October 12, 2051: ALDS Game 4
 

Turnabout is fair play...

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After getting waxed by a combined 23-10 score the last two games in this series the Rays turned the tables on the Yankees, blowing them out 11-3 to force a deciding Game 5 at Publix Park. They'll have Dave Rose, who shut down New York in Game 1, on the mound. Today they scored early and often, and Alec McInerney did a good job before leaving with a mild abdominal strain that won't keep him from pitching Game 4 of the ALCS should the Rays be playing in it.

One team who we know'll be playing in it is Minnesota:

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October 13-14, 2051: ALDS Game 5 & NLDS Game 5
 

It wasn't to be...

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After they staved off elimination and won Game 4 in New York, it looked for all the world that this would be the typical Rays series comeback - I haven't done the research but they have a great record over the years in DS Games 5 and LCS and World Series Games 7. Alas the script didn't play out as usual and the Rays fell to the Yankees in Game 5. It was a scoreless game until the 5th when Dave Rose suddenly couldn't get anyone out, giving up a leadoff homer and then three more runs. The bullpen wasn't much relief, and although it looked like they might pull out one of their patented miracle comebacks when Juan Davila launched a 3-run homer in the 7th, Steve Talbott put those thoughts to rest when he gave up a 2-run shot to the Yankees in the 9th. There's no shame in losing a playoff series to a 107-win team I guess, and the Yankees will now face the Twins in the ALCS. It's going to be quite a tough offseason with so many key players eligible for free agency (Davila and Bonczek on the offense and about half the pitching staff in Winger, Bernal, Kay, Mejia, Bransington and Talbott. The good news is we only have about $100M in salary commitments so we'll have money to spend. More on that to come shortly of course.

Meanwhile the NLCS is set after this Game 5:

https://i.imgur.com/BZFzopb.png

As usual when the Rays are eliminated early, coverage will be limited to series recap posts for the LCS round and the World Series.

The 2051 LCS Round
 

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The World Series will begin at Yankee Stadium.

The 2051 World Series
 

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Congrats to the Rockies, World Champs for the second time in their history and first since 2039. It's also another ring for the 40-year-old Zach Mathias, our first round pick all the way back in 2029 whom we traded to Colorado in 2035. Mathias was MVP of the 2039 series and had another good one 12 years later, and should reach 2500 career hits as he's 46 short and has another year under contract after hitting 303/354/427 last year and sports a career .318 BA. Not quite a Hall of Fame career, but a Hall of Very Good one.

2051-52 Offseason: State of the Team
 

It's going to be a season of transition as we have a number of free agents departing from the most successful regular season team we had in seven seasons (and that was after a 1-7 start!) albeit one that didn't survive the first round of the playoffs.

Owner Jorge Rios has given me a $160M payroll for 2052 and before I pretend that I haven't already made a bunch of moves right after the season ended, I'll instead lay those out.

November 2: Signed RP Jimmy Bernal to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $18,000,000.

Bernal was 9-3, 3.14 in a swing role last year and really found his niche as a long reliever. He was 5-3, 4.40 a starter and after he was moved to the pen he was 4-0, 1.53 with a 10/53 BB/K ratio in 58 IP with only 5 HR allowed. He's getting 5th starter money here but I'm leaning toward keeping him in relief. It's one spot on the staff I don't have to worry about now.

November 4: Made a couple of trades:

https://i.imgur.com/KvNiMPZ.png

Viatoro was set to make $10.5M in arbitration this year and we have a glut of 1B types. I decided to keep Ruben Ramirez over him since he's been an out-and-out lefty masher the last few years for us and platoon him at the position with rookie Nesty de la Rosa, who was up for a while and hit and is 70 contact, 55 power. And in return we picked up a quality starting pitcher in Johnson who was 14-9, 3.34 with the Lightning and earned 2.5 WAR in 181 IP. He has 65 stuff and 60 movement with only his 40 control an issue. We also get Brown, a 19-year-old 2B prospect with incredible bat-to-ball potential, projected for 75 or 80 contact (and likewise in avoiding Ks) depending on which scout you talk to and backed that up by hitting 365/405/532 in 233 AB in complex ball last year. He's not a total punch-and-Judy guy either with 50 power potential. To get Brown in the deal we have to cut the cord on our 2049 supplemental first-rounded Briseno, who hasn't panned out as hoped as is projected as a 45/50/45 starter at best.

With Juan Davila set to depart via free agency, we're going to need a new 2B. This second deal isn't going to give us one right away, but this guy's a lot closer than Prince Brown:

https://i.imgur.com/VgimJMI.jpg

This was a prospects-for-prospect deal that saw us part with a couple of more former first rounders of ours for Machado, Boston's 2nd-round pick out of Rice last season:

https://i.imgur.com/pibZiH5.png

Should his potential be reached or come close to being reached, he could be an All-Star 2B. Right now he's rated the #132 prospect in baseball and also had an impressive pro debut in Low-A, hitting 342/435/553 in 39 games. I'm going to stick him in AA ball and see how he responds and hopefully he'll be our starting 2B by 2053. Loera was our first-round pick in 2048 and is a defensive wizard but his bat is a question mark although he has 50 contact and 45 power potential so if he lives up to that he'll have value. Soler was a supplemental first-rounder in 2049 who's dropped from 75 potential stuff to 45 with potential 55 movement and control, now looking like a 5th starter at best.

November 8: Signed CL Steve Talbott to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $26,000,000.

If you had told me earlier this season I'd be doing this I would have had myself voluntarily committed. But Talbott finally lived up to the original 2/30 contract I signed him to two years ago, setting a team single-season record for saves and being incredibly reliable after a very shaky 2050. Re-signing him was an owner goal and although I had acquired Mario Berumen last year with an eye toward making him the 2052 closer, I'm glad to bring Talbott back at a $2M pay cut as he still has his 80 stuff and 75 movement.

So with these moves on the board, here's the payroll breakdown as I haven't reached arbitration yet:

https://i.imgur.com/dwou2KW.png

I plan on keeping all the arb guys I haven't already settled with, and I have a feeling Jon Morales is going to get more than this (he wants a 9-year deal which I'm not ready to discuss). With all of these guys plus the minimum-salary types the committed payroll is estimated at $117M, giving me a nice chunk of change to spend if need be.

Here's how things shake out positionally:

C-David Morales had a brilliant rookie season and Cesar Scroggins is a backup with pop, so set there.

1B-As mentioned above this will be a de la Rosa/R.Ramirez platoon and I feel the position is well-covered.

2B-Ah, the big Juan Davila-sized hole in our lineup. The star (dare I say superstar) is going to go for a small nation's GDP in free agency and while I will miss the bat I will not miss the lousy defense at the position. Next man up on the roster is Ismael Morales, who would hit .300 with 30-35 SB if he played every day but without much power. Morales also isn't a great defender but he's not the butcher Davila is. I still have defensive whiz Mike Wood around but his bat is way too awful to start so he'll reprise his role as a defensive backup. There doesn't appear to be a free agent 2B worth splurging for so hopefully Morales keeps the position warm until Machado is ready.

SS-Dantel Chinchilla is set after a fine debut season with us.

3B-Luis Barela - the man, the myth, the legend. He's 36 now and did finally start showing some signs of age as he "only" had 5.1 WAR last year and did have a terrible September (.212 was both his batting average and slugging percentage for the month as he had only 18 singles) and continued that by going 3-14 with no XBH in 5 playoff games. He was downgraded from 60 to 55 contact but is still rated 65 power and 70 eye. Hopefully it will be a soft, slow decline for him rather than a precipitous one. He's under contract for one more year after this one at $35M, a player option I imagine he'd exercise if he falls off.

IF-Wood is the MI backup and Ramirez will be the 1B backup with Morales sliding over from 2B when Barela needs a day off.

LF-Beau Bonczek had a great 5-WAR season which has priced him out of our plans as he's a free agent. We have Jose Lozada, acquired in the Alex Duran trade last summer from St. Louis, who didn't get healthy until playoff time when he pinch-hit a couple of times. Lozada is a 70 contact, 80 avoid Ks guy who has a leadoff-type profile although he doesn't walk a lot and has marginal (45) power. He's the front-runner for the job although top prospect Jose Avalos is ready for the bigs as well and although he played CF with Montgomery last year he didn't play it very well and is better suited for a corner. Avalos could also be our 4th OF.

CF-Jon McGovern had a very solid rookie season with 1.7 WAR, adequate but not awe-inspiring. His defense was a bit subpar. While Chris Kidd can play the position better his bat is more questionable than McGovern's as McGovern had 54 XBH last year. Kidd also could be the 4th OF.

RF-Jon Morales stands an excellent chance of being named MVP for the second time in his three big league seasons after putting up an 8.1 WAR year, so yeah we're set here. He also played above-average D which was a slight surprise.

DH-Ezequiel Avalos can rake, and did so the last couple of months for us so he'll be fine here. He's a lefty hitter without a huge platoon split so he could play every day at the position. He platooned with Ramirez last year but Ramirez will be busy platooning at 1B.

Rotation-Ace Dave Rose returns, as does Alec McInerney, Steve Morris and we have newly-acquired Tim Johnson. I'd like to give the 5th spot to prospect Randy Mastropietro, who profiles at 50/65/50 with potential to go a tick higher in movement and control. But Melvin Lopez, acquired Duran deal along with Lozada from St. Louis, pitched very well in long relief in September and dominated in the rotation at Durham so he could get a look as well. Chad Winger and Rex Bransington are free agents.

Bullpen-The back end duo of Talbott and Berumen return but we'll miss lefty Mel Mejia, who wants starter money as a free agent. Mejia was brilliant with 2.5 WAR last year. We also lose lefty Steve Kay to free agency leaving Joe Roberts as the top lefty returnee. Jeremy King at Durham could claim a lefty role in the pen and Steve Morris might get moved back there after an iffy year as a starter despite 18 wins. Otherwise middle guys Willie Navarro, Chris Hetzel and Bernal are back. One more solid arm (preferably a lefty) could arrive via free agency since we have $ to spend.

2051-52 Offseason, Part 1
 

Awards season:

Gold Gloves: Amazingly we won what has to be a team-record 3 of them, although two went to players who are or will no longer be on the team. Rookie David Morales won it at catcher to cap his outstanding freshman year, and Juan Viatoro (1B) and Beau Bonczek (LF) also took the nods. Bonczek was a shock since he had a -4.0 ZR and only 2.67 range factor.

Reliever of the Year: LA's Jake Cid was a near-unanimous (31 of 32) winner in the AL after a 8-2, 1.63, 3.2 WAR, 49-save season with our Steve Talbott finishing second and collecting the other first-place vote (not mine). Sam Roberson of Colorado took the NL award unanimously, going 11-5, 2.12 with 31 saves and 132 whiffs in 117 IP. He did make 7 starts early in the season.

Silver Sluggers: As usual we're well-represented here with Juan Davila (2B), Luis Barela (3B) and Jon Morales (RF) winning. Definitely the first time we had as many Gold Gloves as Silver Sluggers for sure.

Rookie of the Year: Austin's Jayden Campbell was the unanimous AL winner thanks to a .339-17-64, 6.4 WAR season. Our David Morales did place a clear second. The NL winner was Orlando Gallegos of Arizona as the 2B took 26 first-place votes after a .306-10-66 year.

Cy Young: Oakland's David Gonzalez was the clear winner, netting 26 first-place votes with his 16-6, 2.65 year, leading the league in whiffs (222) and pitcher WAR (5.6). Reliever of the Year Jake Cid actually finished second, getting the other six first-place votes and our Dave Rose finished 5th. In the NL Colorado's Ted Vanegas won after a 15-8, 3.23 that saw him lead the majors in strikeouts (235) and pitcher WAR (8.0!).

MVP: He did it again.

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That makes it two MVPs in three seasons since being called up to start 2049 for Morales and he'll be getting a big payday in arbitration. In addition to Davila finishing 2nd Beau Bonczek was 6th in the voting. Over in the NL the MVP was Dave Schamp of Columbus, unanimously chosen after a massive .323-57-152 year with 7.7 WAR.

November 27: As expected Juan Davila turned down our qualifying offer so we'll pocket a supplemental 1st-round pick when he signs elsewhere. The international free agents were unveiled and we have a couple of minor league offers out. There were three 2B in the pool but unfortunately two of them were terrible and the other was too good as he wants $23M/year for 10 years whereas I'm just looking for a stopgap for next season. I also have an offer out to a free agent lefty reliever.

December 10: And there he goes - Davila signs with the Phillies on a 7/240 deal. It's a bit back-loaded but in a few years they'll be paying him $39M/year. He's a great hitter but he really shouldn't be playing 2B - as it is, he's a 1B/DH really. He had a -14.1 ZR at the keystone last year. Oof.

December 12: Signed Japanese 1B Takayuki Tsujimura to a minor league contract.

The details:

https://i.imgur.com/JK48uEk.png

If get can that 45 contact up closer to his 60 potential he'll make a great replacement for Ruben Ramirez next year as my RH 1B when Ramirez gets too expensive in arbitration to keep on the short end of a platoon.

Also former Rays star Mario Saro, whom we traded to Boston last year, joined the Angels on a 7/168 deal. LA was his original organization before we acquired him from them as a prospect.

December 14: Another former Ray finds a new home as starter Gordie Ager is a Met for 3/34.

December 15: Rex Bransington will get paid as the Rays free agent signed a 4/57 deal with the Tigers.

December 21: Added OFs Bob Sanchez and David Alba, 3B Kang-Cheol Lee and P Chris O'Brien to the 42-man roster.

Rule 5 time and Sanchez and Alba are potential CFs of the future, Lee is a useful IF with power and patience signed as a MiLB free agent last year and O'Brien of course is a former pitcher of ours whom we re-signed to an MiLB deal and could help us as a lefty reliever this season. Even with these moves we only have 36 of the 42 spots filled so if something excites us in the draft we may make a selection.

December 22: The Rule 5 draft was pretty active (33 players were taken including 7 by Indianapolis) but nobody I deemed worth picking was in the pool nor did we lose anyone.

December 28: Signed our lefty reliever:

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He sports 75 stuff, 65 movement and 45 control.

December 29: Another of our free agents has signed as lefty starter Chad Winger joined Oklahoma City on a 3/37 deal.

December 31: Another former Ray has a new home as OF Alex Duran, whom we traded midseason last year to St. Louis, joins former teammate Mario Saro in heading to the Angels. Duran got a sizable 6/141 contract.

2051-52 Offseason, Part 2
 

January 1: Victor Ocana, the studly free-agent 2B out of Cuba whom I referred to earlier, proved he was out of our price/length range by signing an 8/197 deal with Washington.

January 2: Claimed 2B Cameron Holly on waivers from the Cubs.

A new entrant into our 2B derby?

https://i.imgur.com/vdwC0Bi.png

The 25-year-old didn't have a great season between the minors and a cup of coffee with the Cubs but he does have 25-HR power and is competent at the position. We'll see how he does and the price was right.

January 3: The Hall of Fame balloting is in, and congrats to former Rays great Danny Ayala!

1B Edgar Medina 95.0 (1st year) Inducted HOF
LF Danny Ayala 75.4 (3rd year) Inducted HOF
RF Dayle Jenkins 69.0 (3rd year)
SP Shohei Ohtani 65.8 (9th year)
CF Jasson Dominguez 64.1 (7th year)
CL Kikuo Kawase 58.0 (1st year)
SS Bo Bichette 48.0 (5th year)
SP Josh Doyle 43.4 (2nd year)
3B Bo Angeac 33.5 (2nd year)

Medina was one of the more feared hitters of the 30s and 40s, spending most of his career with Texas and was a career 322/371/496 batter with 3155 hits, including 8 200-hit seasons and 4 with 225 or more. He also had 316 career homers.

The story on Ayala, who will go into the HoF wearing a Rays cap:

"He simply produced -- game after game after game. That's what I loved about him."

Those sentiments were expressed by one of Danny Ayala's managers (that would be me) from his Tampa Bay Rays days at the gifted left fielder's Hall of Fame induction ceremony yesterday. On a cloudy, but comfortable afternoon, he took his rightful place among the best Major League Baseball players of all-time.

The newest Hall of Famer assessed his career in these words: "I did my best to contribute to the team -- in the field, at the plate, in the dugout. I didn't care about personal numbers. I just went out there to win."

Ayala spent his best years playing for the Tampa Bay Rays, playing in 1651 games with a .276 career batting average and 1736 hits. He also scored 1093 runs and drove in 1375 runs with 447 home runs.

Ayala retired from baseball when he was 35.

Another of those great Rays from the 30s came very very close in Dayle Jenkins while Jasson Dominguez and Kikuo Kawase (in an impressive first-year showing) are also knocking on Cooperstown's door. Just wish the voters would show a little more love for Shohei Ohtani who will have one last chance next year.

Meanwhile still another of our free agents signed elsewhere as Mel Mejia joined Texas on a 3/29 deal.

January 14: Steve Holt, our one-time second-round pick and top prospect for a while before never really panning out, signed a minor league contract with Houston.

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Speaking of former Rays named Steve going elsewhere, Steve Kay has signed a 2/15 deal with the Phillies. Apparently he didn't make much of an impression last year as I didn't get one of those "the fans are upset to see him go" messages.

February 21: Beau Bonczek became the last of our big free agents to sign and it was worth the wait for him as he inked a whopping 4/109 pact with the Cubs.

March 7: Signed a free agent:

https://i.imgur.com/WBKQ1vt.png

Espinoza is up there at 35 and is about 7 years removed from leading the league in pitcher WAR in consecutive seasons, but his ratings are still strong (65/50/65 with 65 stamina). The main concern is that he's rated "fragile" and he only made 22 starts last year with the White Sox.

2052 Opening Day Roster and Preseason Predictions
 

A pretty uneventful Spring Training with only one injury, and that was the perpetually hurt lefty reliever Kevin Leonard tweaking his back and going on the IL for a couple of weeks.

The Opening Day roster:

C-D.Morales, Scroggins
1B-N.De La Rosa
2B-I.Morales
SS-Chinchilla
3B-Barela
IF-Holly, Wood (har har), R.Ramirez
LF-Lozada
CF-McGovern
RF-J.Morales
DH-E.Avalos (will split LF with Lozada who will also DH)
OF-Kidd

Cameron Holly made the team as it looks like he could be a lefty-masher at 2B and will platoon with I.Morales. OF David Alba was the last cut among batters, his ratings were upgraded by the scouts this spring to the point where he looks like a .280, 20-HR guy but he needs to play a corner as he's kind of mediocre in CF.

SP-Rose, T.Johnson, McInerney*, Espinoza, M.Lopez
LR-Bernal, S.Morris*
MR-Hetzel, Roberts*, O'Brien*, Navarro
SU-Berumen, Rutherford*
CL-Talbott

*lefty pitcher

Last cut among the pitchers was rookie Randy Mastropietro, who was penciled into the rotation when the winter started but had a miserable spring and we signed Rogelio Espinoza. Melvin Lopez actually took Mastropietro's spot. Steve Morris did win 18 games for us last year but a lot of it was run support and he seems better suited for the pen.

https://i.imgur.com/A1Odgno.png

The preseason predictions are bearish on us (and Dave Rose isn't getting 36 starts) but it isn't the first time they've been wrong.

March 28-31, 2052: at Baltimore (4)
 

The traditional opening day box:

https://i.imgur.com/cIiANrb.png

The Rays put 4 on the board in the first highlighted by a 2-run Jon McGovern double and never looked back in an Opening Day romp in Baltimore. Luis Barela got his first extra-base hit since last August with a homer as part of a 3-5, 3-RBI day and Dave Rose was dominant to get 2052 off to a great start.

Game 2: The good feelings from Opening Day dissipated as the bullpen came a-cropper in a 9-5 loss. Nesty de la Rosa's second 2-run homer of the game (and his MLB career) put them up 5-4 in the top of the 7th but new free agent signee Alan Rutherford (0-1) crapped the bed by giving up 3 runs on a pair of homers in the bottom of the inning and the Rays suffered their first 2052 loss. It was also a rough debut for starter Tim Johnson as he coasted through the first 4 but then suddenly couldn't get anyone out in the 5th, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits without retiring a batter and finishing 4 10 4 4 1 4.

Game 3: The late-inning ugliness of last night carried over into the next day as the Orioles roughed up the Rays 11-4. Alec McInerney (0-1) was absolutely torched to the tune of 3.1 5 8 8 4 3. Ezequiel Avalos continued his hot start to the season by going 2-3 with a double and his first homer of the year and Jon Morales drove in a pair in a losing effort.

Game 4: The Rays took out two days of frustration in the finale, obliterating the Orioles 17-3 in what looked like a Bucs-Ravens score. Rather than recap the offense, I'll post their part of the box:

https://i.imgur.com/L2PNCvC.png

Zeke and Nesty continue to rake and Cameron Holly had a couple of hits in his Rays debut. Speaking of debuts, Rogelio Espinoza (1-0) was in his rocker today with all the run support, going 6 3 2 2 1 7 with the only damage a two-run homer just before he departed.

Team record: 2-2. Next up: We have our home opener as part of a 3-game series with Oakland.

MLB News: A couple of former Rays are off to flying starts with their new teams as Alex Duran has 4 homers in 4 games for the Angels and Juan Davila has gone yard thrice in Philly's first four.

April 1-3, 2052: vs Oakland (3)
 

Game 1: The Rays won their home opener in thrilling fashion, walking it off on Luis Barela's 2-out homer (#2) in the bottom of the 10th to take a 7-6 decision. This came after Steve Talbott, apparently rusty from not pitching in the opening 4-game series, allowed 2 runs in the 9th in his first appearance of the year. He did get through the 10th to pick up the win however. Earlier Ezequiel Avalos had a 2-run homer, his 4th in 5 games and Ismael Morales had 3 hits and a steal. Melvin Lopez's first start of the year began roughly with 3 allowed in the first but he settled in for a while afterward before finishing 4.2 8 4 4 0 7.

Game 2: Dave Rose was utterly dominant and so were the Rays as a team as the righty pitched a complete-game 3-hit shutout in a 7-0 win. Rose (2-0) followed up his excellent opening day start with a 9 3 0 0 1 13 gem, the third complete game of his career and second shutout. Support came primarily from Nesty de la Rosa's 3-run homer (#3) in the 3rd.

Game 3: The Rays completed the sweep of A's with a 7-4 win in the finale. Reports of Luis Barela's demise coming after a September and postseason without an extra-base hit were greatly exaggerated as the future Hall of Famer came through big again with 2 doubles and HR #3, driving in 3 runs, while Dantel Chinchilla had the key hit of the game, a 3-run homer (#1) in the 2nd. Chinchilla is off to a cool 12-27 start at the plate. Tim Johnson gave up 3 runs in the 2nd to put the Rays down 3-0 but recovered to go 6 5 4 4 4 6 and win his first Tampa Bay decision. The back end of the pen was dominant with Mario Berumen striking out all 4 men he faced and Steve Talbott doing likewise, striking out the side in a 1-2-3 9th for his first save and a bounceback from his rough season debut.

Team record: 5-2. Next up: A day off then Houston visits for 3 games.

MLB News: Former Rays Alex Duran and Juan Davila continue to blast homers away from Publix Park as each has started with 5 in 7 games for their new teams in LA and Philadelphia. Meanwhile Beau Bonczek has 2 homers for the Cubs in the early going but was suspended 2 games for an on-field meltdown after a called third strike.

April 5-7, 2052: vs Houston (3)
 

Game 1: The Rays won their fifth straight game, downing Houston 5-4 in the series opener at Publix Park. Jon Morales was the hitting hero, going 3-4 with a pair of doubles and a 2-run homer (#2) in the 5th which proved to be the winning runs. Alec McInerney (1-1) bounced back from his disastrous opening start by going 6 4 3 3 0 9 while Steve Talbott earned save #2 despite a couple of walks in the 9th.

Game 2: Tampa Bay dropped a tough one 6-5 to the Astros in a game which saw all the scoring take place in the opening four innings. Rogelio Espinoza (1-1) was roughed up at 4 5 6 6 2 4 with a couple of homers allowed and while the bullpen was outstanding with 5 scoreless the bats couldn't do anything in that time frame. Nesty De La Rosa had the best day at the plate, going 2-3 with a walk and 2 RBI.

Game 3: Rays bats were held in check and Houston scored late to break a 1-1 tie and take the series from Tampa Bay with a 4-1 win. Melvin Lopez (0-1) was solid at 6 4 2 2 1 2 with the winning run scoring against him in the 7th after he had left the game. Ezequiel Avalos, off to a hot start and leading the majors in WAR at 1.1 already, was 2-3 with an RBI double for the lone run they managed off former Ray Bob Riley.

Team record: 6-4. Next up: Baltimore visits for 3 games.

April 8-10, 2052: vs Baltimore (3)
 

Game 1: The Rays routed the Orioles 8-1 to open their series at Publix Park. Dave Rose (3-0) made it three dominant starts out of three, getting the win after going 7 5 1 1 0 8. Luis Barela had a 2-run single, Ezequiel Avalos added a 2-run triple, and Ruben Ramirez had a solo shot for his first homer of the young season.

Game 2: Tampa Bay took a 3-2 win over the Orioles in 11 innings in the most dramatic of fashions, getting solo shots from Jon McGovern (#3) to tie it in the bottom of the 11th and two batters later, Jon Morales (#3) to walk it off. This came after Baltimore went ahead in the 11th against Mario Berumen with Joe Roberts (1-0) picking up the win after getting the final two outs. Before all that it was a pitchers' duel with Tim Johnson turning in his best start as a Ray at 6 6 1 1 3 4 and Ruben Ramirez homering for the second straight day (#2) for their lone run in regulation.

Game 3: The Rays finished off a sweep of Baltimore with a 6-3 win in the finale. Alec McInerney (2-1) went 6 4 3 3 1 4 for the win, allowing all 3 runs in his final stanza. Steve Talbott struck out the first two men in the 9th looking for the save, but had to leave with an elbow sprain and will miss 2-3 weeks. Nesty de la Rosa had a big RBI double early and Ruben Ramirez made it homers in each of the three games of the series with a 2-run shot as he's been DHing while Jose Lozada gets over a minor but moderate injury.

Team record: 9-4. Next up: An off-day then we hit the road for 3 in Chicago against the White Sox.

April 12-14, 2052: at Chicago White Sox (3)
 

April 12: Placed P Steve Talbott on the 10-day IL with a sprained elbow, recalled P Chris Giles from AAA Durham.

Game 1: Rogelio Espinoza was roughed up again and the Rays lost the opener 7-3 at Guaranteed Rate Field (or whatever they'll calling it in 2052). He was hit for four runs in the first and dropped to 1-2 after finishing 4 10 5 5 1 0 in his second straight poor start. Ezequiel Avalos had a 2-run homer (#5) for the lone Tampa Bay highlight.

Game 2: The Rays broke open a 4-3 game in the 9th with 5 runs and evened up their series with the White Sox thanks to a 9-3 win. 2049 and 2051 AL MVP Jon Morales had a big night with a first-inning solo homer and then a slam in the 9th (#5) which put the game away. Luis Barela's 2-run shot in the 5th (#4) put them ahead to stay. Melvin Lopez (1-1) wasn't great but he was good enough at 5 5 3 3 4 4 to earn his first win of the year.

Game 3: Dave Rose was dominant again, no-hitting the White Sox until the 7th as the Rays escaped with a 3-2 victory and a series win. Rose (4-0) lost the no-hitter and the shutout when he allowed a 2-run homer but got the win after going 7.2 2 2 2 4 7. Mario Berumen recorded the final four outs for his first save of the year. Luis Barela drove in two of the three Tampa Bay runs with a solo homer (#5) and an RBI single.

Team record: 11-5, in first place but only 1/2 game up on 10-5 Boston which will be visiting Publix Park for 4 games next.

April 15-18, 2052: vs Boston (4)
 

Game 1: The Rays routed the Red Sox 10-2 in the series opener at Publix Park behind a strong start from Tim Johnson and plenty of offense. Johnson went to 2-0 after a 6 5 2 2 0 7 outing and the newly-recalled Chris Giles went the final 3 for his first MLB save. Jon Morales led the offense with a 2-4, 4-RBI performance including a 3-run homer (#6). Luis Barela (#6) and Jon McGovern (#4) added solo shots while Ruben Ramirez had a 2-run blast (#4).

Game 2: Boston get even with the Rays thanks to a 6-2 win in which Alec McInerney was roughed up. The lefty dropped to 2-2 after going 3 7 6 6 0 3 with a pair of homers allowed. Jon Morales' 2-run homer in the bottom of the 1st (#7) briefly tied the game up but that was it for the offense today.

Game 3: The pendulum swung back in Tampa Bay's favor as they blasted Boston again 12-5. Ismael Morales had a career game, going 4-5 with a 2-run homer, his first since 2049. Ruben Ramirez was 3-5 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI, Jon McGovern was also 3-5 with a double and 2 RBI, and Luis Barela was 2-3 with 2 walks and 2 RBI. Rogelio Espinoza evened his record at 2-2 despite a weird start which saw him load the bases in the first and then give up a grand slam; he settled in after that and finished with a bizarre 5 1 4 4 5 5 line.

Game 4: Boston took a split of the series and moved to within 1/2 game of the Rays just as they were when the series started after a 7-3 win. Another Rays starter turned in a lousy outing with Melvin Lopez (1-2) going 3.2 8 6 3 1 2 and not helped by his defense which made a couple of key errors. Ezequiel Avalos' 3-run homer (#6) in the 4th was the extent of the Tampa Bay scoring.

Team record: 13-7. Next up: 3 games in Detroit.

April 19-21, 2052: at Detroit (3)
 

April 19: Placed OF Jose Lozada on the 10-day IL with back spasms, recalled OF David Alba from AAA Durham.

Alba joins the big club for the first time after coming over from Houston in July 2050. He's a legit guy with 60 contact, 55 power, 60 speed and 60/55 defense in LF/RF and can fake it if need be in CF.

Game 1: The Rays stunned Detroit with 6 runs in the 9th inning to turn a potential 5-1 loss into an actual 7-5 win at Comerica Park. Triples from Ezequiel Avalos and Cameron Holly sandwiched around a Ruben Ramirez double got the rally started, as well as an ill-advised throw home from a Detroit infielder instead of going for a double play. Jon Morales brought home the winning runs with a 2-RBI single and Nesty de la Rosa knocked in a pair as well. Dave Rose had his first off start of the season at 6 8 4 4 0 6 with 3 homers allowed, Chris O'Brien (1-0) picked up the win in relief and Mario Berumen earned save #2 despite loading the bases in the bottom of the 9th.

Game 2: They did it again (albeit not as shockingly) as the Rays rallied to tie the game in the 9th and went on to score twice in the 11th to take a 4-2 win over the Tigers. They trailed 2-0 going into the 8th when Cameron Holly hit his first Rays homer, a solo shot to halve the lead, and in the 9th Ruben Ramirez walked and with two out pinch-runner Chris Kidd stole second and score on David Morales' single. And it was Morales who came through again in the 11th with another RBI single for the winning run. Tim Johnson was good at 5.1 5 2 2 2 7 and Steve Morris (1-0) picked up the win with two scoreless innings of relief, pitching the 10th and 11th.

Game 3: No need for a dramatic 9th-inning comeback in the finale as the Rays trounced the Tigers 9-2 to complete the sweep. The game was won in the 3rd when they put 4 on the board with Cameron Holly's 2-run double the key hit as the new Ray had a big series in Motown. Ruben Ramirez contributed a 2-run homer (#5) and Alec McInerney (3-2) was good for the win after going 5 5 1 0 2 4.

Team record: 16-7, and they've opened up a 2 1/2-game lead on Boston. Next up: We cross the border to play 3 in Toronto.

MLB News: Veteran Angels closer Jake Cid, who won Reliever of the Year and finished 2nd in the 2051 AL Cy Young voting, notched his 300th career save over the weekend.

April 22-24, 2052: at Toronto (3)
 

Game 1: The Rays scored single runs in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings to break a 3-3 tie and take a 6-3 win over the Jays in the opener at Rogers Centre. Nesty de la Rosa came off the bench to deliver a tie-breaking RBI single for the winner and Dantel Chinchilla had one of his best days in a Tampa Bay uniform, going 4-4 with 3 RBI including a 2-run double. Rogelio Espinoza continued to struggle with the longball, allowing 3 more today to make it 7 in 25 IP, but they were all solo jobs and he went to 3-2 after going 6 4 3 3 1 5. Mario Berumen closed it out for save #3.

Game 2: Tampa Bay routed Toronto 8-1 in the second game behind a huge game from Cameron Holly, who went 4-5 with a 2-run triple. Jon Morales walked twice and drove in pair with a solo homer (#8) and sac fly and David Morales was 3-5 with 2 RBI. Melvin Lopez (2-2) was excellent at 6 7 1 1 0 5 and Steve Morris went the final 3 for his first save of the year. Morris, who despite a gaudy W/L record last year had his issues as a starter, has been brilliant in relief this year with a 2/21 BB/K ratio in 14.2 IP with a 1.23 ERA.

Game 3: The Rays completed the sweep and ran their win streak to 6 thanks to a 4-1 win in the finale due in large part to another dominant Dave Rose performance. The ace starter made it 5 wins in 5 starts this year and although he ran up a pitch count and didn't last as long he was overpowering at 5 4 1 1 3 12 on 101 pitches. The bullpen was excellent behind him with two scoreless from Chris Hetzel and Mario Berumen closed again for save #4. Tampa Bay scored all its runs in the 5th inning, capped by a 2-run Ezequiel Avalos homer (#7) while Ismael Morales was 2-5 with an RBI double.

Team record: 19-7, 3 1/2 up on Boston. Next up: An off-day then home for 3 vs Minnesota, which is off to a mediocre 11-15 start.

April 26-28, 2052: vs Minnesota (3)
 

Game 1: Jon McGovern had a career game as the Rays routed Minnesota 9-1 in their series opener at Publix Park. The second-year CF was 4-5 with a solo homer (#5) and a bases-clearing double to lead an offense which also saw four others homer: Jon Morales (#9), Dantel Chinchilla (#2), Ruben Ramirez (#6) and Nesty de la Rosa (#4). Tim Johnson (3-0) was in good form for the win at 6.2 8 1 1 2 4.

Game 2: The Rays were outscored by a total of 5-0 by Minnesota in every inning today but the fourth, an inning in which Tampa Bay conveniently put 10 on the board to take a 10-5 win over the Twins. The inning featured a couple of big homers: first a rare 3-run blast from David Morales, his first of the year, second as a big leaguer in 580 AB and third in 495 games as a professional, and the second being a Luis Barela grand slam (#7 of 2052 and #490 of his career) to cap the inning. Alec McInerney (4-2) was excellent at 6 4 2 2 0 4 in picking up the win.

Game 3: Tampa Bay made it 3 straight series sweeps and 9 wins in a row overall with another big win over the Twins, riding the arm of Rogelio Espinoza to a 6-0 victory. The veteran righty had struggled with the longball so far this season but turned back the clock in a dominant 7 3 0 0 0 9 performance to improve to 4-0 and lower his ERA to a still-rough 5.62 (how 'bout that run support?). His battery mate, backup catcher Cesar Scroggins, also had a huge day as not only did he catch a shutout but he went 3-4 with his first homer of the year and 3 RBI as the game's offensive star.

Team record: 22-7, now 5 1/2 up on Boston who happens to be our next opponent as we head to Fenway for 3 games.

MLB News: The grass wasn't greener for former Ray Beau Bonczek, whose first year with the Cubs isn't going as hoped. Hitting .186, he'll now be stuck on that number for a month as he'll be sidelined with chronic back soreness.

April 29-May 1, 2052: at Boston (3)
 

Game 1: The Rays' win streak hit double digits as they held on to beat Boston 5-4 in the series opener at Fenway Park. Ruben Ramirez' 2-run homer (#7) and David Morales' 2-run double staked them to a 5-1 lead behind Melvin Lopez (3-2) who was a solid 5 5 1 1 2 5. Alan Rutherford and Willie Navarro combined to allow 3 runs in the 8th to make it a nail-biter but Mario Berumen closed the door in the 9th for save #5.

Game 2: Dave Rose and Jimmy Bernal combined on a shutout as the Rays won again 5-0 over the Red Sox. Rose remained perfect at 6-0 in 6 starts despite not having his best stuff today, going 6.1 4 0 0 3 3 with Bernal pitching the final 2 2/3. Luis Barela's 3-run homer over the Monster in the 1st (#8) was all they needed and Dantel Chinchilla chipped in a solo shot (#3).

Game 3: The Rays swept their fourth straight series and made it 12 straight wins, taking another well-pitched game 4-2 over Boston. Tim Johnson (4-0) was quite good at 6 4 2 2 4 7 and Mario Berumen finished up again for his 6th save to take care of things on the mound. Jose Lozada drove in a pair with an RBI single and solo homer (#2) and Cameron Holly also went deep with the bases empty for his 2nd.

Team record: 25-7. Next victims, er next up: the Austin Dukes, who visit Publix Park for 3 after a day off.

No shocker here:

https://i.imgur.com/TwTISTz.png

May 3-5, 2052: vs Austin (3)
 

Game 1: The Rays left it late but extended their win streak to a baker's dozen with a 4-3 win over the Dukes at Publix Park. Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the 8th, Jon Morales and Luis Barela hit back-to-back doubles to tie it, and Nesty de la Rosa singled home Barela with the winner, his third hit of the game which raised the rookie's batting average to .404. Alec McInerney had another rough start (4 5 3 3 4 4) but Jimmy Bernal (1-0) came to the rescue with 4 perfect innings of relief, fanning 5 on only 40 pitches and earning the win. Mario Berumen put a couple on in the 9th but held on for save #7.

May 4: Activated P Kevin Leonard from his rehab assignment at AAA Durham, optioned P Chris Giles to the Bulls.

Game 2: The Rays once again had to wait a while to get in front, but they did and hung on for consecutive win #14 with a 5-3 triumph over Austin. A 4-run 6th did the trick, highlighted by Jon Morales' 2-run single. David Morales' 2nd homer of the year (and 4th of his professional career) provided some insurance in the 8th. Rogelio Espinoza (5-2) was solid at 6 4 3 3 1 6, dominating until giving up 2 runs on 3 hits in the 7th without retiring a batter. Mario Berumen had another adventurous save after giving up two singles to start the 9th but retired the next three for his 8th save.

May 5: Placed 1B/DH Ruben Ramirez on the 10-day IL with a sprained wrist, purchased the contract of 1B Takayuki Tsujimura from Durham.

Ramirez injured himself in yesterday's game and it's a "moderate" one-week injury so we brought up his Japanese equivalent, a lefty-bashing (70 power against them) 1B who we signed last winter and had 5 homers at Durham.

Game 3: Make it 5 straight series sweeps and 15 wins in a row overall as the Rays once again played Lucy with the football to the Dukes, scoring 3 times in the 8th to pull out another 5-3 win. Today's rally was due to the Dukes' own fielding ineptitude as with two out and Austin up 3-2, a 2-base throwing error by their SS allowed the tying run to score and then Ezequiel Avalos stepped up and hit a majestic 2-run homer to RF (#8) to win it. Earlier the raking rookie Nesty de la Rosa hit homer #5. Melvin Lopez turned in a quality start at 6 6 3 3 2 6, Chris Hetzel (1-0) picked up with win with two scoreless in relief, and Willie Navarro notched his first save of the year with Mario Berumen having pitched the previous two days.

Team record: 28-7. Next up: The Blue Jays come to Publix Park for 4 games.

May 6-9, 2052: vs Toronto (4)
 

Game 1: The Jays snapped the Rays' 15-game win streak as they held Tampa Bay bats to a measly two hits in a 5-1 win. Luis Barela's solo homer (#9) in the 7th was about it for the Rays and Dave Rose (6-1) had his first poor start of the year at 4 4 4 4 1 4 on 95 pitches.

Game 2: From a lengthy winning streak to a losing streak as Toronto beat the Rays again 7-5. Tim Johnson pitched well at 6 4 2 1 3 4 and left a 2-2 game before the Jays erupted for 5 runs in the 7th off Chris Hetzel (1-1) and Alan Rutherford. Ismael Morales had a 4-RBI game in a losing effort as he and Danny Morales each had three hits.

Game 3: It's not funny anymore as the Rays lost for the third straight time at Publix Park to Toronto as Jays pitching held the bats in check once again in a 5-2 loss. Both Tampa Bay runs came in the 8th on a 2-run Luis Barela homer (#10) but that was after it was already 5-0. Alec McInerney's 2052 struggles continued as he dropped to 4-3 after a 3.1 7 5 5 1 3 outing which saw his ERA rise to 7.36.

Game 4: The Rays took a series' worth of frustrations in the finale, winning 10-4 over Toronto to stop the rot. Jon McGovern tripled in a run and Dantel Chinchilla followed with a 2-run homer (#4) to give Tampa Bay a quick 3-0 lead and they never looked back. Takayuki Tsujimura added a 2-run double for his first MLB hit and Nesty de la Rosa came off the bench to slug a 2-run homer (#6). Rogelio Espinoza (6-2) didn't have his best stuff, going 6 8 4 4 1 1 but still got the win.

Team record: 29-10. Next up: Off to Cleveland for 3.

MLB News: Marc Gibson, who was in the Rays' rotation in 2045 and 2046, announced his retirement.