SB Nation User Blog: rays1234

Upton, Kaz, and Sonny at St. Pete Bowl

rays1234 — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:22:12 -0000

Upton, Kaz, and Sonny at St. Pete Bowl

They just interviewed them and Upton said,"The Yankees spend a lot of money, but I think we're gonna continue to ball on a budget."

Topkin was the one who voted for Barltett

rays1234 — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:17:25 -0000

Topkin was the one who voted for Barltett

This guy should never cover baseball again. He wasn't even the 5th most valuable player on the team.

The Rays have the Game 6 edge?

rays1234 — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:40:23 -0000

The Rays have the Game 6 edge?

In baseball, the starting pitcher dictates momentum much more than the result of the previous game.
Boil it down to this: The Rays will match their most trusted starter against a less-than-full-throttle Beckett. It resembles Roy Oswalt against Mark Mulder in 2005.

J.P. Howell Interview

rays1234 — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:56:17 -0000

J.P. Howell Interview

Do you eat anything specific before the games?

Yeah - PBJ and Doritos. That's it, man. Just simple.

Therefore, I'm bound to insist that players who distinguish themselves in October are born, not...

rays1234 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:47:07 -0000

Therefore, I'm bound to insist that players who distinguish themselves in October are born, not made. That's the difference between an Alfonso Soriano and a B.J. Upton, who homered twice Monday afternoon.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8649972?MSNHPHMA

Playoff Roster

rays1234 — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:16:16 -0000

With only 14 games left, an 8 game lead over the Twins, and a 99.9% chance of making the playoffs, I think now's a good time to take a look at what the postseason roster will look like. This is my opinion on what I think the Rays will do, not what I think they should do.

First of all, the locks to make the roster.

C Dioner Navarro
1B Carlos Pena
2B Aki Iwamura
SS Jason Bartlett
3B Evan Longoria
OF Gabe Gross
OF Carl Crawford (Only if healthy obviously)
OF BJ Upton (Same as Crawford)
DH Cliff Floyd

SP James Shields
SP Matt Garza
SP Scott Kazmir
RP JP Howell
RP Chad Bradford
RP Grant Balfour
RP Dan Wheeler
SP/RP Andy Sonnanstine
SP/RP Edwin Jackson

So far that's 18 players that I think are lock to make the team. Depending on if there are 11 or 12 pitches placed on the roster, there are 2 or 3 pitching spots left and 4 or 5 postion spots up for grabs.

A backup catcher will take up one of those spots, and it looking like Riggans is out for the season, it comes down to Hernandez or Jaso. Things could change but right now, I think Hernandez has the edge due to the lack of playing time Jaso has received.

Zobrist is 90% certain of being on the roster due to his postion flexibility and all the playing time he's received. Aybar too should make the roster as a backup and possibly platooning at DH with Floyd. With the infield locked down, it looks like Dan Johnson will be the odd man out.

In the outfield, it appears that Perez is playing his way onto the postseason roster. Due to Hinske's prolonged slump and horrible defense, I think he will be the last guy out unless Crawford or Upton aren't healthy by Ocotber, or if the Rays decide to carry only 11 pitchers.

I think everyone here would be extremely disappointed if Price isn't on the playoff roster. He looks like a safe bet after his first outing to not only make the roster, but possibly be the fourth starter. I think Miller will also make the roster, pitching only to 1 or 2 lefties an outing, if he is used at all. That leaves one spot which I think Percy will get over Niemann and Hammel. Maddon's stuck with him all year and there's no reason to think that will change in the playoffs. So here's the final projected roster.

Lineup
C Navarro
1B Pena
2B Iwamura
SS Bartlett
3B Longoria
LF Crawford
CF Upton
RF Gross
DH Floyd/Aybar

Bench
Hernandez
Zobrist
Perez

Starters
Shields
Kazmir
Garza
Sonnanstine

Bullpen
Price
Jackson
Howell
Bradford
Balfour
Wheeler
Percival
Miller

Thank you ESPN. Keep it up.

rays1234 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:57:21 -0000

Thank you ESPN. Keep it up.

Tonight at 7:00 on ESPN, Rays vs. Yankees. 8:00 on ESPN2, USF vs. Kansas

Citrus Park LL Team Update

rays1234 — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:57:23 -0000

Citrus Park LL Team Update

Citrus Park lost to Hawaii yesterday 10-2. If they win tonight against Connecticut, Citrus Park will advance to the US semifinals. The game is at 6:00 on ESPN2.

Baldelli Update

rays1234 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:34:22 -0000

Baldelli Update

Rocco went 3-4 with a 3-run homer last night. He also walked once. He is now batting .292 with an OPS of .935 with Montgomery.

David Price and Tim Beckham Updates

rays1234 — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:53:33 -0000

David Price and Tim Beckham Updates

Tim Beckham singled and later scored in his first at-bat for the Princeton Devil Rays. He finished the game 1-4.

David Price went 6 innings in his first start for the Montgomery Biscuits. He allowed 2 runs and four hits while striking out seven. He also walked 3 batters and hit one with a pitch. All four hit were singles.