With our record now at .750 with two games to go, I certainly hope there are some wins left in the tank. Of course, everyone loves to say how spring training stats don't count, but you have to admit that the Rays have been bringing it this March. I mean we started the spring with a double steal in the first inning of the first game! I dredged up an interesting article from 8 years ago that would tend to predict good things are coming in 2008. By good things I mean at least .500 baseball!

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/tom_verducci/news/2000/03/28/verducci_web_insider/

Essentially, the formula for predicting success involves a horrible record involving one run games from the previous year (check) and a significant improvement in winning percentage in spring compared to the previous year (check). The result (at the time) was a 21-for-21 predictor of a 15 win increase during the regular season. 66+15=81.

So, how many wins do you expect in 2008?

It has been debated to death, but the fate of Evan Longoria was finally decided yesterday. He will start the season as a Durham Bull. There has been some discussion by the team that he needs to cut down on his strikeouts, but we do not have a clear indication of when we should expect him in a Rays uniform again.

Additionally, Scott Kazmir is just beginning to throw long toss and has not climbed the hill since his elbow injury. His timetable has continued to slip since he was slated to pitch an inning on the 16th of March. He will start the season on the DL, and we have not heard any clear indication of when he will make his first start for the Rays in 2008.

So who do you think we will see first in 2008 and when?

http://www.jimrome.com/home/articles/article.html

It is nice to see some national press taking the right side on this issue.

>>Crashing into the catcher a few days was good, hard-nosed baseball. What you did yesterday, was "bush".

Yes it was, Jim. Yes it was...

>>And that's why the Jonny Gomes ran all the way in from right field and was the first guy looking for a piece of you, which I loved!

and

>>I never thought I'd say it; but the Rays have already set the tone for their season. They play hard, they have each other's backs and I love it.

I'm not a "clone" but it is good to see some support!

Looks like the collision broke Cervelli's wrist.

http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080308&content_id=2413856&vkey=spt2008ne ws&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb

Giardia was not very happy with the rough and tumble play in spring training, but did anyone happen to notice Arod going into 2nd earlier in the game spikes up? I love the fact our team is playing hard EVERY game. It is going to be a great season!

I remember hearing Maddon speak about the "four horseman" when he started as coach here. Basically, he was referring to the four guys in the bullpen that he would feel comfortable handing the ball to when the Rays had the LEAD. What a difference a year makes!

Last year: Camp, Stokes, Salas, Reyes
This year: ?, Wheeler, Reyes, Percy

That is three veteran pitchers with closing experience anchoring our pen. Any thoughts on who #4 will be this year? Dohmann? Salas? Oh man, I am so stoked I bought season tickets!

We finally have a left handed reliever, but not one to get too excited about. Fossum has been okay in the pen posting a sub 5 ERA in June. However, some interesting options have been presented recently.

First is the impressive performance so far by Jon Switzer at Durham. He has a sub 1 ERA through over 16 innings including a scoreless inning tonight. Although the sample size is small, he also has a 3:1 K:BB ratio and no HR allowed.

The second option is the release today of J.C. Romero by the Red Sox. Romero had some impressive years in the Minnesota pen but has showed declining performance the past couple years in LA and Boston. However, he did have an ERA just over 3 this year before being released.

My question is are people satisfied with Fossum as our LOOGY? Or would you like us to add more new blood to the pen with the likes of Switzer or Romero?

Could it be an attack of bad karma? WhiteSox.com is reporting that Toby Hall is out for the season with a torn larbum.

The weird thing is that it sounds like Hall was playing first base for the Sox. I can not recall that experiment ever happening in Tampa.

I'm sure I am not alone in being SO glad to be rid of all the bitterness in camp. Maddon has been stressing cooperation this spring. It got a lot easier once Hall and Huff left!

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070326&content_id=1860209&vkey=spt200 7news&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws

What do you think the response will be from the fans when Huff returns to the Trop? How about Lugo? I'd imagine they'd be the exact opposite. Any thoughts?