I'm back and the Rays never left

WOW, sorry for the hiatus but certain things could happen to a person that limits his writing capabilities (work and kids). None the less I'm back in action and ready to tackle the situation at hand. It has been months since I last commented on my favorite team but don't think I wasn't paying attention. I like to think I have studied the team from all angles now and I'm pretty sure I have a good idea of what's going on.

We all knew after the last series in Boston that the Rays were destined to make the playoffs and if there was any doubt about there capability in October it was answered after game one against Chicago. Now for the seventh time this year the Sox and the Rays will square off for the ultimate prize, the pennant.

Today the two teams announced their starters with Sheilds facing Dice-K. From a statistical and a fan stand point you have to like the Rays. Jamie is just to strong, especially at home, and K is to inconsistent with his pitch count, not to give the Rays a victory. Maddon has Kazimr two and Garza three witch I do not like. Even though Kaz will throw a hundred pitches in three innings, Matt just can't seem to win on the road. So to be objective I will have the series at 2-1 Rays. Here is where things get tricky. Does Maddon go with Sonny or a fourth starter in general, or with the break will he give the ball back to Sheilds. If you look at the regular season Sonnistine has been just short of perfect against Boston witch freaks me out because you know he should start before Kaz but what are the chances of that happening. In my opinion he will start in enemy territorywhere he has had success and he will pick up a victory. This now brings us back to the Trop where Sheilds will close it out.

Now I haven't brought up offense, defense, or injuries but from a pitching stand point it is hard to argue the Rays win in five.

IS THIS THE END OF THE WORLD?

Wow! I don't know where to start. The Rays are playing out of their minds right now and are looking damn good doing it. In fact they have been playing so well that I haven't had a new post in a week because of the state of shock that I'm just starting to recover from. Yet when looking back at the last couple of weeks the only explanation for their winning ways is that they are just playing good fundamental, baseball. I know that is not the sexiest awnser but it's the truth. The Rays have won 15 of their last 24 but more impressively have won six of their last seven series including three sweeps. But it's the way they have accumulated these wins that has really got the Bay are up in a frenzy.

Since the first day of spring manager Joe Maddon has been serious about installing a winning attitude based on the basics and the team has not only bought this message, they have invested it towards the future. Good pitching, timely hits, and most importantly, stellar defense can be accredited to the teams recent success. As I before mentioned, the attitude is the underlining factor here. This Rays team won't roll over any more when pushed against the wall, cause no one puts C.C. in the corner. This is a scrappy mix of youth and veteran leadership that proves good character and chemistry is the foundation for success. If you don't believe me just recap a few of the victories over the past couple of days.

Percy blows a save, no problem, Navarro will hit a grand slam in the 13th. Bullpen tired, no sweat, Sheilds and Kazmir will pitch deep into the game. Starting pitching having some issues, don't worry Crawford will do it all by himself. Remember it's not how you win, as long as you win. The other teams in the A.L. East have known this day will come, but know the rest of the league is paying witness to a franchise that doesn't let inflated payrolls or egos get in the way of playing the game the right way.

Later Hammel

In case any one out there has actually listened to my podcast then what I'm about to write won't come as much of a surprise, but for those of you with a life I'll try to make this short and sweet. I've had a bit of a conspiracy theory involving the Rays that dates back to the end of spring training, and basically it goes as follows.

The only real problem about having so much raw, untapped talent is that it's hard to single out who's in and who's out as quickly as you would want. And this formula becomes even more difficult when these fringe players are out of options, and just happen to be good enough that you can't cut them out right. So what do you do? Well if you're the Rays you send down the players with options even if they are the best player (Longoria). And you put a guaranteed starter on the DL even if he's not that hurt (Kazmir). All of this was done just to try to get a few extra weeks to evaluate the talent that's left.

Now for the last few weeks with the team playing quite well management has been almost hoping for a bad outing just to help them make there minds up. And now that Kazmir is coming back time is running out fast. Well last night Jason Hammel gave them the excuse they needed. After giving up three runs and putting a lot of base runners on, Maddon had no choice but to pull him after only going 2 2/3 innings. Now we will go over the reasons why Hammel has drawn the unlucky chamber in this game of Rays Roulette. Kaz, Sheilds, and Garza are absolute locks which leads only two starting positions and with success of Sonny and the hard on they have for Jackson the chances of the starting five changing is slim to nill.

And with the bullpen playing out of their minds the only changes that will be made is dropping Birkins for Reyes, but even Birkins is playing well, unless of course they release Reyes and keep Hammel but I just don't see that happening. And if you look to the bench Haynes is the one they might move but then you have to take in to consideration what to do when Aybar and Zobrist are healthy. Now all of this is of course is speculation but no matter how you look at it Hammel's days are numbered, and it's not because he can't cut, but because he's on a team with too much talent.

Home Opener for the team formerly known as the Devil Rays

For the first time in their young history the Tampa Bay Rays have sold out their home opener before the day of the game. Tonight they will face the Seattle Mariners in what is a new beginning of sorts.

If you don't follow the Rays yet, you still have time to jump on the newly formed bandwagon. They are young, have new unis, and are exciting to watch. For the last couple of years the Rays have been able to hit, but their pitching has always fallen off. This year, I think they are a bit deeper.

Let's take a more in depth look at their staff:

1. Scott Kazmir - For the last couple of years Kazmir has developed into one of the premier pitchers in the game. He throws hard and has great breaking stuff as well. Last year he led the league is strikeouts and is only 24! The question has and always will be, can he stay healthy?
   
2. James Shields - This guy may be the best pitcher you have never heard of. This righty is only 26 years old and is only playing in his second full year in the majors. He is nasty on the mound and is currently anchoring the staff. If you get a chance this year watch him play because he is going to be around for a while.
   
3. Matt Garza - The Rays acquired him in the trade for Delmon Young in the offseason and this was a very good move. He has a great late moving sinker, a nice tight slider, and overall has four above average pitches. Like the rest of the staff he is only 24 years old.
   
4. Andy Sonnanstine/Edwin Jackson/Josh Hammel - The rest of the staff is occupied by these young arms. Sonnanstine is only 25, Jackson is 24, and Hammel is 25. Jackson is the biggest name of these three, as there has been much hype around him for a while. He has great stuff when he is on, but the guy is as erratic as it gets. If he could ever get his act together and be consistent this staff would be good for a long time.