Live Start 2021 Rays Daily Playthrough

Art Deco · 07-31-2021, 02:25 PM

Inspired by all the deals at this year's trading deadline, I've decided to play the rest of the 2021 Tampa Bays season with live start, beginning today (7/31) on a day-by-day basis.

I will wait until the lineup is posted for the day and use that, and I will mimic all moves made by the team, including injuries - if a player's hurt IRL, I will edit him to give them that injury and if a player is hurt in my game, I will remove the injury after the game.

I'll post the box score from each game and add some comments where warranted and provide updates from around the league.

Art Deco · 07-31-2021, 03:31 PM

Lineup is in, time to get this baby going:

The Rays fall 1 1/2 games back of Boston as Enrique Hernandez was too much for them today with a pair of homers. Probably a bad choice by yours truly to bring Drew Rasmussen out for a 2nd inning as it backfired. The Rays loaded the bases with two out in the 9th but Nelson Cruz, with a chance to be the hero, struck out for the third time in the game. Kyle Schwarber homered in his Boston debut.

Around MLB: Anthony Rizzo homered for the second time in two games as a Yankee as they beat Miami 10-4; Zack Greinke and Houston shut out the Giants 4-0 with Kris Bryant going 1-4 in his Giants debut; the Dodgers outlasted Arizona 8-6 with Trea Turner 0-4 and Danny Duffy giving up 4 runs in 4 innings in their LA debuts; and the Mets beat Cincinnati 5-1 behind 5 2/3 scoreless from Rich Hill while Javy Baez was 1-4 with a double and run scored in his New York debut.

Art Deco · 08-01-2021, 04:11 PM

The Rays made their first appearance on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball in over 7 years a victorious one thanks a 4-run rally in the 8th on Manuel Margot's 2nd RBI single of the game and a 3-run shot from Mike Zunino. Shane McClanahan no-hit the Sox over the first 5 innings before running out of gas and into trouble in the 6th. The Rays now pull back within 1/2 game of Boston.

Around MLB: Joey Gallo hit his first Yankee homer in a 5-2 win over Miami; Javy Baez went deep for the first time as a Met in their 7-5 win over Cincinnati, and Keibert Ruiz hit his first homer for the Nationals after coming over in the big Scherzer/Turner deal.

Art Deco · 08-02-2021, 06:29 PM

Michael Wacha no-hit the Mariners for 5 2/3 before allowing a Ty France single, leading the Rays to a 2-0 win over Seattle which puts them in a tie for first with the idle Red Sox. Not much offense for either team but Nelson Cruz doubled and scored on Joey Wendle's single in the 4th and Mike Zunino added some insurance in the 8th with HR #22. DJ Johnson made his Rays debut and Ryan Sherriff got his first save on only one pitch by getting Kyle Seager to ground into a double play to end the game as Seattle was threatening with 2 on and 1 out.

Around MLB: Joey Gallo homered for the second straight day to lead the Yankees to an 8-5 win over Baltimore as it was a light schedule tonight.

pauwoo · 08-02-2021, 11:38 PM

Tough loss for the Ms. Kudos to my man Taylor Trammell for that OF Assist!

Art Deco · 08-03-2021, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauwoo

Tough loss for the Ms. Kudos to my man Taylor Trammell for that OF Assist!

That game and Wacha's peformance couldn't have been more of a 180 from the real thing last night.

Art Deco · 08-03-2021, 04:41 PM

A thrilling walk-off win for the Rays as pinch-hitter Ji-Man Choi ripped a 2-run double off last week's teammate Diego Castillo to give them a 4-3 victory over the Mariners. In fact it was a tale of the two traded pitchers as Castillo blew the save for Seattle and the guy who came the other way, JT Chargois, picked up the win with a scoreless 9th. Luis Patino had an excellent start but the bats took their sweet time getting going. The Red Sox won in Detroit so the Rays remained tied with Boston atop the AL East.

Elsewhere in MLB this happened:

Congratuations to Paddack and the Padres on a dominant 104-pitch performance which produced a rare 100+ game score of 101. Speaking of dominating pitching, Robbie Ray whiffed 13 future Guardians in 6 1-hit innings as Toronto beat Cleveland 6-0, Tajuan Walker and 3 Mets relievers combined on a 1-hitter to beat Miami 1-0 with a 9th-inning run, and Adam Wainwright went 7 2/3 scoreless as Atlanta was held to 2 hits in a 1-0 St. Louis win.

Art Deco · 08-04-2021, 11:00 AM

A matinee at the Trop today, lineups are in, let's play ball:

They can't seem to beat them in real life, but in OOTP the Rays sweep the series from Seattle with another walk-off win as Randy Arozarena led off the 11th with a walk, stole second and scored on Yandy Diaz's double. The starters were both excellent in this one, each only allowing a 2-run homer but Seattle's bullpen blinked first. Boston drubbed Detroit 10-0 so they and the Rays remain tied atop the AL East.

Around MLB: Max Scherzer won his Dodgers debut, going 7 4 3 2 0 10 against Houston. The LA bullpen was shaky though and they had to hang on for a 9-8 win. Trea Turner went 4-5 with 2 RBI to support his longtime teammate.

Art Deco · 08-05-2021, 05:46 PM

The Rays are idle today before they head to Charm City to take on the Orioles for 3 games.

Boston won today at Detroit 6-3 to move 1/2 game ahead in the AL East.

I'll start adding the performers of the day for some color:

Art Deco · 08-06-2021, 05:12 PM

Transaction: Randy Arozarena goes on the COVID list, Jordan Luplow (acquired last week at the deadline from Cleveland) comes up from Durham and bats leadoff tonight.

An ugly game, with Ryan Yarbrough more like Ryan Yard-brough as three Orioles took him deep tonight. The defense didn't help, with Yarbrough's own error and one from Wander Franco leading to 3 unearned runs. The only bright spot was Nelson Cruz waking up, hitting his first homer in almost two weeks since hitting 2 right after being acquired, as part of a 3-hit day. Boston beat Toronto, so the Rays are now one full game back in the AL East.

Art Deco · 08-07-2021, 04:20 PM

We've activated Collin McHugh from the IL and optioned Louis Head to Durham.

Shane McClanahan was brilliant, Big Z bashed a couple of homers including a 3-run shot to blow the game open, and Wander Franco went deep in a convincing win over the Orioles. Collin McHugh went 2 2/3 for the save in his return from the IL after JT Chargois got into trouble in the 7th. Boston lost 2-0 in Toronto after Robbie Ray went 5 hitless innings and then was pulled after 74 pitches. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The Rays are now in first place by percentage points over the Red Sox.

Big Z with the first star of the day!

Art Deco · 08-08-2021, 01:50 PM

Was so caught up in my 2036 playoffs that I almost forgot to get this one in before the real-life game started:

It was a tough loss which wasted a pair of Ji-Man homers. Michael Wacha reverted to his homer-yielding self again with 3 against and it wasn't enough for them to overcome, even with the bullpen doing great. The Red Sox won in Toronto so the Rays are now 1 game back.

Bit of a ridiculous game in Cleveland it appears.

Art Deco · 08-09-2021, 11:26 PM

An off-day today before we head to Fenway for a huge 3-game series with Boston. DJ Johnson was injured, so he's headed to the IL with Louis Head likely coming back up, although that move will need to be confirmed tomorrow.

A light schedule around MLB, here are tonight's top performers:

Art Deco · 08-10-2021, 04:08 PM

Transactions: Ryan Yarbrough goes on the COVID list (? as to who starts tomorrow) and DJ Johnson goes on the IL with his knee issue, while Randy Arozarena comes off the COVID list and Louis Head comes up from Durham.

Big win in the big series opener behind more brilliance from Luis Patino. Ryan Sheriff picked up the save with several lefties due up late. Not a lot of offense, but Manny Margot has the 2-run homer which proves the difference as the Rays are now back in first by percentage points.

Around MLB: Max Scherzer is rocked for 5 runs and 7 hits in 3 1/3 innings as the Dodgers are beaten 11-5 by Philly.

Art Deco · 08-11-2021, 04:23 PM

A bit of a tough loss which saw the Rays keep fighting back but falling short. They had the tying run at the plate in the 9th and off the bat it looked like either Wander Franco or Randy Arozarena would tie it up but their drives were both caught just shy of the fence. Boston now moves a game ahead in the standings.

pauwoo · 08-11-2021, 11:24 PM

Miggy at 499 in this save? He hit his 499th irl only minutes ago.

Art Deco · 08-12-2021, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauwoo

Miggy at 499 in this save? He hit his 499th irl only minutes ago.

Actually yesterday's in this save was #500:

Art Deco · 08-12-2021, 02:39 PM

Transaction: Dietrich Enns is sent to AAA Durham, and Evan Phillips, another in the long line of "who's he?" relievers is called up.

Not a very good day from the pitching staff, with impromptu starter Drew Rasmussen left in one batter too long by yours truly (the 2-run Hernandez double), and each of the relievers having a hand in another run scoring (even Sherriff, who didn't technically allow a run, wild-pitched Phillips' runner home). So the Rays fall 2 games back of Boston after dropping the rubber game of the series.

Michael Kopech dominated the Field of Dreams game for the White Sox - "if you don't let them on the bases, they will not score" or something like that.

Art Deco · 08-13-2021, 05:11 PM

What a game from Shane McClanahan and Joey Wendle swung the big bat in a rout of the Twins. Nelson Cruz added a shot to dead center in his first game back in Minnesota since the trade. Boston blew out Baltimore 13-1, so the Rays stay two back (reality is so much better).

Art Deco · 08-14-2021, 05:24 PM

Transaction: Evan Phillips was DFA'd and Adam Conley was recalled from Durham as the bullpen revolving door continues.

Kenta Maeda held the bats in check aside from solo homers from Brandon Lowe (leading off the game) and Austin Meadows. An error by Joey Wendle and a passed ball from Francisco Mejia on a third strike proved costly as they led to two unearned runs which were the difference. To make matters worse, Boston bludgeoned Baltimore again 11-3 so the Sox lead is up to 3 games.

07-31-2021, 02:25 PM	#1
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	Live Start 2021 Rays Daily Playthrough Inspired by all the deals at this year's trading deadline, I've decided to play the rest of the 2021 Tampa Bays season with live start, beginning today (7/31) on a day-by-day basis. I will wait until the lineup is posted for the day and use that, and I will mimic all moves made by the team, including injuries - if a player's hurt IRL, I will edit him to give them that injury and if a player is hurt in my game, I will remove the injury after the game. I'll post the box score from each game and add some comments where warranted and provide updates from around the league.

08-01-2021, 04:11 PM	#3
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	August 1: vs Boston The Rays made their first appearance on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball in over 7 years a victorious one thanks a 4-run rally in the 8th on Manuel Margot's 2nd RBI single of the game and a 3-run shot from Mike Zunino. Shane McClanahan no-hit the Sox over the first 5 innings before running out of gas and into trouble in the 6th. The Rays now pull back within 1/2 game of Boston. Around MLB: Joey Gallo hit his first Yankee homer in a 5-2 win over Miami; Javy Baez went deep for the first time as a Met in their 7-5 win over Cincinnati, and Keibert Ruiz hit his first homer for the Nationals after coming over in the big Scherzer/Turner deal. Last edited by Art Deco; 08-01-2021 at 04:21 PM.

08-02-2021, 06:29 PM	#4
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	August 2: vs Seattle Michael Wacha no-hit the Mariners for 5 2/3 before allowing a Ty France single, leading the Rays to a 2-0 win over Seattle which puts them in a tie for first with the idle Red Sox. Not much offense for either team but Nelson Cruz doubled and scored on Joey Wendle's single in the 4th and Mike Zunino added some insurance in the 8th with HR #22. DJ Johnson made his Rays debut and Ryan Sherriff got his first save on only one pitch by getting Kyle Seager to ground into a double play to end the game as Seattle was threatening with 2 on and 1 out. Around MLB: Joey Gallo homered for the second straight day to lead the Yankees to an 8-5 win over Baltimore as it was a light schedule tonight. Last edited by Art Deco; 08-02-2021 at 06:42 PM.

08-03-2021, 04:41 PM	#7
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	August 3: vs Seattle A thrilling walk-off win for the Rays as pinch-hitter Ji-Man Choi ripped a 2-run double off last week's teammate Diego Castillo to give them a 4-3 victory over the Mariners. In fact it was a tale of the two traded pitchers as Castillo blew the save for Seattle and the guy who came the other way, JT Chargois, picked up the win with a scoreless 9th. Luis Patino had an excellent start but the bats took their sweet time getting going. The Red Sox won in Detroit so the Rays remained tied with Boston atop the AL East. Elsewhere in MLB this happened: Congratuations to Paddack and the Padres on a dominant 104-pitch performance which produced a rare 100+ game score of 101. Speaking of dominating pitching, Robbie Ray whiffed 13 future Guardians in 6 1-hit innings as Toronto beat Cleveland 6-0, Tajuan Walker and 3 Mets relievers combined on a 1-hitter to beat Miami 1-0 with a 9th-inning run, and Adam Wainwright went 7 2/3 scoreless as Atlanta was held to 2 hits in a 1-0 St. Louis win. Last edited by Art Deco; 08-03-2021 at 04:52 PM.

08-04-2021, 11:00 AM	#8
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	August 4: vs Seattle A matinee at the Trop today, lineups are in, let's play ball: They can't seem to beat them in real life, but in OOTP the Rays sweep the series from Seattle with another walk-off win as Randy Arozarena led off the 11th with a walk, stole second and scored on Yandy Diaz's double. The starters were both excellent in this one, each only allowing a 2-run homer but Seattle's bullpen blinked first. Boston drubbed Detroit 10-0 so they and the Rays remain tied atop the AL East. Around MLB: Max Scherzer won his Dodgers debut, going 7 4 3 2 0 10 against Houston. The LA bullpen was shaky though and they had to hang on for a 9-8 win. Trea Turner went 4-5 with 2 RBI to support his longtime teammate. Last edited by Art Deco; 08-04-2021 at 11:05 AM.

07-31-2021, 03:31 PM	#2
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	July 31: vs Boston Lineup is in, time to get this baby going: The Rays fall 1 1/2 games back of Boston as Enrique Hernandez was too much for them today with a pair of homers. Probably a bad choice by yours truly to bring Drew Rasmussen out for a 2nd inning as it backfired. The Rays loaded the bases with two out in the 9th but Nelson Cruz, with a chance to be the hero, struck out for the third time in the game. Kyle Schwarber homered in his Boston debut. Around MLB: Anthony Rizzo homered for the second time in two games as a Yankee as they beat Miami 10-4; Zack Greinke and Houston shut out the Giants 4-0 with Kris Bryant going 1-4 in his Giants debut; the Dodgers outlasted Arizona 8-6 with Trea Turner 0-4 and Danny Duffy giving up 4 runs in 4 innings in their LA debuts; and the Mets beat Cincinnati 5-1 behind 5 2/3 scoreless from Rich Hill while Javy Baez was 1-4 with a double and run scored in his New York debut. Last edited by Art Deco; 07-31-2021 at 03:37 PM.

08-02-2021, 11:38 PM	#5
pauwoo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,266	Tough loss for the Ms. Kudos to my man Taylor Trammell for that OF Assist! __________________ Be excellent to each other. the Portland Pioneers \| the Los Angeles Leopards

08-05-2021, 05:46 PM	#9
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	August 5: No Game The Rays are idle today before they head to Charm City to take on the Orioles for 3 games. Boston won today at Detroit 6-3 to move 1/2 game ahead in the AL East. I'll start adding the performers of the day for some color:

08-06-2021, 05:12 PM	#10
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	August 6: at Baltimore Transaction: Randy Arozarena goes on the COVID list, Jordan Luplow (acquired last week at the deadline from Cleveland) comes up from Durham and bats leadoff tonight. An ugly game, with Ryan Yarbrough more like Ryan Yard-brough as three Orioles took him deep tonight. The defense didn't help, with Yarbrough's own error and one from Wander Franco leading to 3 unearned runs. The only bright spot was Nelson Cruz waking up, hitting his first homer in almost two weeks since hitting 2 right after being acquired, as part of a 3-hit day. Boston beat Toronto, so the Rays are now one full game back in the AL East.

08-07-2021, 04:20 PM	#11
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	August 7: at Baltimore We've activated Collin McHugh from the IL and optioned Louis Head to Durham. Shane McClanahan was brilliant, Big Z bashed a couple of homers including a 3-run shot to blow the game open, and Wander Franco went deep in a convincing win over the Orioles. Collin McHugh went 2 2/3 for the save in his return from the IL after JT Chargois got into trouble in the 7th. Boston lost 2-0 in Toronto after Robbie Ray went 5 hitless innings and then was pulled after 74 pitches. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The Rays are now in first place by percentage points over the Red Sox. Big Z with the first star of the day! Last edited by Art Deco; 08-07-2021 at 04:21 PM.

08-08-2021, 01:50 PM	#12
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	August 8: at Baltimore Was so caught up in my 2036 playoffs that I almost forgot to get this one in before the real-life game started: It was a tough loss which wasted a pair of Ji-Man homers. Michael Wacha reverted to his homer-yielding self again with 3 against and it wasn't enough for them to overcome, even with the bullpen doing great. The Red Sox won in Toronto so the Rays are now 1 game back. Bit of a ridiculous game in Cleveland it appears.

08-09-2021, 11:26 PM	#13
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	August 9: No Game An off-day today before we head to Fenway for a huge 3-game series with Boston. DJ Johnson was injured, so he's headed to the IL with Louis Head likely coming back up, although that move will need to be confirmed tomorrow. A light schedule around MLB, here are tonight's top performers:

08-10-2021, 04:08 PM	#14
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	August 10: at Boston Transactions: Ryan Yarbrough goes on the COVID list (? as to who starts tomorrow) and DJ Johnson goes on the IL with his knee issue, while Randy Arozarena comes off the COVID list and Louis Head comes up from Durham. Big win in the big series opener behind more brilliance from Luis Patino. Ryan Sheriff picked up the save with several lefties due up late. Not a lot of offense, but Manny Margot has the 2-run homer which proves the difference as the Rays are now back in first by percentage points. Around MLB: Max Scherzer is rocked for 5 runs and 7 hits in 3 1/3 innings as the Dodgers are beaten 11-5 by Philly.

08-11-2021, 04:23 PM	#15
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	August 11: at Boston A bit of a tough loss which saw the Rays keep fighting back but falling short. They had the tying run at the plate in the 9th and off the bat it looked like either Wander Franco or Randy Arozarena would tie it up but their drives were both caught just shy of the fence. Boston now moves a game ahead in the standings.

08-11-2021, 11:24 PM	#16
pauwoo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,266	Miggy at 499 in this save? He hit his 499th irl only minutes ago. __________________ Be excellent to each other. the Portland Pioneers \| the Los Angeles Leopards

08-12-2021, 02:39 PM	#18
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	August 12: at Boston Transaction: Dietrich Enns is sent to AAA Durham, and Evan Phillips, another in the long line of "who's he?" relievers is called up. Not a very good day from the pitching staff, with impromptu starter Drew Rasmussen left in one batter too long by yours truly (the 2-run Hernandez double), and each of the relievers having a hand in another run scoring (even Sherriff, who didn't technically allow a run, wild-pitched Phillips' runner home). So the Rays fall 2 games back of Boston after dropping the rubber game of the series. Michael Kopech dominated the Field of Dreams game for the White Sox - "if you don't let them on the bases, they will not score" or something like that.

08-13-2021, 05:11 PM	#19
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	August 13: at Minnesota What a game from Shane McClanahan and Joey Wendle swung the big bat in a rout of the Twins. Nelson Cruz added a shot to dead center in his first game back in Minnesota since the trade. Boston blew out Baltimore 13-1, so the Rays stay two back (reality is so much better).

08-14-2021, 05:24 PM	#20
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,612	August 14: at Minnesota Transaction: Evan Phillips was DFA'd and Adam Conley was recalled from Durham as the bullpen revolving door continues. Kenta Maeda held the bats in check aside from solo homers from Brandon Lowe (leading off the game) and Austin Meadows. An error by Joey Wendle and a passed ball from Francisco Mejia on a third strike proved costly as they led to two unearned runs which were the difference. To make matters worse, Boston bludgeoned Baltimore again 11-3 so the Sox lead is up to 3 games. Last edited by Art Deco; 08-14-2021 at 05:26 PM.