There is an alarming trend that seems to be developing with the Tampa Bay Rays through the first 19 games of the season.  The Rays are having above all else, having trouble hitting the ball.  
Last 5 wins, runs scored:  8, 9, 6, 15, 11…Average 9.8
Last 5 losses, runs scored:  1, 2, 0, 2, 2…Average 1.4
The Rays have started an alarming trend of losing a few games while looking atrocious at the plate, and then winning one with an offensive onslaught.  This will not lead to succes in the MLB.  The season is long and consistency and lack of injuries [...]

After two stellar starts by starting pitcher Scott Kazmir, the 2nd of which he didn’t walk a single batter, Kazmir was back to his old ways on Saturday vs the White Sox. 
Kaz walked 6 guys in total, and then was shelled to start the 5th inning, a HR by Carlos Quentin and a HR by Paul Konerko and ended up getting pulled with a total of 4 IP.  His final stat line, 4.0 IP, 6BB, 6ER, 2HR.  I have been adamant in one thing over the past two years, and its that Scott Kazmir and his control issues do not [...]

So, I have been to every game so far this home stand and other than the first massacre of the games I have not seen what took the Rays so far last year. The base running has been poor, the bullpen looks like it did a couple years ago, and the middle of the order is just, straight up striking out way too much.
Gabe Kapler needs to be demoted to the Little League for his base running skills. The guy gets caught on third, like he didn’t know there was a play going on, and gets caught running to third [...]

 
There are few things in life that make me as happy as walloping the New York Yankees.  This game was a memorable one in many ways for the Rays.  First off we raised the banner for AL East Championship and our American League Championship.  Just saying that still makes me a little giddy and I know still shocks some people around the country.  
The real show of the night started with our first batter in the bottom of the first inning.  BJ Upton took a walk to start the game, and the onslaught against Chien Ming Wang began.  We put [...]

It is hard after the third game of the season to come to many conclusive observations, but one thing I’m sure of is this, WE OWN THE SOX!  I know that some Sox fans will surely disagree, but after the 2-1 series win in Boston, I know our own players feel this way.  
Matt Garza was filthy yesterday throwing 7 innings, giving up 4 hits and 1 ER, while striking out 5.  At times he looked completely unhittable, whereas Mr. 42 pitch Dice-K Matsuzaka was the exact opposite, very hittable.  At one point he was so frustrated at his own [...]

The Rays played in their 2nd game of the season today vs the Boston Red Sox @ Fenway Park.  We were dominated by Josh Beckett on Tuesday, striking out a total of 14 times in the game.  This game though was quite a bit different.  
We put up a run in the third but wasted a chance to put some more runs on the board with an untimely double play by Evan Longoria in the third inning, and almost did the same in the 5th inning with another double play by Longo, until Carlos Pena hit a 2 run shot [...]

I recently had a chance to visit my good friend Chris Ray, a middle reliever for the Baltimore Orioles, during Spring Training in Ft. Lauderdale.   Chris is just coming off of Tommy John Surgery in 2008 but had an impressive 11 IP, 0 ER spring.  
Without further ado….
1. FIRST AND FOREMOST, HOW IS THE ARM FEELING AFTER THE TOMMY JOHN SURGERY?
Arm is feeling good.  My elbow hasn’t felt this good since I was in little league.
2. HOW EXTENSIVE WAS THE REHAB PROCESS FOR THE TOMMY JOHN, AND CAN YOU GIVE  THE READERS A LITTLE EXAMPLE OF WHAT A DAILY REHAB [...]

Jason Hammel was traded to the Colorado Rockies for right-hander Aneury Rodriguez.  Baseball America ranked Rodriguez as the Rockies’ No. 16 prospect after he went 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA and 139 strikeouts and 40 walks in 156 innings at Class A Modesto in 2008; he was scheduled to start the season at Double-A Tulsa.
Obviously, this trade means  Jeff Neiman will fill in the number 5 spot in the starting rotation. I think Neiman was the right choice after proving his dominance this Spring Training.  He was on top of my list to fill in the spot, especially when David [...]

With college bball winding to a close tommorow morning, and the NFL officially in no free agent signing, pre draft mode, MLB kicks off its 400 game season tonight.  The Braves will play in Philly against the defending World Series champs (eeshgsa;jkljadf, thats a throwup noise) tonight at Citizens Bank Ballpark.  
Tommorow though is what I’m truly excited for.  The Rays open up a little road swing with the first of 3 in Fenway Park.  A daygame tommorow is nice punishment for most of the young fans who have been longing for baseball to start!  James Shields will face Josh [...]

Today, Matt Joyce was announced as the starting CF for the start of the season. This was a long stretch for Joyce at the start of Spring  Training but because of injuries to B.J. Upton and Fernando Perez there really is not a better option for the Rays.  I’m just not sold on the “Gabe Brothers,” Gabe Gross and Gabe Kapler to provide any real pop to the team.  So, I hope Joyce proves his potential and just cuts them out of the mix and becomes the starting RF when Upton returns.
Another idea I had and just dont know [...]