The 2020 (and beyond) Tampa Bay Rays

[Art Deco]

Game 1: A 3-3 game into the 7th inning turned in to a Red Sox rout as the Rays' pen imploded and Boston won 10-3. Mike Bertram (2-1) started the fateful 7th by putting two men and Kevin Leonard once again couldn't get anyone out, giving up three straight hits to plate four runs (Leonard has now allowed 9 runs over 1 innings covering his last 3 outings), and Chris Hetzel gave up a couple of more hits to allow three more. Rex Bransington was a mixed bag at 4.2 5 3 3 2 8. The Rays had tied the game in the top of the 6th on a solo shot by Jon McGovern (#3).

Game 2: Tampa Bay returned the favor of the rout by blasting Boston 12-2 in the second game. Luis Barela was 3-5 with HR #23 and 3 RBI, Juan Davila was 2-5 with 4 RBI, Alex Duran went 3-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI and David Morales was 4-5 with an RBI triple. Chad Winger (7-3) was very good at 6 4 1 1 2 4 and Joe Roberts went the final 3 innings for his first save.

Game 3: The Rays nearly squandered leads of 7-0 and 8-1, hanging to take the game and the series from Boston with an 8-7 win. Juan Davila was 3-4 with an RBI and Luis Barela had a 2-run single as most of the bats got in on the action, and Steve Morris (8-2) was very good at 6 4 1 1 0 1. But the shaky bullpen reared its ugly head with the hapless Mike Bertram giving up 3 runs, and Mel Mejia getting into 8th-inning trouble allowing another run so Steve Talbott was brought in for a 4-out save. Talbott struck out the first man he faced to end that threat, but then gave up a 2-run homer to old friend Mario Saro in the 9th before getting a fly ball to mercifully end things and record save #23.

Team record: 53-16, still 6 1/2 up on the Yankees. Next up: A day off then 3 games in Chicago against the White Sox.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Jimmy Bernal was hit hard and the offense didn't do much after scoring twice in the first as the Rays dropped the opener at Guaranteed Rate Field (is Guaranteed Rate still in existence in 2051?) 6-3 to the White Sox. Bernal (5-2) was battered to the tune of 2.2 10 6 6 1 2. Luis Barela had a solo shot (#24).

Game 2: The Rays avenged yesterday's loss with an 8-5 win as they broke the game open with 4 in the 7th. Alex Duran banged out 4 hits and drove in a run while CJ Yamaguchi had a key 2-run double in that 7th after Jon Morales started the inning with a solo homer (#17). Juan Viatoro also knocked in a pair. Dave Rose (9-1) wasn't his sharpest at 5.2 9 3 3 1 3 but got the win while Steve Talbott made things interesting as usual by putting a couple on in the 9th but had three whiffs to nail down save #24.

Game 3: Tampa Bay took the series after exploding for 7 runs in the 5th, routing the Pale Hose 11-4. Alex Duran's 2-run double was the first big hit of the inning and Juan Davila capped it with a 3-run shot (#19). Juan Viatoro added a 2-run homer (#6) and Ruben Ramirez contributed a solo shot (#8). That was all more than enough for Rex Bransington (4-1), who went 5 4 2 2 1 6 for the win.

Team record: 55-17. The 6 1/2-game lead on the Yankees was maintained. Next up: Back home for 4 vs Baltimore.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays did their usual thing at Publix Park where they spotted the opponent a bunch of early runs then came back to win, allowing Baltimore a 4-0 lead before storming back to take a 7-4 victory. Chad Winger wasn't very good (3.2 9 4 4 0 3) but the comeback began when Beau Bonczek halved the Oriole lead with a 2-run shot (#18) in the 5th and they then exploded for 5 in the 6th including a Jon Morales homer (#18) and a Jon McGovern RBI triple. Joe Roberts (1-1) got the win with 2 1/3 scoreless in relief of Winger and Steve Talbott earned save #25.

Game 2: Tampa Bay allowed Baltimore to go ahead big early again but this time there was no comeback forthcoming as the Orioles dealt them a 6-1 loss. Steve Morris (8-3) was lousy at 4 7 5 5 1 3 and the bats were pretty much silent.

Game 3: The Rays lost consecutive games for the first time since early April when they dropped six straight to start the year 1-7 as the Orioles took a 6-2 win at Publix Park. Jimmy Bernal (5-3) gave up a 3-spot in the 1st but did settle down to finish 5 5 3 3 1 3. A Jon Morales solo shot (#19) in the 8th got them within 3-2 but Willie Navarro coughed up a 3-run homer in the 9th to put the game out of reach.

Game 4: Order restored as the Rays snapped back and salvaged a split of the series with a 7-2 win over Baltimore. Dave Rose became the AL's first 10-game winner with a fine 7 8 2 2 1 4 performance and a 4-run 3rd including a 2-run Juan Davila homer (#20) sent them on their way. Alex Duran added a 2-run shot of his own (#13) as part of a 3-hit day and reserve C Alvaro Alejandre found the seats for the first time this season.

Team record: 57-19. Next up: Houston visits for 3 games.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: This was an odd game which was 1-1 after 8 innings, only to see Houston score in the top of 9th off Steve Talbott. With two out in the bottom of the 9th Beau Bonczek doubled in the tying run to send us to the 10th, when Talbott gave up two more runs including a homer to former Rays star Doug Johns. But the Rays tied it up yet again when Alex Duran doubled in a run with two out after they had already plated one. And after Mel Mejia (5-0) held Houston scoreless in the top of the 11th, Juan Davila walked it off with a 2-run shot (#21) in a resilient 6-4 Rays win. The Rays got a good start from Rex Bransington (5 2 1 1 2 3) but didn't even manage a hit until the 7th (despite scoring an earlier run) when Duran came off the bench with a pinch-single, and had only two hits going into the 9th.

Game 2: Juan Davila is having an MVP-type season and after walking off a win the night before he led the Rays to victory again in a 7-3 win over Houston. Davila was 4-5 with a 2-run homer (#22) and RBI double while Beau Bonczek also went yard (#19) and knocked in a pair. Davila is hitting 345/397/637 with 22 HR, 66 RBI, and 3.6 WAR as we approach the season's midway point. He's first in average and OPS and second in RBI and WAR in the AL. It was also the Alec McInerney revenge game as last year's Rays free agent signed with Houston only to pitch in one game before being waived and released. We snapped him back up and today he won in his return to our rotation with a 5 5 1 1 1 2 outing, defeating the team which is still paying him.

Game 3: The finale was very similar to the first game except this time there was no Rays comeback and Houston won a rare 1-0 game at Publix Park. Chad Winger (7-4) was pretty good at 6 5 1 1 2 2 but took the tough-luck loss as the Astros' Jesus Silva dominated Rays bats to the tune of 7.1 2 0 0 0 10. Tampa Bay did put a couple of men on in the 9th but Juan Viatoro bounced into a double play to end the game.

Team record: 59-20. Next up: The homestand concludes with 3 games against Seattle as we reach the season's halfway mark.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Rays pitching and defense was lousy today at Publix Park as Seattle pounded them 13-7. It was actually a 7-6 Rays lead after a patented comeback of theirs led by a pair of Luis Barela homers (#25 & 26) with 4 RBI and Juan Davila's 4 hits. But the pitching kept giving back. Steve Morris was lousy at 4 8 6 6 0 2 and then Willie Navarro (4-2) allowed 4 runs while only recording one out in the 7th and for good measure the pen allowed 3 more in the 9th.

Game 2: The bullpen was brutal again as a 5-3 Rays lead after 6 turned into a 10-5 loss as they dropped their third straight game. Things looked good after Alex Duran's grand slam (#14) put them ahead and Dave Rose settled in after giving up 3 in the 1st to finish 6 8 3 3 2 7. But the normally-reliable Steve Kay (3-3) put two men on in the 7th, gave up a 3-run homer and then allowed another homer to the next batter. Joe Roberts then was tagged for 3 more in the 9th as things played out similarly to yesterday.

Game 3: The Rays finally got some good pitching (until the end) but couldn't score runs and lost 5-1 in 11 innings to Seattle, losing for the fourth straight game as they're in their worst run since they opened the season 1-7. Rex Bransington was great (5 3 1 1 2 8) but the offense was held to two hits and trailed 1-0 going into the bottom of the 9th. That's when Jon Morales stepped up with a big homer (#20) to tie it, and they should have won it in the 10th after loading the bases with nobody out. But a pair of strikeouts and a fly ball ended that threat and in the 11th Chris Hetzel (2-2) walked the bases loaded and then surrendered a grand slam to let Seattle sweep.

Team record: 59-23. Meanwhile the Yankees swept Houston and have made the division a race again, slicing 3 games off the lead and reducing it to 3 1/2. Next up: An off-day to lick our wounds then a weekend 3-game set at Fenway.

[Art Deco]

It's been a streaky season for the Rays, but obviously mostly good at 59-23. They famously started the season 1-7 and have gone 3-6 over their last 9, which means that in between they were an absurd 55-10.

Despite an effort to upgrade the defense, the results have been pretty much the same with the team dead last in defensive efficiency. Still there is slight improvement: Dantel Chinchilla has a 2.5 ZR at SS, a position which was a nightmare last year. But Jon McGovern hasn't been the flycatcher we'd hoped for at -3.9 ZR in half a season and while he might be slightly better than Beau Bonczek was there last season, it's not great. Speaking Bonczek, he's -2.2 in LF. And although Jon Morales has bounced back with the bat he's -2.8 so we have a lot of fly balls dropping in that other teams don't. And Juan Davila is still a butcher at 2B (-7.8!). In the cases of Davila and Jon Morales their bats are so good we have to live with it.



You can see how bad the defense is (.331 BABIP) and how much of the run prevention is their fault since our pitching staff is collectively tops in WAR in the AL. Still though for all the carping about the D we are 59-23 after all and that of course is thanks to the typical relentless offense, as seen below:



You know you have a good lineup when every regular in it is on pace for nearly 3 WAR or better.



Poor Kevin Leonard and Mel Mejia - it's almost a 50/50 proposition if they let the hitter put the ball into play it'll drop for a hit.

[Art Deco]

We made a trade!



Jon McGovern was worse defensively in CF than I thought when I pulled up the midseason numbers so I wanted to get someone up who could at least play average defensively at the position. Chris Kidd, who was up with us all of last year, fit that bill but someone needed to make room for him and turned out to be Yamaguchi, who was unbelievable in a reserve role last year but the regression pendulum swung way far in the other direction this year at 157/228/196. Yamaguchi also had no defensive value, limited to DH. So despite the lukewarm attitude of my AGM, you didn't have to ask me twice to take Avalos, who was offered when I shopped Yamaguchi and profiles as such:



That's a special bat, and he can least play the OF competently. For now he goes to Durham although he was up with Seattle and was underwhelming a bit playing every day at 264/327/413 with 4 HR. He's a lefty hitter and I see him as a replacement for pending free agent Alex Duran.

Game 1: The Rays got strong pitching and defense for a change and took a tidy 3-1 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park in the opener. Alec McInerney (2-0) continued to impress at 5.1 5 1 1 1 4 and Steve Talbott handled the 9th for save #26. Luis Barela's solo homer (#27) got them on the board and Juan Davila's RBI double broke a 1-1 tie in the 3rd.

Game 2: Chad Winger had a season-high 9 whiffs, leading the Rays to a 5-1 win over Boston. The lefty improved to 8-4 after going 5 5 1 1 3 9 on 98 pitches and got support from Jon McGovern (2-4, led off the game with HR #4) and Juan Davila (a 2-run double). The pen was spotless once again as well.

Game 3: The Rays completed the sweep of Boston in the same manner they won the first two games: excellent pitching and adequate hitting, prevailing 5-2. Today's solid starter was Steve Morris (9-3), who was 6 5 2 2 0 2 and Steve Talbott breezed through the 9th on nine pitches for save #27. Alex Duran homered (#15) with the bases empty and Chris Kidd had the game-winning hit when his RBI single in the 7th broke a 2-2 tie.

Team record: 62-23. The sweep enabled them to gain a game on the Yankees and up the division lead to 4 1/2. Next up: 3 games in Toronto as we'll spend our nation's birthday on foreign soil.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: It was a complete and utter annihilation of the Jays by the Rays today in the opener at Rogers Centre, a 17-2 win. Tampa Bay didn't waste any time scoring 7 runs in the first inning and piling on from there. Luis Barela was 2-4 with HR #28 and 5 RBI, Jon Morales was 3-5 with HR #21, 2 RBI and scored 5 runs, tying the team record, and Jon McGovern was 4-6 with a triple and 2 batted in. Juan Davila added HR #23 as 11 different Rays had hits. Dave Rose eased to 11-1 with the support, going 6 6 2 2 1 6 and Jimmy Bernal went the final three scoreless for his first save.

Game 2: The shoe was on the other foot today as the Jays got some revenge by routing the Rays 8-3. Rex Bransington (4-2) wasn't his best at 5 6 4 4 3 4, and Luis Barela accounted for all the Tampa Bay scoring with a 2-run homer and a solo shot to give him 30 homers for the 12th straight year, only failing to reach the mark in his rookie half-season in 2039 with Philadelphia.

Game 3: After a pair of routs going each way the teams split the difference with a close one in the finale as the Rays held on to prevail 6-5. All the Tampa Bay scoring came in the first three innings with Alex Duran leading the way, driving in 4 on a 3-run homer in the 1st (#16) and a sac fly in the 3rd. Alec McInerney went to 3-0 despite a lousy outing of 5.2 9 5 5 1 3 with a pair of homers allowed but the bullpen was sparking, holding Toronto hitless over the final 3 1/3 with Steve Talbott earning save #28.

Team record: 64-24. The 4 1/2-game on the Yankees was maintained and next up after an off-day we travel to Austin to play the AL Central-leading Dukes for 3 games before hitting the All-Star break.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays scored big early to put this one away as they downed the Dukes 9-3 in Austin. Jon Morales went deep twice and drove in 3 to reach 23 homers on the year, while Beau Bonczek (#20) and Juan Davila (#24) contributed solo blasts and David Morales drove in 3 with a double and a single. Chad Winger (9-4) wasn't his best but didn't need to be at 5.1 6 3 3 2 3 and Jimmy Bernal went the final 3 2/3 scoreless for his 2nd 3+ inning save.

Game 2: Tampa Bay coasted to a 5-2 win over Austin with both of the Dukes' runs coming in the 9th after things were decided. Steve Morris (10-3) was outstanding at 6 4 0 0 1 3 and although he shouldn't have been needed Steve Talbott had to get the final three outs for save #29 after Mike Bertram couldn't retire anyone with a 5-0 lead. Jon McGovern was 3-5 including HR #4 to lead off the game and David Morales came through with men on again, delivering a key 2-run single.

Game 3: The Rays didn't have it today, falling 6-3 to the Dukes. Dave Rose (11-2) gave up a pair of homers in a 6 8 5 5 1 7 outing with Beau Bonczek the only standout on offense, figuring into all of it today by doubling and scoring twice and driving in the other run.

Team record: 66-25. Despite taking 2 of 3 the Rays saw the Yankees shave a game off their division lead thanks to a sweep of Toronto as we head into the All-Star break 3 1/2 games up. Next up: After the break we'll resume play on Friday in Tampa with 3 against the Guardians.

[Art Deco]

The American League roster will feature these outstanding players:

SP Joe Anderson (NYY) - 4-5, 2.84 ERA, 101.1 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 2.1 WAR
SP Michael Bussey (AUS) - 5-4, 3.07 ERA, 91.0 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 2.3 WAR
SP Jeff Dunlap (SEA) - 4-3, 3.57 ERA, 70.2 IP, 1.43 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 0.4 WAR
SP Joel Gird (LAA) - 8-0, 2.29 ERA, 90.1 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 1.0 WAR
SP David Gonzalez (OAK)* - 9-2, 2.83 ERA, 114.1 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 10.2 K/9, 3.3 WAR
SP David Marrero (TEX) - 11-3, 3.83 ERA, 110.1 IP, 1.41 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 1.9 WAR
SP Eric Rimbach (DET) - 5-6, 3.35 ERA, 104.2 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 3.2 WAR
RP Mike Bressler (NYY) - 0-2, 2.40 ERA, 48.2 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 7.2 K/9, 0.3 WAR
RP Greg Matos (OC) - 4-3, 2.69 ERA, 77.0 IP, 1.10 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 1.0 WAR
RP Alex Toledo (DET) - 0-0, 2.55 ERA, 49.1 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 1.0 WAR
CL Jose Anez (NYY) - 5-1, 12 SV, 1.84 ERA, 53.2 IP, 1.38 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 0.7 WAR
CL Gilles Belmondo (HOU) - 0-1, 24 SV, 2.88 ERA, 34.1 IP, 0.90 WHIP, 10.0 K/9, 1.0 WAR
CL Jake Cid (LAA)* - 5-1, 20 SV, 1.64 ERA, 44.0 IP, 0.93 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 1.2 WAR
C Mario Emanis (HOU)* - .271/.335/.395, 177 AB, 3 HR, 98 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
C David Evans (TOR) - .302/.350/.624, 189 AB, 16 HR, 162 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
C David Morales (TB) - .281/.320/.356, 281 AB, 1 SB, 82 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
1B Juan Delgado (AUS) - .293/.326/.567, 351 AB, 22 HR, 3 SB, 142 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
1B Francis Moranchel (CLE) - .300/.402/.586, 210 AB, 13 HR, 170 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
1B Willie Serra (BAL) - .291/.328/.633, 313 AB, 31 HR, 160 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
1B Victor Serrato (CWS)* - .260/.347/.507, 300 AB, 18 HR, 3 SB, 135 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
2B Luis Chevez (CLE) - .314/.345/.459, 194 AB, 3 HR, 122 wRC+, 0.9 WAR
2B Juan Davila (TB) - .343/.395/.635, 367 AB, 24 HR, 177 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
2B Alex Diaz (BAL) - .305/.388/.553, 266 AB, 17 HR, 160 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
2B Gerald Minotes (OAK)* - .325/.376/.609, 335 AB, 22 HR, 3 SB, 169 wRC+, 4.6 WAR
3B Mike Banks (TOR) - .325/.375/.554, 305 AB, 15 HR, 13 SB, 155 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
3B Luis Barela (TB)* - .294/.387/.594, 330 AB, 30 HR, 165 wRC+, 4.0 WAR
SS Agustin Orozco (MIN)* - .267/.318/.443, 318 AB, 12 HR, 108 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
LF Markov Kachin (BOS)* - .293/.354/.564, 307 AB, 21 HR, 1 SB, 148 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
LF Pat Patterson (HOU) - .295/.365/.593, 302 AB, 26 HR, 162 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
CF Jose Bautista (NYY) - .295/.381/.527, 315 AB, 19 HR, 12 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
CF Beau Bonczek (TB) - .281/.351/.546, 306 AB, 20 HR, 138 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
CF Doug Johns (HOU)* - .251/.325/.440, 323 AB, 14 HR, 1 SB, 113 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
RF Alex Duran (TB)* - .314/.363/.564, 280 AB, 16 HR, 151 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
RF Jon Morales (TB)* - .306/.381/.598, 343 AB, 23 HR, 8 SB, 166 wRC+, 4.0 WAR

And the National League roster will have these elite performers:

SP Ron Allen (CLB) - 11-4, 2.50 ERA, 133.0 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 3.0 WAR
SP Sam Chapman (LAD) - 7-10, 4.00 ERA, 126.0 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 2.1 WAR
SP Josh Daunt (STL) - 2-1, 2.11 ERA, 59.2 IP, 0.97 WHIP, 7.8 K/9, 1.3 WAR
SP Jeremy Engle (ARI) - 5-2, 2.49 ERA, 68.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 2.2 WAR (Injured)
SP Randy Heller (CHC) - 11-4, 2.60 ERA, 121.1 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 4.0 WAR
SP Josh Langford (COL) - 12-3, 2.58 ERA, 108.0 IP, 0.94 WHIP, 8.5 K/9, 3.3 WAR
SP Melancton Macchio (CHC) - 8-2, 1.74 ERA, 93.0 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 7.8 K/9, 2.3 WAR
SP Adrian Ramos (SD) - 3-3, 2.62 ERA, 55.0 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 0.6 WAR
SP Mario Uribe (ATL) - 8-5, 2.48 ERA, 101.2 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 2.9 WAR
SP Ted Vanegas (COL)* - 9-5, 2.93 ERA, 126.0 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 5.3 WAR
RP Ricky Jagodzinski (NYM) - 5-2, 1.62 ERA, 72.0 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 4.6 K/9, 0.9 WAR
RP Eric Moen (SF) - 7-1, 2.88 ERA, 68.2 IP, 0.95 WHIP, 7.5 K/9, 0.5 WAR
RP Satoshi Sato (PHI) - 4-0, 1.49 ERA, 42.1 IP, 0.90 WHIP, 11.9 K/9, 1.7 WAR
RP Freddy Zamora (PHI)* - 5-2, 3.27 ERA, 41.1 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, 1.0 WAR
CL Steve Falcon (PHI) - 4-3, 25 SV, 1.49 ERA, 36.1 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 10.4 K/9, 1.4 WAR
CL Doug Stueber (IND) - 2-5, 15 SV, 3.76 ERA, 38.1 IP, 1.46 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, 0.2 WAR
C Nelson Bocardo (WSH) - .293/.333/.405, 232 AB, 1 HR, 3 SB, 101 wRC+, 0.8 WAR
C Ben Caperon (COL)* - .295/.360/.446, 258 AB, 2 HR, 10 SB, 110 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
C Alex Gonzalez (MIL) - .296/.345/.485, 233 AB, 11 HR, 128 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
1B Kai Briggs (NYM) - .288/.373/.516, 316 AB, 17 HR, 4 SB, 148 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
1B Mike Sistare (MIL)* - .261/.331/.519, 345 AB, 20 HR, 2 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.5 WAR (Injured)
1B Joel Taylor (PHI) - .287/.378/.520, 321 AB, 21 HR, 6 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
2B Joe Clardy (CIN) - .323/.408/.444, 279 AB, 4 HR, 3 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
2B Andy Hannan (COL)* - .246/.357/.449, 272 AB, 16 HR, 110 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
3B Jim Furtado (STL) - .267/.341/.503, 322 AB, 19 HR, 130 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
3B Kahawai Naivalu (COL)* - .313/.376/.560, 348 AB, 22 HR, 149 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
SS Chris Coon (CHC)* - .210/.283/.410, 290 AB, 13 HR, 88 wRC+, 0.3 WAR
LF Butch Bain (WSH) - .322/.370/.537, 320 AB, 15 HR, 16 SB, 145 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
LF Joey Bomar (ARI)* - .260/.337/.521, 315 AB, 21 HR, 4 SB, 130 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
LF Steve Stonecipher (MIL) - .273/.326/.573, 344 AB, 29 HR, 4 SB, 143 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
CF Mitch D'Urso (IND) - .286/.363/.511, 325 AB, 20 HR, 6 SB, 143 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
CF Danny Saldana (ARI)* - .279/.309/.499, 355 AB, 15 HR, 8 SB, 116 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
CF T.J. Wade (PIT) - .303/.369/.452, 290 AB, 9 HR, 13 SB, 130 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
RF Greg Barrett (ARI)* - .329/.388/.634, 328 AB, 24 HR, 173 wRC+, 5.0 WAR
RF Nelson Gamez (CHC)* - .294/.364/.668, 316 AB, 34 HR, 5 SB, 180 wRC+, 3.9 WAR (Injured)
RF Dave Schamp (CLB) - .303/.349/.620, 353 AB, 29 HR, 165 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
RF Christian Slayden (COL) - .370/.411/.620, 284 AB, 8 HR, 7 SB, 170 wRC+, 3.4 WAR

No Rays pitchers made it thanks to the defense but our usual array of offensive stars with David Morales making it in his rookie season, the 3rd trip for Davila, the 12th straight season for Barela, the 2nd for Bonczek and Duran and the 3rd for Jon Morales in as many seasons in the bigs.

The HR Derby, with Barela and Davila participating:



Not sure what was up with the dead baseballs, this was something more out of my 2021 Rays save.



The AL was held in check and by extension so were the Rays' representatives although Beau Bonczek did single in a run.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Juan Davila's 3-run homer (#25) in the bottom of the 8th pulled out a 4-2 win for the Rays over Cleveland at Publix Park in their return to action from the All-Star break. Davila had drawn a bases-loaded walk for the first Tampa Bay run and came through for the big blow with two out in the frame and the Rays one inning away from a 2-1 loss. Dave Rose was in good form (6 5 2 2 1 9) and Davila took him off the hook and made a winner of Jimmy Bernal (6-3) with Steve Talbott earning save #30.

Game 2: The Rays had an easier time of things in the second game, routing the Guardians 10-2. Although they didn't homer they banged out 15 hits led by David Morales going 3-4 with 3 RBI, Jon McGovern driving in 3 including a 2-run double, and Juan Davila adding 3 more hits and a ribbie. Rex Bransington (5-2) took a one-hitter into the 7th before putting a couple on who scored and finished 6.1 1 2 2 2 2.

Game 3: Tampa Bay completed the sweep with another easy win over Cleveland 8-1. It could have been a lot worse for the Guardians as the Rays had 20 hits and left 14 men on base. Luis Barela led the way on offense, going 3-4 with HR #31 and 3 RBI and also recording 3-hit days were Juan Davila, Juan Viatoro and David Morales. Chad Winger (10-4) was value for his win thanks to a 5 3 1 1 2 6 outing.

Team record: 69-25. The Yankees took 3 of 4 so the Rays add a 1/2 game to the division lead which is now 4 games. Next up: 3 games in Baltimore.

From the league:

One of the league's most exciting young players, David Morales of the Tampa Bay Rays earned himself American League Player of the Week honors with a standout performance in last week's games.

For the week the 25-year-old catcher had a lofty .769 average (10-for-13), collecting no home runs, 4 RBIs and 3 runs scored.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Juan Davila stayed red-hot and led the Rays to a 12-4 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards. Davila was 4-5 with 2 doubles, a walk and a solo homer (#26) to make it 12 for 19 since coming back from the All-Star break and he's taken over the AL WAR lead at 4.8. The Rays went up 5-0 in this one with Beau Bonczek adding a homer (#21) and Alec McInerney (4-0) was rolling at 6 3 0 0 1 2. But the bullpen made things tenuous, allowing the Orioles within 5-4 after 8, before they erupted for a 7-run 9th to put it away including a 3-run Juan Viatoro homer (#7). Steve Kay was part of the problem in the 8th but stayed on in the 9th for his 6th save.

Game 2: The Rays prevailed 7-3 over Baltimore in the second game and the offense was led by a couple of their less-heralded hitters. Dantel Chinchilla was 2-4 with 3 runs scored and a 2-run homer (#7) while Jon McGovern was 3-5 with a 2-run shot (#6). Steve Morris (11-3) scattered the hits but got the win going 5.1 10 3 3 0 4.

Game 3: Tampa Bay completed the sweep with a 10-2 rout in the final, scoring 5 times in the 1st inning. Beau Bonczek drove in 4 on the day including a 3-run shot (#22) in that big first, Luis Barela drove in a pair, and Jon Morales (#24) and Alex Duran (#17) also went deep. They made things easy for Dave Rose (12-2), who coasted at 8 5 1 1 1 5.

Team record: 72-25. The Yankees lost one of their games in Anaheim so the division lead is up to 4 1/2 games. Next up: An off-day then back home for 3 against Boston.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays opened their series at Publix Park with Boston by taking a 5-0 win. Rex Bransington (6-2) was in fine form going 7 5 0 0 0 5 and the offense did enough despite not getting a single extra-base hit. Luis Barela knocked in a pair to give them the early lead and Juan Viatoro's 2-run single in a 3-run 7th put it away.

Game 2: After a somewhat subdued performance in the opener the offense roared to life in the second game, scoring 11 times by the 4th inning on the way to a 14-3 rout of the Red Sox. Boston actually took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first but Alex Duran's grand slam (#18) in the bottom of the frame was an emphatic response and a 7-run 3rd broke it open. Chris Kidd got a rare start and took advantage, going 4-6 with a double and RBI single in that 4th and David Morales drove in 3 including a 2-run single in the 4th. Duran also tripled and drove in a 5th run. Chad Winger (11-4) had an easy time for the win, going 5.2 7 2 2 1 8.

Game 3: The Rays completed the sweep of Boston with another shutout win, prevailing 8-0 in the finale and outscoring the Sox 27-3 for the series. Alec McInerney improved to 5-0, 1.91 after a 5.2 6 0 0 1 4 outing. The move to put him in the rotation and shift Jimmy Bernal to the bullpen has paid dividends as Bernal has thrived in multi-inning relief with a combined 16.2 10 1 1 3 21 line in 7 bullpen appearances including 2 1/3 scoreless today. Meanwhile the offense got going in the 2nd with a 2-run Juan Viatoro triple and a 2-run Beau Bonczek homer (#23) while Luis Barela added a 3-run shot (#32) later and Alex Duran also went deep (#19).

Team record: 75-25. You don't need a calculator to compute that winning percentage and with the Yankees dropping a game the lead is up to 5 1/2 games. Next up: 3 games in Columbus against a Lightning team that's having a fine season at 63-38.

MLB News: Bob Riley, a mainstay of our rotation in the late 40s, is on the move again after he was traded from Atlanta to Houston where he joins his former Rays teammates Doug Johns and Gordie Ager. Also we had this game, which deserves the box score treatment:

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays prevailed 7-4 in the opener at Nationwide Ballpark in Columbus thanks to some late offense which broke open a game that was 2-2 going into the 7th. Alex Duran's 2-run homer (#20) in the 7th broke the deadlock and Chris Kidd's 2-run triple in the 8th broke it open. Kidd was only in the game because Jon Morales was ejected for disputing a called third strike. Morales (#25) and Beau Bonczek (#24) had hit solo homers for the first two Tampa Bay runs. Steve Morris was solid at 5 4 2 2 1 6, Kevin Leonard (2-1) got the win with a scoreless 6th, and Steve Talbott had to clean up Steve Kay's mess (three walks) in the 8th and get a 5-out save, his 31st.

Game 2: Tampa Bay was dealt a 5-2 loss by the Lightning when things got away from Dave Rose in the 5th and Columbus scored all their runs in the inning. They held a 1-0 lead on Juan Viatoro's 2nd-inning RBI double and Rose was great through 4 but he had some bad sequencing in the 5th, giving up a run, loading the bases, and then surrendering a grand slam to finish 6 5 5 5 4 4 and drop to 12-3.

Game 3: The Rays took the rubber game from Columbus 5-3. Jon McGovern, who had three hits on the night, brought home the winning run in the 4th on a fielder's choice and that 4-3 lead stood up through the 8th before Juan Viatoro added insurance with a solo homer (#8). Jon Morales had given the Rays a 3-0 lead with a 3-run blast in the 3rd (#26) but Columbus answered right back with 3 of their own in the bottom of the inning off Rex Bransington (7-2), who was sharp otherwise going 5 4 3 3 1 7. The bullpen was spotless, and Steve Talbott finished it off for save #32.

Team record: 77-26. The Yankees suffered a sweep so the Rays are now 7 1/2 up in the division and looking strong. Next up: An off-day then we head west to San Diego for 3.

[Art Deco]

We're always thinking ahead here in the Tampa Bay Rays front office and although the last thing a 77-26 team needs is a shakeup we need to keep our eyes on the prize. And since we had already acquired his replacement a few weeks earlier and he was going to be a free agent at season's end, it was time to see what would get for this guy and here was the answer:



So long to Alex Duran, who spent 5 2/3 seasons as a cog in our lineup primarily against RH pitching. He raked at 311/363/571 with 127 HR and 437 RBI in 645 games (524 starts). But we couldn't pass up the combo of Lozada and Lopez. More on them:

Lozada:



This of course is the profile of a leadoff hitter, albeit one who mainly gets on base via the hit rather than the walk. But what a hit tool it is, and in 212 MLB at-bats so far he's hit 349/388/462. And playing in Publix Park he should be a regular contender for the batting title. Right now he's out with a partially torn labrum through late September so he'll be mainly helping us next year (although he could make the playoff roster).

Lopez:



Lopez is less exciting than Lozada but an interesting addition nonetheless as he's a starter with 60 stuff and 65 movement. Of course that goes with 45 control and he did walk 32 in 40 IP as a starter this year in AAA although only 2 in 9 1/3 innings with the Cardinals. He'll go to Durham for now but give us some quality pitching depth.

And of course the trade of Duran means it's time for the Ezequiel Avalos era to begin in Tampa Bay. We told you all about him here, and to that I'll add he crushed the ball at Durham in the meantime to the tune of 372/416/744 with 6 HR and 22 RBI in 22 games. With top prospect Jesus Avalos having a fine year in AA we could be overrun with Avaloses just as we have Moraleses on our roster at the moment.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Can't remember the last time this club played in San Diego, but we haven't missed based on the opener as the Padres clubbed the Rays 7-0. The bats were held to four hits and Chad Winger (11-5) wasn't every effective at 4.2 6 5 5 1 2. Ezequiel Avalos made his Rays debut and it wasn't very memorable, striking out with two on and two out in the first, hitting into a double play in the 3rd and leaving the bases loaded later in the game for an 0-4, 5 LOB night.

Game 2: The Rays bounced back to beat the Padres 3-0 as a trio of hurlers combined on an 8-hit shutout. Alec McInerney went to 6-0, 1.66 in 8 starts since rejoining the club after a 5 6 0 0 0 7 outing today, Jimmy Bernal went 3 scoreless and Steve Talbott finished for save #33. A 3-run 3rd saw all the Rays scoring with Juan Davila blasting a 2-run homer (#27) and Ezequiel Avalos getting his first hit as a Ray, an RBI double as he was 2-4 on the day.

Game 3: Tampa Bay took the series from San Diego with a 5-2 win in the finale. Steve Morris (12-3) was solid at 6.1 6 2 2 1 6 and Steve Talbott saved again, his 34th. And it was Juan Davila to the rescue again as the front-runner to be AL MVP had a 3-run homer in the 5th (#28) with Jon Morales going-back-to-back with him, his 27th longball. Ezequiel Avalos had an RBI single to get the Rays on the board as he settles in.

Team record: 79-27. The Yankees dropped 2 of 3 up the coast in LA so the division lead has grown to a stout 8 1/2 games. Next up: Flying back home for 3 against Milwaukee as interleague play continues.

[Art Deco]

Trades! We've got trades!



There was a lot of interest in backup C Alvaro Alejandre at the deadline so I shopped him around the league and found Minnesota offering their closer Berumen. He has 75 stuff, 60 movement and 55 control and makes the minimum, which meets the twin goals of beefing up our pen from the right side this year and having a cheap closer next year when Steve Talbott goes free agent. To make room for Berumen we made a minor trade, shipping free-agent-to-be Mike Bertram who could never pitch behind our lousy defense (158 hits allowed in 128 IP over the last two seasons) to Seattle for minor-league lefty Eddie Lilly, who's questionable to ever don a big league uniform for us. (And of course Bertram pitched 7 shutout innings as a starter for the Mariners in his debut).

Replacing Alejandre to back up David Morales is Chris Scroggins, the catching prospect we acquired from Washington in the winter for Nelson Bocardo. By the way we got off the Bocardo train at just the right time - he's dropped off to 40 defense (he was a 55 with us last year) and has hit .273 with 2 homers, good for 0.2 WAR with the Nats.

Monday's opener was rained out so we played a doubleheader on Tuesday.

Game 1: The Rays romped in the opening game of the series and the doubleheader, blasting the Brewers 11-5 at Publix Park (Milwaukee scored 4 in the 9th). Jon Moralres was 3-5 with 4 RBI, including a 3-run homer (#28), Juan Davila was 3-4 with a double and RBI, and Jon McGovern went 2-5 with HR #9. Dave Rose (13-3) was dominant at 7 4 1 0 2 8 for the win. One interesting note: Milwaukee's 4 in the 9th included a 3-run homer from 42-year-old former Rays superstar and 2037 AL MVP Omar Rodriguez, who's still hanging around (the homer was his first of the year).

Game 2: Tampa Bay swept the doubleheader in dramatic fashion, hitting a pair of solo homers in the bottom of the 9th to turn a 1-0 loss into a 2-1 walk-off win. Jon Morales led off the inning with HR #29 and his second of the day, and then with two out Beau Bonczek sent us home a winner with his 25th. Rex Bransington was good (5 4 1 1 4 4) and the pen was excellent as well with Mario Berumen getting the win with a 1-2-3 9th in his Rays debut. The lone Milwaukee run came on another Omar Rodriguez homer as he turned back the years playing in Publix Park once again.

Game 3: The Rays completed the series sweep with a 7-3 win over Milwaukee in the finale. Luis Barela's grand slam in the 5th (#33) broke open a 1-0 game and Jon Morales capped a big series by driving in the other three runs on an RBI single and a big 2-run double in the bottom of the 6th after Milwaukee climbed back within 5-3 in the top of the inning. Chad Winger (12-5) was dealing through 5 but couldn't get anyone out in the 6th, finishing 5 5 3 3 1 4.

Team record: 82-27. The Yankees lost a couple more so the division lead is now 10 1/2 games, officially marking the time when I stop reporting on it unless things change drastically. Next up: An off-day to fly cross-country and play 3 in Anaheim against the Angels, who are 55-54.

In the last post I mentioned Jesus Avalos is one of our top prospects, and he backed that up on the field for Montgomery in July:

Even though he is a newcomer to Southern League, Jesus Avalos put up some good numbers in July and earned the SL Batter of the Month award.

He was one of Montgomery's offensive leaders with a .373 average in 29 games. He also racked up 4 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 11 runs scored.

So far this season Avalos has hit .292 with 11 home runs, 64 RBIs and scored 50 times.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Alec McInerney didn't have it today and he put the Rays in an early 6-0 hole that they nearly came back from, falling 6-4 to the Angels in the opener in Anaheim. McInerney (6-1) suffered his first loss of 2051, allowing a pair of 2-run homers in the first and finishing a rough 2.1 6 6 6 2 1. The pen did a fine job keeping the Angels at 6 and homers from Luis Barela (#34), Ezequiel Avalos (his first as a Ray and 5th overall) and Jon Morales (#30) got them back into it but they still fell short.

Game 2: Rinse and repeat as another Rays lefty starter wasn't effective and they dropped another to the Angels 5-2. Steve Morris (12-4) wasn't as bad as McInerney yesterday but he wasn't good either, going 4.2 4 4 4 2 4. And just like yesterday Luis Barela (#35) and Ezequiel Avalos (#2/6) homered again in a losing cause. Keeping Tampa Bay bats in check for LA today was former Ray Joel Gird.

Game 3: The Rays avoided a sweep thanks to an 8-1 drubbing of LA in the finale behind a standout Dave Rose performance. The Rays' ace righty improved to 14-3 after going 5.2 2 1 1 3 7 and he had plenty of supporting starting with Beau Bonczek's 3-run homer (#26) in the first inning. And for the third straight day Luis Barela (#36) and Ezequiel Avalos (#3/7) homered with each knocking in a pair.

Team record: 83-29. Next up: Back home for 3 vs Oakland against an A's team which is tied with Seattle for the AL West lead at 60-52.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Not a lot of runs in this one but the Rays had one more than the A's in a 3-2 victory at Publix Park. Ezequiel Avalos' 2-run single in the 5th was the difference, and ensured that Rex Bransington (8-2) would get the win after going 5 5 0 0 2 2. New pickup Mario Berumen gave up 2 runs in the 8th to make it a nail-biter before Steve Talbott handled the 9th for his 35th save.

Game 2: Once again runs were unusually scarce at Publix Park but this time it was Oakland which came out on top in a 3-1 win over the Rays. Chad Winger (12-6) gave up a couple of solo homers in the 4th and that was enough to doom the Rays to defeat despite a decent outing of 6.1 5 3 3 2 3.

Game 3: The Rays bounced back to take the finale and the series with a 6-1 triumph. David Morales delivered the key blow, a bases-clearing double in a 5-run 3rd inning, and Alec McInerney (7-1) bounced back from his only loss of the season to get the win at 5.2 6 1 1 2 3. Joe Roberts loaded the bases in the 8th, creating a 4-out save for Steve Talbott, his 36th.

Team record: 85-30. Next up: An off-day before Texas comes to town for 3 games.

Transaction: We signed old friend Chris O'Brien to a minor league deal and he'll report to Durham. The lefty pitched for us from 2046-49 and was released by Washington despite pitching well this year (1.3 WAR in 51 IP). He'll give us some depth.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays did all their work tonight in the 5th inning, scoring 6 times to beat Texas 6-2 in their series opener at Publix Park. The big hits were a 2-run triple from Juan Viatoro and a 2-run Jon McGovern double, backing the excellent pitching of Steve Morris (13-4) who went 5 3 0 0 2 4. The staff took a shutout into the 9th before Joe Roberts gave up a couple of runs.

Game 2: Texas snapped back and beat the Rays 6-1 in the second game as veteran Rangers starter Manny Cervantes held the Tampa Bay bats in check. Dave Rose (14-4) had his struggles at 4.2 8 4 3 0 5 as well.

Game 3: A back-and-forth game saw the Rays take the win and the series when the Rangers wild-pitched the winning run home in the 11th to give Tampa Bay a 4-3 triumph. The game started with the Rays going up 2-0 and Rex Bransington taking a no-hitter into the 6th before he tired and put a couple on which Chris Hetzel allowed to score along with one of his own and they trailed 3-2. Bransington finished 5.1 2 2 2 1 8 in a very good outing and the Rays tied it in the 8th on an Ezequiel Avalos RBI single. They then loaded the bases with nobody out in the 11th and were likely to score anyway, but Texas reliever Asa Passmore uncorked a wild pitch to end it. Joe Roberts (2-1) picked up the relief win.

Team record: 87-31. Next up: Detroit visits for three.