Tampa Bay RAYS thread

[Tom81]

I see there is a Braves thread, so I thought it appropriate to start a Rays' thread.

We are currently the top WC team.
If we could shore up the BP, maybe we could make a run at the Yanks.
We have lost a lot of games where we were leading or tired going into the 7th inning this year.
Do we make a trade? Do we call up young unproven talent to help the BP?
What say you?

 

[seminoledq]

Unfortunately they seem to be falling apart. Bullpen is letting them down.

 

[Tom81]

IT seems to me that they need to either trade for a starter, or bring another up from the minors.
One more starter and ditch the bullpen starting strategy, which saves arms.

 

[Tom81]

So we've picked up an OF and a utility guy. That's good, but what about our horrible BP?
If we had a good BP, we would be battling the Yanks for 1st place right now.

 

[Tom81]

Tampa Bay is locked into a wild card fight with Cleveland and Oakland. All three of those teams have better records than the highest wildcard team in the National League. One very deserving team is going to be left out :-( hope it’s not us

 

[nolealum99]

Glasnow good in his return, Snell supposed to be back soon. A's have the weakest remaining schedule in baseball I believe, so they are likely not going away. Rays are playing very good right now. Rays only have two more against the Yanks which is good. We have to take care of Red Sox which we have done well this season. Finishing with the Jays is a pretty good thing as well. I would just like to see a little playoff run for the Rays.

 

[nolealum99]

HUGE two wins against the Yanks!!! Pitching was absolutely enormous in those games from the starters through the bullpen. Magic number is now 2 for the Rays in any combination of wins and Cleveland losses. Hell they could even take the WC 1 if they keep winning and Oakland falters.

 

[SeaPA]

Nice win for the Rays last night in the WC game. Now things get really tough....

 

[raysnoles]

Teams want no part of the Rays! They could care less about how good other teams are. They hot two HRs center and two opposite field HRs. That says these guys are locked and loaded. Keep telling Houston how good they are! We are better

 

[Tom81]

Not saying we beat Houston, but all the pressure is on the Astros.
I'd hate to face this Rays team right now!

 

[GwinnettNole]

I’m definitely a braves fan first but also a fan of the Rays.... and even the marlins. Glad to see the Rays beat Oakland but this series against Houston is going to be tough.

 

[Tom81]

Yes it is

 

[Tom81]

Darn, but my Rays are resilient and tough.
All the pressure is squarely on the 'Stros.
Cole is a stud, but having Glasnow, Snell, Chirinos and the bullpen
ready is not chopped liver.

 

[Tom81]

The winner out of the national league all of a sudden, doesn't look so intimidating.
The Rays and Astros are going to hold nothing back tonight.
Meanwhile, the Yanks are sitting back and grinning at the grind our pitching staffs are going through.

 

[Tom81]

Kudos to the Astros.
Great season by our Rays.
We should be a force next year, if we can keep our pitching healthy.

 

[Tom81]

I’m getting excited for next year.
Best Rays trade Ever was Chris archer to the Pirates for Tyler Glasnow , Austin Meadows and Shane Baz who is a top pitching prospect for us

 

[Tom81]

In baseball future results are not the result of simple math. IOW, even though
the Rays have a nearly full roster returning (3 free agents D'Arnaud, Sjogard and Garcia),
presumably healthy players returning and a slew of young prospects itching for their
major league shot; that is no guarantee they will equal or better their 2019 results.

Disclaimer out of the way, the future looks bright!
Morton with a healthy Glasnow and Snell is a good place to start for the pitching staff.
Pham, Meadows, Adames and company are a good nucleus for the bats.

I'm looking for a couple of young prospects to make their mark. R Hernandez at Catcher,
Franco (#1 MLB prospect) or Jones (think road runner) to come in and get some time at SS.
I'm looking for B McKay to make a step up as a pitcher and Honeywell, Liberatore or Baz to
make their pitching debuts sometime in the 20 season.

It will be fun to watch! Go Rays!