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Art Deco · 04-17-2025, 09:06 AM

Final Regular Season Record: 105-57 (15-14 for the month)
1st place, AL East, #1 seed in the AL

With the division effectively wrapped up going into September it was foot-off-the-gas-pedal time and the Rays slogged through while still winning 105 games. This month it was the bullpen's turn to be hit with injuries with setup man Juan Nunez missing most of the month (although he came back right before the end) and other setup guy Victor Vodnik suffering elbow inflammation (he'll probably miss the ALDS). We did get regular RF Ben Schmidt back but he just came off the IL at season's end. Lefty Brock Jones also came off the IL but saw his stamina decreased to 35 so he was used in the bullpen where he was hit hard (a .538 BABIP had something to do with it).

Otherwise it was all about tuning up for the playoffs and thankfully nobody else was hurt. Here's how the final month+ went:

And in the two October games, they beat Toronto 10-2 on the 1st and lost to them 3-0 on the 2nd.

The final standings/leaders:

We had a pair of Triple Crown winners in the NL - Colorado's Jack Ruckert led in AVG, HR and RBI, and San Diego's Nelson Chavarria led in Ws, ERA and Ks. Both should repeat as MVP and Cy Young respectively.

In the AL the Yankees did back in to the final wild card, beating out the Angels on the season-series tiebreaker.

Befitting a 105-win club there isn't much to complain about here (sure we strike out a lot but so what?).

Tatis should win a third straight AL MVP but who had Quezada finishing 2nd on the team in WAR on their bingo card when the season began? The SS provided a solid glove and showed off his power and speed in a great season, not bad for a late-year waiver claim last season. Anderson was everything we hoped for as a one-season rental bopper at 1B and Basallo had a great bounce-back year from his disappointing maiden Rays season. Finally Crisp should get some Rookie of the Year votes despite only playing a half-season's worth of games.

The pitching was very good in an overall sense with nobody really bad, but my only worry come playoff time is that there isn't anyone in the rotation who's a true ace or #1 starter. Maybe if you squint you can see a #2 but they're mostly 3s and 4s. But as long as they hold their own and the bats and bullpen come through we can make a real run.

Not the greatest farm system by any stretch but that's what you get for drafting late every year. Cerda could be our next star - he's close to being MLB-ready despite not playing above A-ball yet.

04-17-2025, 09:06 AM	#243
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,308	September/October 2033 Final Regular Season Record: 105-57 (15-14 for the month) 1st place, AL East, #1 seed in the AL With the division effectively wrapped up going into September it was foot-off-the-gas-pedal time and the Rays slogged through while still winning 105 games. This month it was the bullpen's turn to be hit with injuries with setup man Juan Nunez missing most of the month (although he came back right before the end) and other setup guy Victor Vodnik suffering elbow inflammation (he'll probably miss the ALDS). We did get regular RF Ben Schmidt back but he just came off the IL at season's end. Lefty Brock Jones also came off the IL but saw his stamina decreased to 35 so he was used in the bullpen where he was hit hard (a .538 BABIP had something to do with it). Otherwise it was all about tuning up for the playoffs and thankfully nobody else was hurt. Here's how the final month+ went: And in the two October games, they beat Toronto 10-2 on the 1st and lost to them 3-0 on the 2nd. The final standings/leaders: We had a pair of Triple Crown winners in the NL - Colorado's Jack Ruckert led in AVG, HR and RBI, and San Diego's Nelson Chavarria led in Ws, ERA and Ks. Both should repeat as MVP and Cy Young respectively. In the AL the Yankees did back in to the final wild card, beating out the Angels on the season-series tiebreaker. Befitting a 105-win club there isn't much to complain about here (sure we strike out a lot but so what?). Tatis should win a third straight AL MVP but who had Quezada finishing 2nd on the team in WAR on their bingo card when the season began? The SS provided a solid glove and showed off his power and speed in a great season, not bad for a late-year waiver claim last season. Anderson was everything we hoped for as a one-season rental bopper at 1B and Basallo had a great bounce-back year from his disappointing maiden Rays season. Finally Crisp should get some Rookie of the Year votes despite only playing a half-season's worth of games. The pitching was very good in an overall sense with nobody really bad, but my only worry come playoff time is that there isn't anyone in the rotation who's a true ace or #1 starter. Maybe if you squint you can see a #2 but they're mostly 3s and 4s. But as long as they hold their own and the bats and bullpen come through we can make a real run. Not the greatest farm system by any stretch but that's what you get for drafting late every year. Cerda could be our next star - he's close to being MLB-ready despite not playing above A-ball yet.