Tampa Bay Rays Promo (via JGForThree)

This only got very few views on youtube but I think it was done well.  Its only 32 seconds long so it is totally worth a look. 

Ground ball to second...Iwamura's got it...and the Rays are going to the World Series!

Here's to finishing the job this year.  Today is the first day of the rest of our season.

p.s. Yankees suck! Yankees suck!

I have watched damn near every game for the last couple of years and I am pretty sure we had 0 complete games pitched against us last year.  That stat I never heard confirmed and I wouldn't dare ask here at DRaysBay because I do believe that I would jinx that streak.   I really do not want to go through every box score but I am curious.  Does anyone out there happen to know the answer to this question?? 

p.s. My guess would be September of 2007.  That is just off the top of my head. 

p.p.s. Hat tip to Buerhle...big time.

Being a Rays fan for a long time I really like Scott Kazmir.  I would plan visits to the Trop on days he started.  He was ours.  He was what we had to be proud of because when he was on the mound the Devil Rays were a winning team. 

I haven't spent much time in Tampa Bay in the past couple years.  How much distaste for Kazmir is there really in Tampa Bay? 

I went to a bar in Plant City and a couple people asked me my favorite Ray...my answer "Scott Kazmir"  Not only did they disagree, they didn't understand why.

I guess my questions are:

How much anti-Kaz sentiment do you guys notice?

Is anyone else super excited to have him back?

Who loses his job?

The Rays have enough legitimate concerns, but we have been in WAY worse shape in years past.  We knew far worse times than this.  This team leads the league in runs scored and Zorilla and Aybar are good players.  Now our depth will show its face. 

The problem has been the pitching, but Shields, Garza, Price (no complaints) Niemann all could pitch very well on any given day.  (Sonny is looking SOO lost.)  The pen can piece it together..there really is enough to do so. 

Keep the faith.  The Rays are about to shine.

Honestly....I picked him to be the MVP.  He has got to be comensating for that shoulder injury.  He just does not have a long swing that would get him into prolonged slumps.  I am beyond confused!!  I am starting to think he may not rally for a month or so. 

I kinda miss the lack of expectations and just kinda enjoying our victories against the good teams and accepting that we will lose 95.  I miss the old Devil Rays.

You won the game so you think you're hot,

we'll win the fight in the parking lot.

Never was our motto, but I liked it anyway

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Mod edit:

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MY ANSWER IS THAT WE LOSE THE DIVISION, WIN THE WILD CARD, THE DS AND LOSE IN THE ALCS.

Does spring training determine the 5th spot in the rotation? 

(I been getting tired of people putting Price over Sonnanstine lately)

I feel like it won't determine the 5th starter and the organization will have their minds made up in February.  But I also feel like it will be Niemann.  The guy won at a .656 clip with a 3.78 ERA in 49 games at Durham over the last two years,  No Lincecum or Price numbers from him, but nobody should be too upset if he gets a shot.

Now...Price is the goods and he will be up in May, but.. 

Who else thinks Niemann pitches for us this year and does really well?  Boston and New York fans should be shitting themselves.

Who is the Rays MVP of 2009? 

B.J. Upton is my first thought with Longoria second.  Who has an unexpected one??

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The last 14 games Randor Bierd has appeared in are all Orioles losses.  He has earned Grim Reaper status.  wow..

I really like saying his name though.  Give it a shot..but pretend he is the best reliever on the planet, he is closing out game 7 ALCS and you are the PA announcer trying to pump up the crowd.  Coming in to pitch here in the ninth...RANDOOOOOOR BIEEEEERD!!

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I don't post a ton, but as a a guy who has seen just about every game this year, here is my take on this one..

THAT ABSOLUTELY NEEDED TO HAPPEN!! 

Does anyone want Wheeler closing out a playoff game??  I am comfortable with him in his role in the eighth with the Aussie getting the ball in the ninth.  Call me crazy but I viewed this as a positive that came out of this game.  Maddon will mix things up after his fourth blown save in a month's time.  The other positives were Longo's 3 homers and the rest of the team hitting some for two straight days.  So smile today everybody, this game will make us a better team.

The pitch to Jermaine Dye that he hit to short.  The first curve was sick in that sequence and then everyone in the ball park knew that another curve was coming as did Dye.  So Dye was going to hang in for a curve and Hammel coughed up an pufugly hanger to him.

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Anaheim           38-21     --

Tampa Bay       28-30     9.5 GB

New York          28-31      10.0GB

Texas                30-35       11GB

Minnesota        26-31       11GB

The road is going to kill the Rays in the second half ...bla bla bla...its just too tough a schedule...bla bla...best record but it is a sliding record because they haven't learned to play on the road...bla bla bla bla

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How about the Rays pick up a slick fielding SS, 2B guy in case we lost Aki or JB for a while down the stretch drive.  I have seen how much pride in defense means to this team.  I do not know the numbers, but I will bet they are about 12 games under .500 when they make an error.   When they catch the ball they are the best team in this game. 

What do you guys think?

Oh wait....I did!

$400 for 73 wins to win $400

$340 for AL pennant to win $32,400

$60 for the World Series to win $10,500.

Nobody saw this season coming except us, you guys!!  I kinda want it to be October now, but I can take enjoyment in just enjoying the ride.  With that pennant money I am thinking a World Series trip would be in order...eh.  Good times.  GO RAYS!

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