but then you don’t have anywhere for Eric Hinske. When Gabe Gross pinch-hits or gets his occasional start, he makes the most of it. A typical 8th inning defensive replacement has turned into a more than reliable pinch-hitter. Congrats Gabe, and thanks for the great finishes.
Reyes DFA’d
Al Reyes was inevitably released to make room for newly acquired Chad Bradford. He hasn’t been the same pitcher this year as he was last year.
Rays vs. Mariners 8/9 Game Thread
Pitchers:
Matt Garza
(9-7) 3.70
vs.
Ryan Rowland-Smith
(2-1) 3.44
devlrays911
Recent Comments