Tampa Bay Rays Thread

[Jilali]

Ouch. Crawford and Longoria--their two best field players and bats. That's going to be tough to overcome.

Not to mention I've got Longoria on my fant. team. Lucky I just traded away Crawford!

[Brick Tamland]

Without Crawford and Longoria, this should get interesting. Can this team overcome adversity? If they can hold on, it will only make them stronger in the playoffs.

[4bronxbombers]

Crawford and Longoria out....this should be interesting to see what happens. They still have good starting pitching though.

[Sixty one]

Glad to see Baldelli back today when I went to the game. He has been through quite a bit and there were some in the crowd that recognized that and applauded him as he came up to bat.

I hope he stays healthy. He had a tremendous career ahead of him and hopefully, this latest problem is over and he can be productive again. I'd still like to see him patrolling centerfield for the Yankees.

[Vin]

Now Maddon knows what happens when he takes out our catcher

[teknetic]

Looks like Crawford might be done for the year. Needs surgery on his hand; out 6-8 weeks.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[Rice14]

Crawford has elected to have surgery, likely out rest of regular season.


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3532847

[TW9]

Crawford has elected to have surgery, likely out rest of regular season.


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3532847

I think the Longoria and Crawford injuries will sink the D-Rays. I expect Boston to reel them in within the next 2-3 weeks. The Red Sox have their own problems with Wakefield and Lowell due to miss some time and Papi's wrist being a constant concern. The D-Rays starters have been faultering of late..Garza and Jackson have been pretty bad and Kazmir is a 5 IP. Shields has been their best starter... The Red Sox, even with their injuries, have the best starting 3 in the division. Beckett, Matsuzaka, and Lester have all been pitching very well lately and all but guarantee the Sox will not have an extended losing streak. Okajima and Papelbon have been lights out as of late and give the Sox an advantage over any other combo in the division in terms of closing out games.

The Red Sox will win this division....The Rays will battle the White Sox/Minn loser for the WC. The Yankees COULD get back into it IF Chamberlain and Hughes come back strong and somebody steps up to bridge the gap to MO...

[Brick Tamland]

I think the Longoria and Crawford injuries will sink the D-Rays. I expect Boston to reel them in within the next 2-3 weeks. The Red Sox have their own problems with Wakefield and Lowell due to miss some time and Papi's wrist being a constant concern. The D-Rays starters have been faultering of late..Garza and Jackson have been pretty bad and Kazmir is a 5 IP. Shields has been their best starter... The Red Sox, even with their injuries, have the best starting 3 in the division. Beckett, Matsuzaka, and Lester have all been pitching very well lately and all but guarantee the Sox will not have an extended losing streak. Okajima and Papelbon have been lights out as of late and give the Sox an advantage over any other combo in the division in terms of closing out games.

The Red Sox will win this division....The Rays will battle the White Sox/Minn loser for the WC. The Yankees COULD get back into it IF Chamberlain and Hughes come back strong and somebody steps up to bridge the gap to MO...

I could see that happening but I think the Rays will show more resiliance than you think. They are in unfimiliar territory right new being in first but Maddon is a very good manager and he's going to get everything he can out of these kids down the stretch and he certainly has them believing in themselves. Should make for an entertaining finish.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

Looks like Crawford might be done for the year. Needs surgery on his hand; out 6-8 weeks.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Yikes. Looks like Baldelli, if he can be productive at all, came back at just the right time.

[THEBOSS84]

Yikes. Looks like Baldelli, if he can be productive at all, came back at just the right time.

Too bad for Baldelli, I really feel bad for this guy:

Rocco Baldelli left Thursday's game after sliding awkwardly at home plate.

That didn't take long. There's no word on the severity, but for now, Jason Bartlett went in at short with Ben Zobrist headed out to left and Justin Ruggiano to right.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

Too bad for Baldelli, I really feel bad for this guy:

Wow, hopefully it's nothing too serious.

[Mr. Mxylsplk]

That guy needs to live in a rubber room.

[VanHalen5150]

I think the Longoria and Crawford injuries will sink the D-Rays. I expect Boston to reel them in within the next 2-3 weeks. The Red Sox have their own problems with Wakefield and Lowell due to miss some time and Papi's wrist being a constant concern. The D-Rays starters have been faultering of late..Garza and Jackson have been pretty bad and Kazmir is a 5 IP. Shields has been their best starter... The Red Sox, even with their injuries, have the best starting 3 in the division. Beckett, Matsuzaka, and Lester have all been pitching very well lately and all but guarantee the Sox will not have an extended losing streak. Okajima and Papelbon have been lights out as of late and give the Sox an advantage over any other combo in the division in terms of closing out games.

The Red Sox will win this division....The Rays will battle the White Sox/Minn loser for the WC. The Yankees COULD get back into it IF Chamberlain and Hughes come back strong and somebody steps up to bridge the gap to MO...

You are forgetting about David Price. The Rays will call him up soon and he will have a big impact on the pennant race.

[Rice14]

Troy Percival to the DL for at least 2-3 weeks with a knee injury.

[Imperialism]

Troy Percival to the DL for at least 2-3 weeks with a knee injury.

Speaking as a Rays fan, this doesn't hurt at all. He was getting the job done, but he's a results-based guy. The process? Not as fun. Hardly ever seemed like there was a 1-2-3 inning with him. Grant Balfour likely moves to the closer's role, and he's been dynamite this year. Plus we called Juan Salas up from AAA, so it's not like we had to bring up some scrub,

[Rice14]

So much for the Rays folding due to their injuries.

They now own the best record in the AL.

[Sixty one]

How long will Baldelli be out with his latest injury? Anyone know?

[Dave Visbeck]

Just my hunch. Even with playing this well for so long, I really think that Tampa is gonna have one hell-of-a-time in September - beginning September 2. They just havent been in a position like this before to withstand it. So many games on the road. They also finish on the road with 8 games in 7 days ... and don't they have another game to make up at some time? When would that be?

Right now they lead by 4.5. Will it be enough? I don't think so.

[Sixty one]

Just my hunch. Even with playing this well for so long, I really think that Tampa is gonna have one hell-of-a-time in September - beginning September 2. They just havent been in a position like this before to withstand it. So many games on the road. They also finish on the road with 8 games in 7 days ... and don't they have another game to make up at some time? When would that be?

Right now they lead by 4.5. Will it be enough? I don't think so.

I think they will stay in first place because I feel that the Yankees are going to act like spoilers and beat the Red Sox often enough for the Rays to hang on to first place.

[Seth]

They also finish on the road with 8 games in 7 days ... and don't they have another game to make up at some time? When would that be?

I think the Rays have a doubleheader at Baltimore on September 23rd. I believe it's a makeup game for a rainout in early April.

[Dave Visbeck]

I think they will stay in first place because I feel that the Yankees are going to act like spoilers and beat the Red Sox often enough for the Rays to hang on to first place.

But what your six games played against the Rays? You're tellin' me that your team is just gonna roll over against them are ya ... to keep them in first place? What good will that do anybody?

[Dave Visbeck]

I think the Rays have a doubleheader at Baltimore on September 23rd. I believe it's a makeup game for a rainout in early April.

Okay ... thanks Seth. That would explain the eight games in their final week.

[Centerhero]

Wake up! The Rays are for real.

[keg411]

Tampa got massively screwed by (who else?) AJ Pierzynski on an awful call in yesterday's game.

[Yankee Tripper]

Just my hunch. Even with playing this well for so long, I really think that Tampa is gonna have one hell-of-a-time in September - beginning September 2. They just havent been in a position like this before to withstand it. So many games on the road. They also finish on the road with 8 games in 7 days ... and don't they have another game to make up at some time? When would that be?

Right now they lead by 4.5. Will it be enough? I don't think so.

They currently have the worst BA w/RISP in the AL. You'd think with the law of averages that will improve.

They should be getting Longoria back in about a week which will also help the offense.

Meanwhile the Yankees have 3 huge question marks in the rotation and CF who should be DHing but has to play CF becuase their other options are offensive black hole and are 10+ GB.

The Red Sox are closest but last I check they are without Lowell and Drew on offense and Papi is slumping. Beckett has arm issues that I personally think are more serious than Boston is letting on and I think his season might be in jepordy - this is speculation on my part no news or link. Oh and outside of Papelbon the Boston pen is pretty much a mess.

Stanger things have happened but I'd be less surpised at both the Yanks and Red Sox missing the post season this year than I would be with Red Sox catching the Rays. This has every thing to do with the ease of MIN and CSOX schedules.

[cupcollector99]

September is the month where October dreams have become nightmares. I'm not wishing a collapse on them but stranger things have happened, just look at the Mets last year. I hope they can pull this off and leave Boston off the post season schedule too.

[BRONXBOMBERS06]

I'd rather the Rays than the Red Sox

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

I'd rather the Rays than the Red Sox

If they both make the playoffs, I want them both swept in the first round. Maybe the Rays' spirits will be crushed and they'll be terrible next year.

Doubtful, but I can dream.

[cubhater]

Tampa got massively screwed by (who else?) AJ Pierzynski on an awful call in yesterday's game.

Obstructing the runner calls happen every game.

Seriously, TB screwed up before the AJ play. Their catcher should have held on to the throw in the 9th which would've ended the game there, they couldn't score with the bases loaded in the top of the 10th, and allowed AJ to move to second on a fly ball just before the obstruction call.

I'll admit that I havn't seen a lot of the Rays this year but from what I saw this weekend, they're a team that doesn't quit and should've swept the series.

[cubhater]

I'd rather the Rays than the Red Sox

Same here. But then ESPN will saturate us with stories during its post season coverage about why Tampa got lucky and how the Red Sox will be the favorites next year.

[Sixty one]

Glad to see that Rocco had the game winning hit yesterday. I still hope that somewhere down the line if he stays healthy that he is traded to the Yanks to be their centerfielder.

[Jersey Yankee]

September is the month where October dreams have become nightmares. I'm not wishing a collapse on them but stranger things have happened, just look at the Mets last year. I hope they can pull this off and leave Boston off the post season schedule too.

If we weren't losing so much, I'd likely disagree, since I'd like us to win. However, I'll let them be the Plan B for now.

[NZ NYY Fan]

They seem to never lose. A .622 winning percantage testifies that they do - but not often enough

[Dave Visbeck]

Hell on wheels coming up soon.

[Bostonsfavson]

Hell on wheels coming up soon.

We seem to play them pretty well, at least. Plus, there's a good chance they're tired from beating the crap out of Baltimore so badly.

[Dave Visbeck]

Tampa ... welcome to September.

[YASS]

Was that the first ever use of the instant replay equipment on A-Rod's home run?

I'm blacked out for the game, so I couldn't see it. Did they get it right?

[kan_t]

Was that the first ever use of the instant replay equipment on A-Rod's home run?

I'm blacked out for the game, so I couldn't see it. Did they get it right?

Yes they did.

[mentalgidget]

I'm hoping that the ump saw a better angle than what they showed on ESPN. That angle was inconclusive, at best. If they are going to do instant replay, put the cameras where they need to be, directly in line with the foul poles. How hard can that be in a dome?!

[Rice14]

Was that the first ever use of the instant replay equipment on A-Rod's home run?

I'm blacked out for the game, so I couldn't see it. Did they get it right?

I thought it went right over the foul pole.

They didn't have a perfect camera angle,but it looked good to me.

[Dave Visbeck]

Nice 3-run game-tying comeback in the 9th inning of today's game against Toronto.

[Jersey Yankee]

Zaun homered to right, Wells, Overbay and Rolen scored.

Jays win this one in the 13th. Hopefully, Beantown also loses like this.

[Dave Visbeck]

Zaun homered to right, Wells, Overbay and Rolen scored.

Jays win this one in the 13th. Hopefully, Beantown also loses like this.

[a-RobinsonCano-Fan]

Apparently, Longoria was activated to pinch run haha

[Jersey Yankee]

Tampa ... welcome to September.

Let those ex-spoilers continue getting a taste of their own medicine. Hopefully, they'll realize that there's 6 months in baseball. It seemed that their knack for beating up on contending teams in September has taken a u-turn. Now it's their turn to get their arses handed to them.

[4bronxbombers]

Apparently, Longoria was activated to pinch run haha

I think he's playing today right?

[Jersey Yankee]

Thank you, Birds.

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/gamece...0080907_TB@TOR

[Seth]

Thank you, Birds.

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/gamece...0080907_TB@TOR

I'm not sure why you're thanking the Blue Jays. Because of the Blue Jays sweeping and the Yankees inepititude in Seattle this weekend, the Yankees have dropped into 4th place a half game behind.

[Hobbes40]

Rays showed some serious heart at Fenway this series.