The 2022 (and beyond) Tampa Bay Rays - Page 39

Art Deco · 01-17-2024, 07:54 AM

Game 1: 5-2 W. WP-Eldridge (4-5). S-R.Rodriguez (21). Starter-Evans (4 4 2 2 3 7). HR-Franco (4), Caminero (6), G.Henderson (11). The Rays got three solo homers but the big hit was a 2-run Rodolfo Solano double which put them ahead to stay in the 4th.

Game 2: 11-2 W. WP-Khattak (9-3, 7 5 1 1 1 5). HR-Hardy 2 (15). Alistair Hardy had a huge day, going 3-5 with a double, 2 HR (including a slam) and 5 RBI while the team had 10 doubles (including 3 from Nelson Haro) and 43 total bases. Khattak was brilliant even though he didn't have to be.

Game 3: 4-5 L. LP-Bradley (6-5, 6.1 6 4 4 0 6). HR-Haro (7). A 3-run 7th for Boston to make it 5-0 turned out to be decisive when the Rays got 4 back in the 8th, including a 3-run Haro homer that traveled 507 feet near the top of the RCF stands in Fenway, maybe the longest homer I've seen in a game I played out in all my saves.

Game 4: 1-2 L. LP-Dodson (2-2). Starter-Acosta (5 1 1 1 4 8). Dodson gave up a 7th-inning solo shot to Spencer Torkelson for the game-winner (or game-loser) and Rays hitters fanned 17 times to short-circuit more than one rally in a tough loss.

Team record: 42-32. The Jays shaved a game off the division lead, which is down to 1 1/2. Next up: 3 games at home against the dreadful Diamondbacks, who are 26-48.

Art Deco · 01-21-2024, 11:06 PM

Game 1: 1-2 L (10). LP-R.Rodriguez (0-4). Starter-Eldridge (7.2 4 1 1 2 7). The bats were held to four hits and Rodriguez gave up an RBI double in the 10th to lose it.

Game 2: 1-2 L (11). LP-R.Rodriguez (0-5). Starter-Evans (6 1 1 0 3 6). HR-Albies (10). Rinse and repeat - the Rays lose their third straight 2-1 game as heartbreak reigns supreme. Once again R-Rod gave up the winner, this time on a homer as the Rays lose again to the dreadful Diamondbacks. To make matters worse Rodriguez suffered a strained forearm and will be out a couple of weeks.

Transaction: Randy Rodriguez goes on the IL and Christian Rodriguez is back up from Durham. Gerald Ogando will close in the interim.

Game 3: 14-5 W. WP-Khattak (10-3, 7 10 5 5 1 7). HR-Solano (8), Hardy (16), Haro (8). The offense finally exploded, erupting for 8 runs in the 4th to annihilate Arizona. Haro and Solano each had 4 hits including a homer, with Haro knocking in 3 while Luciano and E.Green had 3 hits apiece and combined to bring home 3. Wander also drove in 3 with 2 hits including a double as they banged out 20 in all, taking out the frustrations of the last three games.

Team record: 43-34. Fortunately Toronto also dropped 2 of 3 to an NL West team (Colorado) to stay 1 1/2 back of the Rays. Next up: Another NL West opponent as the 40-38 Dodgers come to the Trop for 3.

Art Deco · 01-25-2024, 08:02 PM

Game 1: 3-1 W. WP-Bradley (7-5, 5.1 3 1 1 2 6). S-Ogando (5). HR-Hardy (17), E.Green (8). Excellent pitching and the bat of Alistair Hardy, who was 3-3 with a solo homer and an insurance RBI single, led the Rays to victory.

Game 2: 2-1 W. WP-Okuda (5-0). Starter-Acosta (6.1 3 0 0 1 8). The Rays scored twice in the 9th to pull out a dramatic win with the decider scoring on a walk-off wild pitch after Yordan Alvarez's sac fly tied it. Acosta continues to be a stud in the rotation.

Game 3: 0-1 L. LP-Eldridge (4-6, 7.1 5 1 1 2 4). No late rally today as the Rays played binary baseball once again, coming up on the short end despite their third straight game allowing only one run.

Team record: 45-35, still 1 1/2 up on Toronto in the East. Next up: A day off then we spend the July 4 weekend at Wrigley Field with 3 against the Cubs.

Art Deco · 01-26-2024, 08:49 AM

Where things stand around MLB:

The Rays are somewhat fortunate to be in first place given their good-but-not-great record and the main story this season has been the weak offense but great run prevention. Some big names are slumping and the offense is capable of better, so we'll see how it goes over the next few weeks but there could also be a move to bring in an impact bat.

And this is all borne out by the team numbers above. Aside from it being a team of extremes relative to hitting and pitching, it's also a team that is almost unbeatable at home but struggles mightily on the road with a .320 win percentage difference between the two. And we're an abysmal 0-6 in extra-inning games, the primary culprit in being two games worse than our Pythagorean record. This has been one of the better defenses I've had in all my Rays saves, though.

The (largely) ugly numbers from the bats. Haro has finally lived up to the promise of his bat and Hardy has carried the team with his power but the likes of Yordan, Caminero, Albies and offseason acquisition Gunnar Henderson have been serious underachievers (96 Ks in 225 AB for Henderson?). Missing Wander for a month+ didn't help either but I have to think there'll be some positive regression in the second half.

As lousy as the hitting is, you can see how great the pitching has been, backed up by an above-average defense. The story of the year has been the transformation of Aldry Acosta from an un-clutch reliever into a stud starter with the oddity that virtually every start of his ends in a no-decision (he's 1-1 in 18 appearances including 14 starts). That'll happen when you get a ridiculous 1.2/start of run support. Even Bryce Eldridge has turned things around, bouncing back after a bad April (9.82 ERA) to put up ERAs of 2.05, 3.49 and 1.23 (albeit in one start) in the months since.

No imminent help from the farm. Lennon is our best pitching prospect and is at Durham, but still needs polish before coming up and we really don't need pitching help anyway right now unless someone gets hurt. Viola looks like our CF of the future although he could be supplanted by Valenzuela.

Art Deco · 01-30-2024, 06:40 PM

Game 1: 6-1 W. WP-Okuda (6-0). Starter-German (3 0 0 0 0 5). HR-Albies (11). Wander was 3-4 with a double and 2 RBI and Albies had 2 hits including a solo shot to lead the way. They could have scored 12-13 today but left 15 on base. German had to leave with a minor tweak after 3 perfect innings but won't miss his next start.

Game 2: 6-0 W. WP-Evans (3-4, 6 2 0 0 0 12). HR-Haro (9). Donye pitched one of the best games of his pro career and the Rays clinched a rare road series win. Six different Rays drove in a run including Hardy who had 3 hits.

Game 3: 9-5 W. WP-Okuda (7-0). Starter-Khattak (3.2 5 4 4 3 4, 2 HR). HR-Caminero (7). Khattak put them in an early 4-1 hole but a 6-run 6th turned the tide and gave the Rays a sweep of a Cub team that was 49-32 coming into the series. 4 different Rays knocked in a pair, including Gunnar Henderson who was also on base with two walks. Ryan Okuda meanwhile seems to be a good luck charm as he now has 7 relief wins without a loss.

Team record: 48-35. Toronto took 2 of 3 so the lead is back up to 2 1/2 games. Next up: Back home for 4 against Baltimore.

MLB News: Atlanta's Austin Riley hit career homer #300.

Art Deco · 02-03-2024, 10:24 PM

Game 1: 7-3 W. WP-Bradley (8-5, 7 2 1 1 1 6). HR-Albies (12). Taj was terrific and Wander had a big day with a bases-clearing triple and RBI double.

Game 2: 7-1 W. WP-Acosta (2-1, 5 3 1 1 1 8). HR-Hardy (18), Luciano (3), E.Green (9). Rays won their fifth straight and eighth in their last nine fairly comfortably thanks to a monster game from Elijah Green, who was 4-5 with a homer, 3 RBI and 3 stolen bases. Aldry Acosta meanwhile finally got a decision, only his third in fifteen starts despite sporting a 2.27 ERA.

Game 3: 3-4 L. LP-Armenta (3-3). Starter-Eldridge (6 4 1 1 0 7). HR-Solano (9). A tough one as the Rays let a 3-0 lead get away in the late innings when Armenta, who came into the game with an 0.97 ERA, gave up a 2-run homer to Adley Rutschman in the 8th to put Baltimore ahead.

Game 4: 4-1 W. WP-German (6-3, 6.2 4 1 1 3 11). S-Ogando (6). HR-G.Henderson (12). German had a dominant outing, his best in a while, and Gunnar's 2-run homer in the 5th was the game's key blow.

Team record: 51-36, now 3 1/2 up on Toronto in the AL East. Next up: 3 games at home against 35-52 Colorado before we hit the All-Star Break, and we also have the Amateur Draft.

Art Deco · 02-07-2024, 04:04 PM

Kind of a weak draft class overall, at least in terms of depth when it came our turn to pick at #28. All 20-80 scale references are for potential unless indicated otherwise.

Gurrola: A 20-year-old JuCo OF from Indiana, he has good bat-to-ball skills with 70 contact, 55 power and 65 avoid Ks, as well as potential 80 gap power and a 55 eye. He's also very fast (70 speed) and could be a plus defensive OF (70 LF, 50 CF, 60 RF).

Winters: A high-school kid with big power (70) and good contact (65) and a possible 55 at the hot corner.

Gallardo: An intriguing high-schooler from New York with potentially elite bat-to-ball skills (80 contact, 80 avoid Ks) and 65 power though he swings at everything (30 eye). He's also not much of a fielder (40 at 1B and the OF corners) so he'll really have to hit.

Fulce: Hailing from the famous Crenshaw High (Darryl Strawberry's alma mater), he's a potential plus fielder in the OF corners to go with 60 contact, 55 power and an elite 80 eye.

Moncayo: A 17-year-old from Puerto Rico, he offers a potential big bat behind the plate (60 contact, 65 power), though his defensive ceiling for now is 45 so the bat will be his ticket to the bigs.

Art Deco · 02-07-2024, 04:19 PM

Game 1: 7-5 W. WP-Buckman (1-0). Starter-Evans (4 4 3 3 2 7). HR-Albies (13). High drama at the Trop as Ozzie Albies' walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 9th kept the Rays hot. Elijah Green's bases-clearing double brought home their other three runs.

Game 2: 4-3 W. WP-Khattak (11-3, 6.1 6 1 1 1 7). S-Armenta (1). Khattak was brilliant, Gunnar Henderson finished a homer short of the cycle and scored twice, and Erubiel Armenta earned his first Rays save to lead the Rays to another victory.

Game 3: 12-3 W. WP-Bradley (9-5, 5 6 3 3 2 2). The offense came out today, piling up 15 hits to complete the sweep of the Rockies to make it 9 wins in their last 10 as the Rays reluctantly head into the All-Star break. Rodolfo Solano brought home 4 including a 2-run triple, Ozzie had a bases-clearing double to give him a 7-ribbie series, and Wander knocked in 3 with a pair of doubles.

Team record: 54-36, now good enough to reach the .600 mark and also now up 4 1/2 on Toronto atop the AL East. Next up: The break, before resuming play Thursday in Toronto for 4 big games with a chance to break open the division race or let the Jays right back in it.

MLB News: St. Louis' Dylan Carlson hit his 300th career homer while the Cubs' Riley Greene (a former Rays rental) is pretty much done for the season with a severely strained hamstring.

Art Deco · 02-10-2024, 09:28 AM

The squads:

The American League All-Stars feature these players:

SP Aldry Acosta (TB) - 2-1, 2.27 ERA, 79.1 IP, 0.87 WHIP, 11.8 K/9, 2.3 WAR
SP Robert Ahlstrom (NYY)* - 6-4, 3.92 ERA, 105.2 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 11.2 K/9, 3.7 WAR
SP Luarbert Arias (SEA) - 6-3, 2.42 ERA, 85.2 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 2.1 WAR
SP Frank Balandra (SEA) - 6-5, 2.14 ERA, 109.1 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 2.5 WAR
SP Jonathan Burgos (MIN) - 9-6, 2.41 ERA, 97.0 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 2.2 WAR
SP Hector de Alba (CLE) - 11-4, 3.10 ERA, 113.1 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 3.2 WAR
SP Edgar Isea (BOS) - 7-6, 3.52 ERA, 79.1 IP, 1.27 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 2.0 WAR
RP Erubiel Armenta (TB)* - 3-3, 1.36 ERA, 39.2 IP, 0.91 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 1.5 WAR
RP Andrew Dalquist (OAK) - 2-3, 3.54 ERA, 53.1 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, 0.5 WAR
RP Pete Fairbanks (TOR) - 2-1, 1.94 ERA, 46.1 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 9.5 K/9, 0.1 WAR
RP Kyle Johnston (CLE) - 4-0, 2.36 ERA, 49.2 IP, 1.47 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 0.5 WAR
CL Darwin Cruz (TOR) - 5-1, 17 SV, 1.66 ERA, 38.0 IP, 0.74 WHIP, 14.9 K/9, 2.5 WAR
CL Daysbel Hernandez (CLE) - 3-3, 25 SV, 2.72 ERA, 36.1 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, 1.3 WAR
C MJ Melendez (KC) - .286/.352/.510, 259 AB, 14 HR, 9 SB, 133 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
C Mario Rosales (BOS) - .260/.330/.451, 246 AB, 10 HR, 1 SB, 110 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
C Adley Rutschman (BAL)* - .333/.375/.716, 282 AB, 31 HR, 192 wRC+, 5.3 WAR
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - .308/.381/.584, 334 AB, 27 HR, 3 SB, 156 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
1B Jacob Krieg (KC) - .273/.373/.527, 319 AB, 21 HR, 145 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
1B Jose Pino (TEX)* - .265/.365/.484, 306 AB, 19 HR, 2 SB, 133 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
1B Justin Williams (HOU)* - .275/.369/.613, 313 AB, 30 HR, 163 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
2B Juan Corona (MIN) - .319/.366/.515, 357 AB, 15 HR, 5 SB, 139 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
2B Dansby Swanson (NYY)* - .286/.369/.548, 301 AB, 21 HR, 6 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
2B Brice Turang (LAA) - .237/.306/.361, 291 AB, 6 HR, 3 SB, 81 wRC+, 0.3 WAR
3B Enger Castellano (DET) - .297/.362/.562, 192 AB, 12 HR, 150 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
3B Justin Sill (CWS)* - .306/.377/.647, 343 AB, 33 HR, 1 SB, 177 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
SS Antonio Anderson (CWS) - .246/.299/.537, 313 AB, 23 HR, 4 SB, 123 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
SS Carlos Correa (HOU)* - .268/.365/.448, 328 AB, 13 HR, 4 SB, 127 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
LF Alex Menjivar (HOU)* - .297/.363/.533, 306 AB, 19 HR, 1 SB, 144 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
LF Jordan Ramos (TEX) - .277/.356/.561, 310 AB, 23 HR, 147 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
LF Juan Soto (CLE) - .364/.477/.762, 143 AB, 17 HR, 3 SB, 236 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
CF Trent Grisham (DET) - .285/.362/.515, 305 AB, 14 HR, 16 SB, 135 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
CF Julio Rodriguez (SEA)* - .335/.405/.588, 328 AB, 19 HR, 13 SB, 171 wRC+, 5.3 WAR
RF Yohendrick Pinango (TEX) - .322/.392/.512, 326 AB, 13 HR, 8 SB, 148 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
RF Kyle Tucker (HOU)* - .273/.349/.506, 330 AB, 18 HR, 4 SB, 133 wRC+, 2.3 WAR

On the National League All-Star roster will be:

SP Corbin Burnes (SD) - 9-4, 2.98 ERA, 123.2 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, 4.3 WAR
SP Parker Detmers (WSH)* - 7-3, 2.55 ERA, 81.1 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 12.2 K/9, 2.6 WAR
SP Jonathan Edwards (ARI) - 2-7, 4.06 ERA, 84.1 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, 2.3 WAR
SP Brailyn Marquez (PHI) - 10-4, 3.55 ERA, 104.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 13.6 K/9, 2.3 WAR (Injured)
SP Zach McCambley (MIL) - 3-1, 2.54 ERA, 63.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 7.8 K/9, 0.3 WAR
SP Ryan Pepiot (MIA) - 8-5, 1.98 ERA, 109.1 IP, 0.92 WHIP, 9.2 K/9, 3.5 WAR
SP Kumar Rocker (NYM) - 7-3, 2.32 ERA, 112.2 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 8.4 K/9, 2.4 WAR
SP Trevor Rogers (LAD) - 5-5, 3.96 ERA, 84.0 IP, 1.36 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, 0.7 WAR
RP Evan Adolphus (CIN) - 2-2, 2.27 ERA, 47.2 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, 1.0 WAR
RP Sam McWilliams (COL) - 1-4, 3.33 ERA, 48.2 IP, 1.44 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 0.8 WAR
RP Max Meyer (STL) - 3-3, 4 SV, 2.08 ERA, 39.0 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 12.7 K/9, 1.2 WAR
RP Alex Rose (SF) - 3-2, 2.18 ERA, 53.2 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 1.2 WAR
CL Billy Sullivan (STL)* - 1-2, 24 SV, 4.41 ERA, 34.2 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 16.1 K/9, 0.8 WAR
CL Alex Vesia (SD) - 3-5, 11 SV, 4.19 ERA, 34.1 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 12.6 K/9, 0.7 WAR
C Francisco Alvarez (NYM) - .196/.282/.348, 250 AB, 8 HR, 75 wRC+, 0.3 WAR
C Luis Campusano (SF)* - .315/.396/.559, 222 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 163 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
C Drew Romo (CHC) - .259/.308/.418, 232 AB, 8 HR, 92 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
1B Nate McCollum (MIA)* - .288/.356/.595, 333 AB, 27 HR, 159 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
1B Jamel White (STL) - .312/.338/.560, 375 AB, 18 HR, 143 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
2B Oswald Peraza (SA) - .274/.331/.451, 317 AB, 13 HR, 9 SB, 113 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
2B Jorge Polanco (NYM)* - .265/.353/.441, 306 AB, 14 HR, 3 SB, 123 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
3B Nolan Arenado (CIN) - .239/.308/.471, 289 AB, 17 HR, 1 SB, 109 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
3B Joel Owens (ATL) - .254/.312/.526, 327 AB, 23 HR, 6 SB, 124 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
3B Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD) - .255/.350/.507, 294 AB, 21 HR, 8 SB, 136 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
3B Jordan Walker (STL)* - .279/.375/.568, 308 AB, 24 HR, 7 SB, 159 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
3B Bobby Witt Jr. (PHI) - .289/.349/.494, 336 AB, 17 HR, 24 SB, 127 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
SS Aeverson Arteaga (WSH) - .270/.351/.438, 315 AB, 9 HR, 10 SB, 113 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
SS Eric Bitonti (PHI)* - .344/.384/.607, 270 AB, 18 HR, 1 SB, 169 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
LF Manny Becerra (COL) - .345/.378/.538, 316 AB, 2 HR, 50 SB, 141 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
LF Tyler O'Neill (STL)* - .275/.350/.507, 302 AB, 19 HR, 7 SB, 134 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
CF Riley Greene (CHC)* - .317/.400/.555, 319 AB, 16 HR, 162 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
RF Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL)* - .254/.373/.540, 276 AB, 23 HR, 12 SB, 149 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
RF Mookie Betts (LAD)* - .289/.387/.496, 270 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 144 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
RF Omar Delgado (CIN) - .282/.350/.665, 266 AB, 30 HR, 2 SB, 172 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
RF Tony Ortiz (SD) - .370/.409/.495, 305 AB, 6 HR, 13 SB, 155 wRC+, 2.8 WAR

It's the first appearance for the Rays' sole reps, Acosta and Armenta.

The derby:

The game:

Aldry Acosta was effective in his lone inning of work and Erubiel Armenta never made it out of the bullpen.

Art Deco · 02-10-2024, 06:10 PM

Game 1: 2-1 W. WP-Armstrong (3-0). S-Ogando (7). Starter-Evans (5 2 0 0 1 8). HR-Haro (10). Solano's RBI single broke a 1-1 tie in the 9th after Haro homered to put them up in the 8th and the Jays immediately answered. Tampa Bay overcame a 7 2 0 0 1 13 outing from Toronto's Kyle Muller in opening up a 5 1/2-game lead in the AL East.

Transaction: Yordan Alvarez, having a miserable season with only 6 HR, injured his back throwing a runner out at the plate in today's game so he goes on the IL where he should come right back, and OF Manny Tovar is recalled from Durham.

Game 2: 1-4 L. LP-Khattak (11-4, 6 5 2 2 0 5). HR-Haro (11). The bats were cold again today and this time it resulted in a loss. And the team suffered a more serious loss as last winter's big pickup, Gunnar Henderson, tore his labrum and is done for the year. Victor Mesa comes up from Durham and Marco Luciano will reclaim the 3B job but we'll be on the lookout to pick up another third-sacker.

Game 3: 0-1 L. LP-Ogando (2-4). Starter-Bradley (6 6 0 0 0 8). The offense has dried up and Ogando gave up a leadoff homer in the bottom of the 9th to let Toronto walk it off.

Game 4: 1-5 L. LP-Eldridge (4-7, 6 4 3 3 1 7). The Rays ended up scoring 4 runs in the 4 games of this series and were lucky to win one of them as the Jays have pulled within 2 1/2 of the division lead. Today they had no problem putting runners on but couldn't get them home with a whopping 13 LOB.

Team record: 55-39. Next up: We'll try to get right in Cincinnati where we'll play 3 against the 45-49 Reds.

Art Deco · 02-14-2024, 07:28 PM

Game 1: 10-3 W. WP-Acosta (3-1, 5 6 3 3 2 0). HR-Franco (5), Albies (14). Albies had a 2-run homer in the first to get them going and drove in 3 total, Wander was 2-4 with a HR & 2 RBI and rookie backup C Cade Arrambide had a big 2-run single as the Rays routed the Reds. Acosta got a rare win despite pitching one of his poorest games.

Game 2: 5-6 L (11). LP-Armstrong (3-1). Starter-Evans (4 6 4 4 1 5, 3 HR). HR-Haro (12), Hardy (19). A heartbreaker for the Rays as they fought back from 4-2 down early to go ahead 5-4 in the 10th on a Hardy homer only for Randy Rodriguez to give up a homer to 40-year-old Nolan Arenado one out away from ending things, and then Armstrong wild-pitched the winner home in the bottom of the 11th. Also Albies charged the mound after being hit following Haro's homer and is suspended 4 games.

Transaction: IF Jose Marsh, up briefly earlier in the year, is called up to take Albies' place on the roster during his suspension while Victor Mesa will fill in at 2B.

Game 3: 4-7 L. LP-Khattak (11-5, 4.1 8 5 4 1 7). HR-Rivera (6). The Rays remain Jekyll & Hyde when it comes to their home/road splits as they fell to 20-28 away from the Trop while 36-13 playing under the dome. After falling behind 6-0, Rivera's 3-run shot got them within 6-4 in the 7th but that was as close as they got.

Team record: 56-41, and with Toronto taking 2 of 3 the Rays' once-healthy division lead has been shaved to 1 1/2 games. Next up: A day off then a welcome return home to play 3 against Baltimore.

Art Deco · 02-17-2024, 03:58 PM

Game 1: 11-4 W. WP-German (7-3, 5 5 3 3 2 7). HR-Solano (10), Luciano (4), Mesa (3). Home cooking tasted sweet again for the Rays, who are now 37-13 at the Trop after today's rout. Victor Mesa couldn't be retired, going 3-3 with 2 walks and the homer, while Luciano and Elijah Green each plated a pair.

Game 2: 1-4 L. LP-Bradley (9-6, 5 3 1 1 3 4). Tough loss for Taj and a rare loss for the team at home as the offense couldn't do anything until they scratched a consolation run home in the 9th.

Game 3: 4-1 W. WP-Armstrong (4-3). S-R.Rodriguez (22). Starter-Acosta (5 2 1 1 1 6). HR-Caminero (8). Junior Caminero is having a miserable season but he came through big today, hitting a solo homer to lead off the 8th and break a 1-1 tie. Angel Rivera's 2-run double later in the frame provided insurance. Rodolfo Solano charged the mound after he was hit following Caminero's homer and will be suspended for 3 games, just as Albies is set to come off the restricted list.

Team record: 58-42. Still 1 1/2 up on Toronto which also took 2 of 3. Next up: 41-60 Oakland visits for 3 games.

Art Deco · 02-21-2024, 08:03 PM

Game 1: 5-6 L. LP-Evans (3-5, 4 3 2 2 4 7). HR-Caminero (9), Luciano (5). The Rays dropped their 7th game in 11 since the All-Star break as their comeback fell short. Haro was 3-5 with a double and an RBI in a losing cause.

Game 2: 5-4 W (16). WP-Dodson (3-2). Starter-Khattak (7 6 2 2 0 4). HR-Caminero (10), Hardy (20). We needed that one after the poor run of late. Hardy's homer in the 8th tied it up after they blew the lead in the top of the inning and on into the night we went before Albies singled home Angel Rivera after the latter hit his second double of the night. Should have won earlier (leaving 14 on base) but we'll take it.

Game 3: 2-0 W. WP-Eldridge (5-7, 5.1 2 0 0 0 4). S-Ogando (8). HR-Alvarez (7), Caminero (11). A strange game in which the Rays had only two hits but they were the solo homers you see right above. It was Yordan's first dinger since June 13, and although he missed 10 days with injury that's still a ridiculous drought. Meanwhile Caminero, who had a miserable first half, has now homered in 4 straight games. Eldridge had to leave early with a mild hamstring tweak but the bullpen came through despite being exhausted the night before.

Team record: 60-43. With Toronto also taking 2 of 3 the division lead holds at 1 1/2 games. Next up: An off-day then we head out west to play 3 against the Angels in Anaheim.

Art Deco · 02-24-2024, 06:58 PM

Trade time: We swung a deal at the deadline as for the umpteenth consecutive year we weren't sold on sticking with Marco Luciano at 3B so we picked one up, an old face:

Welcome back to the organization Carson Williams. He was dealt to San Francisco back in the winter of 22-23 when he was a prospect but didn't emerge as an MLB regular until his age 26 season in 2030 with Seattle. He was available for free earlier in the year when the Mariners waived him and Milwaukee picked him up where he excelled at 278/369/468 with 13 HR and 1.8 WAR in 75 games. He's a 55/55 hitter with a 55 glove, so just a little above average all-around and an improvement on Luciano. The cost wasn't high in a B-/C+ prospect like Jeffery. Victor Mesa was sent back to Durham to make room.

Game 1: 1-5 L. LP-Bradley (9-7, 5.2 6 3 3 2 7). This team has a hard time hitting on the road and today was no exception with only 3 hits.

Game 2: 1-2 L. LP-Acosta (3-2, 7 4 2 2 1 4). Today they got the hits (9) but couldn't bring anyone home, leaving the bases loaded in both the 8th and 9th innings trailing by one run.

Game 3: 1-3 L. LP-German (7-4, 6 6 3 2 0 5). Same sh*t, different day as the Rays concluded a weekend of pitiful performances, scoring three runs in three games and being swept by an Angels team that was 39-62 coming in. Again they put men on (9 hits and a walk) but couldn't hit when it mattered in the clutch.

Team record: 60-46. With Toronto taking 2 of 3 the Rays have now dropped into second, 1/2 game behind the Jays. Next up: A day off to fly back across the country to Baltimore, where we play against the Orioles.

Art Deco · 02-27-2024, 03:50 PM

Transaction: Claimed P Brandon Marklund on waivers from the Cubs. Marklund is a decent reliever rated 60/65/50 and will give us a better RH option in middle relief.

Game 1: 14-0 W. WP-Evans (4-5, 7 3 0 0 3 9). HR-Haro (13), E.Green (10). A romp for the Rays as they banged out 17 hits and Evans was nearly unhittable. Alistair Hardy drove in 4 with a pair of 2-run doubles and he and Caminero each had 3 hits.

Game 2: 1-6 L. LP-Khattak (11-6, 5 4 3 3 4 4). From feast to famine at the plate as the Rays were barely in this one. Carson Williams did get his first Rays RBI with a double in the 2nd. To add injury to insult, Brandon Marklund had to leave his Rays debut appearance with elbow inflammation and will be out 6 weeks.

Transaction: Marklund goes on the IL and 2025 3rd-round pick Alex Lara is called up from Durham. Lara is rated 50/65/35 so he's a break-glass-in-emergency kind of guy to use.

Game 3: 2-5 L. LP-Buckman (1-1). Starter-Eldridge (5.2 6 2 2 1 5). Total frustration as the Rays left a ridiculous 16 men on base and probably should have won 8-5. Marco Luciano was responsible for 8 LOB by himself. Despite that they took a 2-0 lead into the 6th and Buckman imploded, allowing Eldridge's men to score and 3 of his own.

Team record: 61-48. Fortunately the Jays also lost 2 of 3 (at home) so no ground was lost as they remain 1/2 game up on us. Next up: Back home for 3 against the Mets who are also 61-48 so cue the Spider-Man memes.

Farm news: To give you an idea of how bad our High-A Charleston team has been going, they lost a game 16-0 this week which saw their opponent have a player hit for the cycle, another with a 5-hit game, and oh by the way their pitcher threw a no-hitter.

Art Deco · 03-02-2024, 06:24 PM

Game 1: 2-4 L. LP-Bradley (9-8, 6 6 3 3 1 8). HR-Y.Alvarez (8). Rays took a 2-1 lead into the 7th but gave up 3 runs with Ivan Armstrong the primary culprit, allowing two Taj runners to score and one of his own.

Game 2: 6-3 W. WP-Acosta (4-2, 6 4 1 1 3 5). HR-Y.Alvarez (9). Like yesterday the Rays had a 2-1 lead late but unlike last night they expanded on it with 4 in the 8th on an Albies double and a 3-run Yordan homer (off a lefty) and won comfortably in the end.

Game 3: 9-2 W. WP-Evans (5-5, 5 2 1 1 2 7). HR-C.Williams (1/16). Carson Williams hit his first homer as a Ray to get them on the board, and a 5-run 6th broke it open. Nelson Haro was 3-5 with a 2-run double and RBI single.

Team record: 63-49. Still 1/2 game behind Toronto as the Jays also took 2 of 3. Next up: Minnesota visits the Trop for 3 games.

MLB News: St. Louis star Jordan Walker hit his 300th career homer.

Art Deco · 03-05-2024, 09:28 AM

Game 1: 3-1 W. WP-Khattak (12-6, 6.2 6 1 1 2 8). S-R.Rodriguez (23). HR-Rivera (7), Franco (6). A couple of homers and a great outing from Khattak led the Rays to a crisply-played win.

Game 2: 6-1 W. WP-Eldridge (6-7, 6 1 0 0 3 7). HR-Caminero (12), Solano (11), Arrambide (3). Nobody's turned his season around like Bryce Eldridge, who now has his ERA down to 3.56 after a miserable first month or two of the season. Rookie backup C Cade Arrambide's 3-run homer broke it open.

Game 3: 4-5 L. LP-Bradley (9-9, 5 6 5 5 2 5, 3 HR). HR-Haro (14). Taj was homer-happy and put the Rays in a 5-1 hole they couldn't quite dig out of.

Team record: 65-50. Toronto lost 2 of 3 in Seattle so the Rays regained first place by 1/2 game. Next up: A day off then Cleveland visits for 3 games.

Art Deco · 03-09-2024, 10:48 PM

Game 1: 1-3 L. LP-Okuda (7-1). Starter-Acosta (5 3 0 0 0 5). HR-Y.Alvarez (10). Cleveland scored 3 times off Okuda in the 6th and that was the ballgame.

Game 2: 6-1 W. WP-German (8-4). Starter-Evans (4.2 4 1 1 3 7). HR-Franco (7), R.Solano (12). Albies' 2-run double in the 4th was the big hit and Solano added a 2-run jack to lead a comfortable Rays win. Luis German went 3 1/3 scoreless in relief for the win.

Game 3: 3-8 L. LP-Khattak (12-7, 4.1 10 3 3 3 4). HR-Franco (8), Haro (15). The bullpen was abysmal in this one, turning a 2-1 game into a blowout loss. With 16 hits allowed and 5 walks from the staff, it could have even been a lot worse.

Team record: 66-52. Toronto took 2 of 3 so they re-take first place by 1/2 game from us. Next up: A day off then the Yankees roll into town for 3.

Art Deco · 03-14-2024, 07:54 AM

Game 1: 5-0 W. WP-Bradley (10-9, 7 2 0 0 1 9). HR-Hardy (21). Taj was dazzling and Hardy's 3-run homer broke the game open to give the Rays a solid win.

Game 2: 3-8 L. LP-Eldridge (6-8, 6.2 2 3 3 5 7). HR-Y.Alvarez (11). A 1-1 game into the 7th got away thanks to the bullpen as Eldridge left the bases loaded and Ogando came in to walk the next two, and then he and Ivan Armstrong combined to allow 5 more runs by the 8th.

Game 3: 4-5 L. LP-Armenta (4-4). Starter-Acosta (5.1 3 2 2 1 8). HR-Hardy (22). Once again the bullpen was the culprit as leads of 2-0 and 4-3 were squandered by the pen. Acosta departed with two on in the 6th and a 2-0 lead but Luis German coughed up a 3-run homer to the first man he faced. And after they went back ahead Armenta was awful in the 7th, giving up the winning runs.

Team record: 67-54. Fortunately the Jays also dropped 2 of 3, so the Rays stay only 1/2 game back in a division nobody seems to want to win these days. Next up: A huge 3-game series with that very same Toronto team north of the border.

MLB News: LA's Mookie Betts hit career homer #400.

Art Deco · 03-17-2024, 02:05 PM

Game 1: 3-2 W. WP-Evans (6-5, 5 3 1 1 2 4). S-R.Rodriguez (24). HR-Caminero (13). Rays won a big one in the opener, moving back into first ahead of the Jays thanks to great pitching and a few timely hits.

Game 2: 6-12 L. LP-Khattak (12-8, 4.1 10 8 8 2 3). HR-Caminero (14), Alvarez (12). Back-to-back jacks from Caminero and Yordan gave the Rays a quick 3-0 in the 1st but Toronto got 6 off Khattak in the 2nd and never looked back.

Game 3: 9-3 W. WP-German (9-4). Starter-Bradley (2 2 3 2 2 1). HR-Caminero 2 (16), Solano (13), Hardy (23). The game started off tough as Taj gave up 3 runs in the 1st and then tore his meniscus on his final pitch of the 2nd. German took over and went 5 4 0 0 0 7 while the bats took care of business with Caminero capping a monster series (4 HR, 6 RBI) with a pair of 2-run homers to give the Rays a series win and first place once again by 1/2 game. Bradley's season is done but we were playing with six starters anyway and German will take his place in the rotation. Bradley finishes the season (and likely his Rays career as he's a free agent) at 10-9, 3.71.

Team record: 69-55. Next up: Back to the Trop for 3 against Detroit.

01-17-2024, 07:54 AM	#761
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	June 23-26, 2031: at Boston (4) Game 1: 5-2 W. WP-Eldridge (4-5). S-R.Rodriguez (21). Starter-Evans (4 4 2 2 3 7). HR-Franco (4), Caminero (6), G.Henderson (11). The Rays got three solo homers but the big hit was a 2-run Rodolfo Solano double which put them ahead to stay in the 4th. Game 2: 11-2 W. WP-Khattak (9-3, 7 5 1 1 1 5). HR-Hardy 2 (15). Alistair Hardy had a huge day, going 3-5 with a double, 2 HR (including a slam) and 5 RBI while the team had 10 doubles (including 3 from Nelson Haro) and 43 total bases. Khattak was brilliant even though he didn't have to be. Game 3: 4-5 L. LP-Bradley (6-5, 6.1 6 4 4 0 6). HR-Haro (7). A 3-run 7th for Boston to make it 5-0 turned out to be decisive when the Rays got 4 back in the 8th, including a 3-run Haro homer that traveled 507 feet near the top of the RCF stands in Fenway, maybe the longest homer I've seen in a game I played out in all my saves. Game 4: 1-2 L. LP-Dodson (2-2). Starter-Acosta (5 1 1 1 4 8). Dodson gave up a 7th-inning solo shot to Spencer Torkelson for the game-winner (or game-loser) and Rays hitters fanned 17 times to short-circuit more than one rally in a tough loss. Team record: 42-32. The Jays shaved a game off the division lead, which is down to 1 1/2. Next up: 3 games at home against the dreadful Diamondbacks, who are 26-48.

01-21-2024, 11:06 PM	#762
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	June 27-29, 2031: vs Arizona (3) Game 1: 1-2 L (10). LP-R.Rodriguez (0-4). Starter-Eldridge (7.2 4 1 1 2 7). The bats were held to four hits and Rodriguez gave up an RBI double in the 10th to lose it. Game 2: 1-2 L (11). LP-R.Rodriguez (0-5). Starter-Evans (6 1 1 0 3 6). HR-Albies (10). Rinse and repeat - the Rays lose their third straight 2-1 game as heartbreak reigns supreme. Once again R-Rod gave up the winner, this time on a homer as the Rays lose again to the dreadful Diamondbacks. To make matters worse Rodriguez suffered a strained forearm and will be out a couple of weeks. Transaction: Randy Rodriguez goes on the IL and Christian Rodriguez is back up from Durham. Gerald Ogando will close in the interim. Game 3: 14-5 W. WP-Khattak (10-3, 7 10 5 5 1 7). HR-Solano (8), Hardy (16), Haro (8). The offense finally exploded, erupting for 8 runs in the 4th to annihilate Arizona. Haro and Solano each had 4 hits including a homer, with Haro knocking in 3 while Luciano and E.Green had 3 hits apiece and combined to bring home 3. Wander also drove in 3 with 2 hits including a double as they banged out 20 in all, taking out the frustrations of the last three games. Team record: 43-34. Fortunately Toronto also dropped 2 of 3 to an NL West team (Colorado) to stay 1 1/2 back of the Rays. Next up: Another NL West opponent as the 40-38 Dodgers come to the Trop for 3.

01-25-2024, 08:02 PM	#763
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	June 30-July 2, 2031: vs LA Dodgers (3) Game 1: 3-1 W. WP-Bradley (7-5, 5.1 3 1 1 2 6). S-Ogando (5). HR-Hardy (17), E.Green (8). Excellent pitching and the bat of Alistair Hardy, who was 3-3 with a solo homer and an insurance RBI single, led the Rays to victory. Game 2: 2-1 W. WP-Okuda (5-0). Starter-Acosta (6.1 3 0 0 1 8). The Rays scored twice in the 9th to pull out a dramatic win with the decider scoring on a walk-off wild pitch after Yordan Alvarez's sac fly tied it. Acosta continues to be a stud in the rotation. Game 3: 0-1 L. LP-Eldridge (4-6, 7.1 5 1 1 2 4). No late rally today as the Rays played binary baseball once again, coming up on the short end despite their third straight game allowing only one run. Team record: 45-35, still 1 1/2 up on Toronto in the East. Next up: A day off then we spend the July 4 weekend at Wrigley Field with 3 against the Cubs.

01-26-2024, 08:49 AM	#764
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	2031 Midseason Review Where things stand around MLB: The Rays are somewhat fortunate to be in first place given their good-but-not-great record and the main story this season has been the weak offense but great run prevention. Some big names are slumping and the offense is capable of better, so we'll see how it goes over the next few weeks but there could also be a move to bring in an impact bat. And this is all borne out by the team numbers above. Aside from it being a team of extremes relative to hitting and pitching, it's also a team that is almost unbeatable at home but struggles mightily on the road with a .320 win percentage difference between the two. And we're an abysmal 0-6 in extra-inning games, the primary culprit in being two games worse than our Pythagorean record. This has been one of the better defenses I've had in all my Rays saves, though. The (largely) ugly numbers from the bats. Haro has finally lived up to the promise of his bat and Hardy has carried the team with his power but the likes of Yordan, Caminero, Albies and offseason acquisition Gunnar Henderson have been serious underachievers (96 Ks in 225 AB for Henderson?). Missing Wander for a month+ didn't help either but I have to think there'll be some positive regression in the second half. As lousy as the hitting is, you can see how great the pitching has been, backed up by an above-average defense. The story of the year has been the transformation of Aldry Acosta from an un-clutch reliever into a stud starter with the oddity that virtually every start of his ends in a no-decision (he's 1-1 in 18 appearances including 14 starts). That'll happen when you get a ridiculous 1.2/start of run support. Even Bryce Eldridge has turned things around, bouncing back after a bad April (9.82 ERA) to put up ERAs of 2.05, 3.49 and 1.23 (albeit in one start) in the months since. No imminent help from the farm. Lennon is our best pitching prospect and is at Durham, but still needs polish before coming up and we really don't need pitching help anyway right now unless someone gets hurt. Viola looks like our CF of the future although he could be supplanted by Valenzuela.

01-30-2024, 06:40 PM	#765
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	July 4-6, 2031: at Chicago Cubs (3) Game 1: 6-1 W. WP-Okuda (6-0). Starter-German (3 0 0 0 0 5). HR-Albies (11). Wander was 3-4 with a double and 2 RBI and Albies had 2 hits including a solo shot to lead the way. They could have scored 12-13 today but left 15 on base. German had to leave with a minor tweak after 3 perfect innings but won't miss his next start. Game 2: 6-0 W. WP-Evans (3-4, 6 2 0 0 0 12). HR-Haro (9). Donye pitched one of the best games of his pro career and the Rays clinched a rare road series win. Six different Rays drove in a run including Hardy who had 3 hits. Game 3: 9-5 W. WP-Okuda (7-0). Starter-Khattak (3.2 5 4 4 3 4, 2 HR). HR-Caminero (7). Khattak put them in an early 4-1 hole but a 6-run 6th turned the tide and gave the Rays a sweep of a Cub team that was 49-32 coming into the series. 4 different Rays knocked in a pair, including Gunnar Henderson who was also on base with two walks. Ryan Okuda meanwhile seems to be a good luck charm as he now has 7 relief wins without a loss. Team record: 48-35. Toronto took 2 of 3 so the lead is back up to 2 1/2 games. Next up: Back home for 4 against Baltimore. MLB News: Atlanta's Austin Riley hit career homer #300.

02-03-2024, 10:24 PM	#766
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	July 7-10, 2031: vs Baltimore (4) Game 1: 7-3 W. WP-Bradley (8-5, 7 2 1 1 1 6). HR-Albies (12). Taj was terrific and Wander had a big day with a bases-clearing triple and RBI double. Game 2: 7-1 W. WP-Acosta (2-1, 5 3 1 1 1 8). HR-Hardy (18), Luciano (3), E.Green (9). Rays won their fifth straight and eighth in their last nine fairly comfortably thanks to a monster game from Elijah Green, who was 4-5 with a homer, 3 RBI and 3 stolen bases. Aldry Acosta meanwhile finally got a decision, only his third in fifteen starts despite sporting a 2.27 ERA. Game 3: 3-4 L. LP-Armenta (3-3). Starter-Eldridge (6 4 1 1 0 7). HR-Solano (9). A tough one as the Rays let a 3-0 lead get away in the late innings when Armenta, who came into the game with an 0.97 ERA, gave up a 2-run homer to Adley Rutschman in the 8th to put Baltimore ahead. Game 4: 4-1 W. WP-German (6-3, 6.2 4 1 1 3 11). S-Ogando (6). HR-G.Henderson (12). German had a dominant outing, his best in a while, and Gunnar's 2-run homer in the 5th was the game's key blow. Team record: 51-36, now 3 1/2 up on Toronto in the AL East. Next up: 3 games at home against 35-52 Colorado before we hit the All-Star Break, and we also have the Amateur Draft.

02-07-2024, 04:04 PM	#767
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	The 2031 Amateur Draft Kind of a weak draft class overall, at least in terms of depth when it came our turn to pick at #28. All 20-80 scale references are for potential unless indicated otherwise. Gurrola: A 20-year-old JuCo OF from Indiana, he has good bat-to-ball skills with 70 contact, 55 power and 65 avoid Ks, as well as potential 80 gap power and a 55 eye. He's also very fast (70 speed) and could be a plus defensive OF (70 LF, 50 CF, 60 RF). Winters: A high-school kid with big power (70) and good contact (65) and a possible 55 at the hot corner. Gallardo: An intriguing high-schooler from New York with potentially elite bat-to-ball skills (80 contact, 80 avoid Ks) and 65 power though he swings at everything (30 eye). He's also not much of a fielder (40 at 1B and the OF corners) so he'll really have to hit. Fulce: Hailing from the famous Crenshaw High (Darryl Strawberry's alma mater), he's a potential plus fielder in the OF corners to go with 60 contact, 55 power and an elite 80 eye. Moncayo: A 17-year-old from Puerto Rico, he offers a potential big bat behind the plate (60 contact, 65 power), though his defensive ceiling for now is 45 so the bat will be his ticket to the bigs.

02-07-2024, 04:19 PM	#768
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	July 11-13, 2031: vs Colorado (3) Game 1: 7-5 W. WP-Buckman (1-0). Starter-Evans (4 4 3 3 2 7). HR-Albies (13). High drama at the Trop as Ozzie Albies' walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 9th kept the Rays hot. Elijah Green's bases-clearing double brought home their other three runs. Game 2: 4-3 W. WP-Khattak (11-3, 6.1 6 1 1 1 7). S-Armenta (1). Khattak was brilliant, Gunnar Henderson finished a homer short of the cycle and scored twice, and Erubiel Armenta earned his first Rays save to lead the Rays to another victory. Game 3: 12-3 W. WP-Bradley (9-5, 5 6 3 3 2 2). The offense came out today, piling up 15 hits to complete the sweep of the Rockies to make it 9 wins in their last 10 as the Rays reluctantly head into the All-Star break. Rodolfo Solano brought home 4 including a 2-run triple, Ozzie had a bases-clearing double to give him a 7-ribbie series, and Wander knocked in 3 with a pair of doubles. Team record: 54-36, now good enough to reach the .600 mark and also now up 4 1/2 on Toronto atop the AL East. Next up: The break, before resuming play Thursday in Toronto for 4 big games with a chance to break open the division race or let the Jays right back in it. MLB News: St. Louis' Dylan Carlson hit his 300th career homer while the Cubs' Riley Greene (a former Rays rental) is pretty much done for the season with a severely strained hamstring.

02-10-2024, 09:28 AM	#769
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	All-Star Break 2031 The squads: The American League All-Stars feature these players: SP Aldry Acosta (TB) - 2-1, 2.27 ERA, 79.1 IP, 0.87 WHIP, 11.8 K/9, 2.3 WAR SP Robert Ahlstrom (NYY)* - 6-4, 3.92 ERA, 105.2 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 11.2 K/9, 3.7 WAR SP Luarbert Arias (SEA) - 6-3, 2.42 ERA, 85.2 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 2.1 WAR SP Frank Balandra (SEA) - 6-5, 2.14 ERA, 109.1 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 2.5 WAR SP Jonathan Burgos (MIN) - 9-6, 2.41 ERA, 97.0 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 2.2 WAR SP Hector de Alba (CLE) - 11-4, 3.10 ERA, 113.1 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 3.2 WAR SP Edgar Isea (BOS) - 7-6, 3.52 ERA, 79.1 IP, 1.27 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 2.0 WAR *RP Erubiel Armenta (TB) - 3-3, 1.36 ERA, 39.2 IP, 0.91 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 1.5 WAR** RP Andrew Dalquist (OAK) - 2-3, 3.54 ERA, 53.1 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, 0.5 WAR RP Pete Fairbanks (TOR) - 2-1, 1.94 ERA, 46.1 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 9.5 K/9, 0.1 WAR RP Kyle Johnston (CLE) - 4-0, 2.36 ERA, 49.2 IP, 1.47 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 0.5 WAR CL Darwin Cruz (TOR) - 5-1, 17 SV, 1.66 ERA, 38.0 IP, 0.74 WHIP, 14.9 K/9, 2.5 WAR CL Daysbel Hernandez (CLE) - 3-3, 25 SV, 2.72 ERA, 36.1 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, 1.3 WAR C MJ Melendez (KC) - .286/.352/.510, 259 AB, 14 HR, 9 SB, 133 wRC+, 3.0 WAR C Mario Rosales (BOS) - .260/.330/.451, 246 AB, 10 HR, 1 SB, 110 wRC+, 1.9 WAR C Adley Rutschman (BAL)* - .333/.375/.716, 282 AB, 31 HR, 192 wRC+, 5.3 WAR 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - .308/.381/.584, 334 AB, 27 HR, 3 SB, 156 wRC+, 3.1 WAR 1B Jacob Krieg (KC) - .273/.373/.527, 319 AB, 21 HR, 145 wRC+, 2.3 WAR 1B Jose Pino (TEX)* - .265/.365/.484, 306 AB, 19 HR, 2 SB, 133 wRC+, 2.3 WAR 1B Justin Williams (HOU)* - .275/.369/.613, 313 AB, 30 HR, 163 wRC+, 3.1 WAR 2B Juan Corona (MIN) - .319/.366/.515, 357 AB, 15 HR, 5 SB, 139 wRC+, 2.4 WAR 2B Dansby Swanson (NYY)* - .286/.369/.548, 301 AB, 21 HR, 6 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.3 WAR 2B Brice Turang (LAA) - .237/.306/.361, 291 AB, 6 HR, 3 SB, 81 wRC+, 0.3 WAR 3B Enger Castellano (DET) - .297/.362/.562, 192 AB, 12 HR, 150 wRC+, 1.5 WAR 3B Justin Sill (CWS)* - .306/.377/.647, 343 AB, 33 HR, 1 SB, 177 wRC+, 4.3 WAR SS Antonio Anderson (CWS) - .246/.299/.537, 313 AB, 23 HR, 4 SB, 123 wRC+, 3.7 WAR SS Carlos Correa (HOU)* - .268/.365/.448, 328 AB, 13 HR, 4 SB, 127 wRC+, 3.6 WAR LF Alex Menjivar (HOU)* - .297/.363/.533, 306 AB, 19 HR, 1 SB, 144 wRC+, 2.7 WAR LF Jordan Ramos (TEX) - .277/.356/.561, 310 AB, 23 HR, 147 wRC+, 2.6 WAR LF Juan Soto (CLE) - .364/.477/.762, 143 AB, 17 HR, 3 SB, 236 wRC+, 3.3 WAR CF Trent Grisham (DET) - .285/.362/.515, 305 AB, 14 HR, 16 SB, 135 wRC+, 3.4 WAR CF Julio Rodriguez (SEA)* - .335/.405/.588, 328 AB, 19 HR, 13 SB, 171 wRC+, 5.3 WAR RF Yohendrick Pinango (TEX) - .322/.392/.512, 326 AB, 13 HR, 8 SB, 148 wRC+, 3.1 WAR RF Kyle Tucker (HOU)* - .273/.349/.506, 330 AB, 18 HR, 4 SB, 133 wRC+, 2.3 WAR On the National League All-Star roster will be: SP Corbin Burnes (SD) - 9-4, 2.98 ERA, 123.2 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, 4.3 WAR SP Parker Detmers (WSH)* - 7-3, 2.55 ERA, 81.1 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 12.2 K/9, 2.6 WAR SP Jonathan Edwards (ARI) - 2-7, 4.06 ERA, 84.1 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, 2.3 WAR SP Brailyn Marquez (PHI) - 10-4, 3.55 ERA, 104.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 13.6 K/9, 2.3 WAR (Injured) SP Zach McCambley (MIL) - 3-1, 2.54 ERA, 63.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 7.8 K/9, 0.3 WAR SP Ryan Pepiot (MIA) - 8-5, 1.98 ERA, 109.1 IP, 0.92 WHIP, 9.2 K/9, 3.5 WAR SP Kumar Rocker (NYM) - 7-3, 2.32 ERA, 112.2 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 8.4 K/9, 2.4 WAR SP Trevor Rogers (LAD) - 5-5, 3.96 ERA, 84.0 IP, 1.36 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, 0.7 WAR RP Evan Adolphus (CIN) - 2-2, 2.27 ERA, 47.2 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, 1.0 WAR RP Sam McWilliams (COL) - 1-4, 3.33 ERA, 48.2 IP, 1.44 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 0.8 WAR RP Max Meyer (STL) - 3-3, 4 SV, 2.08 ERA, 39.0 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 12.7 K/9, 1.2 WAR RP Alex Rose (SF) - 3-2, 2.18 ERA, 53.2 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 1.2 WAR CL Billy Sullivan (STL)* - 1-2, 24 SV, 4.41 ERA, 34.2 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 16.1 K/9, 0.8 WAR CL Alex Vesia (SD) - 3-5, 11 SV, 4.19 ERA, 34.1 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 12.6 K/9, 0.7 WAR C Francisco Alvarez (NYM) - .196/.282/.348, 250 AB, 8 HR, 75 wRC+, 0.3 WAR C Luis Campusano (SF)* - .315/.396/.559, 222 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 163 wRC+, 2.5 WAR C Drew Romo (CHC) - .259/.308/.418, 232 AB, 8 HR, 92 wRC+, 2.0 WAR 1B Nate McCollum (MIA)* - .288/.356/.595, 333 AB, 27 HR, 159 wRC+, 3.2 WAR 1B Jamel White (STL) - .312/.338/.560, 375 AB, 18 HR, 143 wRC+, 2.4 WAR 2B Oswald Peraza (SA) - .274/.331/.451, 317 AB, 13 HR, 9 SB, 113 wRC+, 2.4 WAR 2B Jorge Polanco (NYM)* - .265/.353/.441, 306 AB, 14 HR, 3 SB, 123 wRC+, 2.3 WAR 3B Nolan Arenado (CIN) - .239/.308/.471, 289 AB, 17 HR, 1 SB, 109 wRC+, 1.9 WAR 3B Joel Owens (ATL) - .254/.312/.526, 327 AB, 23 HR, 6 SB, 124 wRC+, 2.9 WAR 3B Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD) - .255/.350/.507, 294 AB, 21 HR, 8 SB, 136 wRC+, 3.1 WAR 3B Jordan Walker (STL)* - .279/.375/.568, 308 AB, 24 HR, 7 SB, 159 wRC+, 3.5 WAR 3B Bobby Witt Jr. (PHI) - .289/.349/.494, 336 AB, 17 HR, 24 SB, 127 wRC+, 3.2 WAR SS Aeverson Arteaga (WSH) - .270/.351/.438, 315 AB, 9 HR, 10 SB, 113 wRC+, 3.1 WAR SS Eric Bitonti (PHI)* - .344/.384/.607, 270 AB, 18 HR, 1 SB, 169 wRC+, 3.8 WAR LF Manny Becerra (COL) - .345/.378/.538, 316 AB, 2 HR, 50 SB, 141 wRC+, 2.7 WAR LF Tyler O'Neill (STL)* - .275/.350/.507, 302 AB, 19 HR, 7 SB, 134 wRC+, 2.3 WAR CF Riley Greene (CHC)* - .317/.400/.555, 319 AB, 16 HR, 162 wRC+, 3.8 WAR RF Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL)* - .254/.373/.540, 276 AB, 23 HR, 12 SB, 149 wRC+, 3.9 WAR RF Mookie Betts (LAD)* - .289/.387/.496, 270 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 144 wRC+, 2.0 WAR RF Omar Delgado (CIN) - .282/.350/.665, 266 AB, 30 HR, 2 SB, 172 wRC+, 2.4 WAR RF Tony Ortiz (SD) - .370/.409/.495, 305 AB, 6 HR, 13 SB, 155 wRC+, 2.8 WAR It's the first appearance for the Rays' sole reps, Acosta and Armenta. The derby: The game: Aldry Acosta was effective in his lone inning of work and Erubiel Armenta never made it out of the bullpen.

02-10-2024, 06:10 PM	#770
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	July 17-20, 2031: at Toronto (4) Game 1: 2-1 W. WP-Armstrong (3-0). S-Ogando (7). Starter-Evans (5 2 0 0 1 8). HR-Haro (10). Solano's RBI single broke a 1-1 tie in the 9th after Haro homered to put them up in the 8th and the Jays immediately answered. Tampa Bay overcame a 7 2 0 0 1 13 outing from Toronto's Kyle Muller in opening up a 5 1/2-game lead in the AL East. Transaction: Yordan Alvarez, having a miserable season with only 6 HR, injured his back throwing a runner out at the plate in today's game so he goes on the IL where he should come right back, and OF Manny Tovar is recalled from Durham. Game 2: 1-4 L. LP-Khattak (11-4, 6 5 2 2 0 5). HR-Haro (11). The bats were cold again today and this time it resulted in a loss. And the team suffered a more serious loss as last winter's big pickup, Gunnar Henderson, tore his labrum and is done for the year. Victor Mesa comes up from Durham and Marco Luciano will reclaim the 3B job but we'll be on the lookout to pick up another third-sacker. Game 3: 0-1 L. LP-Ogando (2-4). Starter-Bradley (6 6 0 0 0 8). The offense has dried up and Ogando gave up a leadoff homer in the bottom of the 9th to let Toronto walk it off. Game 4: 1-5 L. LP-Eldridge (4-7, 6 4 3 3 1 7). The Rays ended up scoring 4 runs in the 4 games of this series and were lucky to win one of them as the Jays have pulled within 2 1/2 of the division lead. Today they had no problem putting runners on but couldn't get them home with a whopping 13 LOB. Team record: 55-39. Next up: We'll try to get right in Cincinnati where we'll play 3 against the 45-49 Reds.

02-14-2024, 07:28 PM	#771
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	July 21-23, 2031: at Cincinnati (3) Game 1: 10-3 W. WP-Acosta (3-1, 5 6 3 3 2 0). HR-Franco (5), Albies (14). Albies had a 2-run homer in the first to get them going and drove in 3 total, Wander was 2-4 with a HR & 2 RBI and rookie backup C Cade Arrambide had a big 2-run single as the Rays routed the Reds. Acosta got a rare win despite pitching one of his poorest games. Game 2: 5-6 L (11). LP-Armstrong (3-1). Starter-Evans (4 6 4 4 1 5, 3 HR). HR-Haro (12), Hardy (19). A heartbreaker for the Rays as they fought back from 4-2 down early to go ahead 5-4 in the 10th on a Hardy homer only for Randy Rodriguez to give up a homer to 40-year-old Nolan Arenado one out away from ending things, and then Armstrong wild-pitched the winner home in the bottom of the 11th. Also Albies charged the mound after being hit following Haro's homer and is suspended 4 games. Transaction: IF Jose Marsh, up briefly earlier in the year, is called up to take Albies' place on the roster during his suspension while Victor Mesa will fill in at 2B. Game 3: 4-7 L. LP-Khattak (11-5, 4.1 8 5 4 1 7). HR-Rivera (6). The Rays remain Jekyll & Hyde when it comes to their home/road splits as they fell to 20-28 away from the Trop while 36-13 playing under the dome. After falling behind 6-0, Rivera's 3-run shot got them within 6-4 in the 7th but that was as close as they got. Team record: 56-41, and with Toronto taking 2 of 3 the Rays' once-healthy division lead has been shaved to 1 1/2 games. Next up: A day off then a welcome return home to play 3 against Baltimore.

02-17-2024, 03:58 PM	#772
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	July 25-27, 2031: vs Baltimore (3) Game 1: 11-4 W. WP-German (7-3, 5 5 3 3 2 7). HR-Solano (10), Luciano (4), Mesa (3). Home cooking tasted sweet again for the Rays, who are now 37-13 at the Trop after today's rout. Victor Mesa couldn't be retired, going 3-3 with 2 walks and the homer, while Luciano and Elijah Green each plated a pair. Game 2: 1-4 L. LP-Bradley (9-6, 5 3 1 1 3 4). Tough loss for Taj and a rare loss for the team at home as the offense couldn't do anything until they scratched a consolation run home in the 9th. Game 3: 4-1 W. WP-Armstrong (4-3). S-R.Rodriguez (22). Starter-Acosta (5 2 1 1 1 6). HR-Caminero (8). Junior Caminero is having a miserable season but he came through big today, hitting a solo homer to lead off the 8th and break a 1-1 tie. Angel Rivera's 2-run double later in the frame provided insurance. Rodolfo Solano charged the mound after he was hit following Caminero's homer and will be suspended for 3 games, just as Albies is set to come off the restricted list. Team record: 58-42. Still 1 1/2 up on Toronto which also took 2 of 3. Next up: 41-60 Oakland visits for 3 games.

02-21-2024, 08:03 PM	#773
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	July 28-30, 2031: vs Oakland (3) Game 1: 5-6 L. LP-Evans (3-5, 4 3 2 2 4 7). HR-Caminero (9), Luciano (5). The Rays dropped their 7th game in 11 since the All-Star break as their comeback fell short. Haro was 3-5 with a double and an RBI in a losing cause. Game 2: 5-4 W (16). WP-Dodson (3-2). Starter-Khattak (7 6 2 2 0 4). HR-Caminero (10), Hardy (20). We needed that one after the poor run of late. Hardy's homer in the 8th tied it up after they blew the lead in the top of the inning and on into the night we went before Albies singled home Angel Rivera after the latter hit his second double of the night. Should have won earlier (leaving 14 on base) but we'll take it. Game 3: 2-0 W. WP-Eldridge (5-7, 5.1 2 0 0 0 4). S-Ogando (8). HR-Alvarez (7), Caminero (11). A strange game in which the Rays had only two hits but they were the solo homers you see right above. It was Yordan's first dinger since June 13, and although he missed 10 days with injury that's still a ridiculous drought. Meanwhile Caminero, who had a miserable first half, has now homered in 4 straight games. Eldridge had to leave early with a mild hamstring tweak but the bullpen came through despite being exhausted the night before. Team record: 60-43. With Toronto also taking 2 of 3 the division lead holds at 1 1/2 games. Next up: An off-day then we head out west to play 3 against the Angels in Anaheim.

02-24-2024, 06:58 PM	#774
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	August 1-3, 2031: at LA Angels (3) Trade time: We swung a deal at the deadline as for the umpteenth consecutive year we weren't sold on sticking with Marco Luciano at 3B so we picked one up, an old face: Welcome back to the organization Carson Williams. He was dealt to San Francisco back in the winter of 22-23 when he was a prospect but didn't emerge as an MLB regular until his age 26 season in 2030 with Seattle. He was available for free earlier in the year when the Mariners waived him and Milwaukee picked him up where he excelled at 278/369/468 with 13 HR and 1.8 WAR in 75 games. He's a 55/55 hitter with a 55 glove, so just a little above average all-around and an improvement on Luciano. The cost wasn't high in a B-/C+ prospect like Jeffery. Victor Mesa was sent back to Durham to make room. Game 1: 1-5 L. LP-Bradley (9-7, 5.2 6 3 3 2 7). This team has a hard time hitting on the road and today was no exception with only 3 hits. Game 2: 1-2 L. LP-Acosta (3-2, 7 4 2 2 1 4). Today they got the hits (9) but couldn't bring anyone home, leaving the bases loaded in both the 8th and 9th innings trailing by one run. Game 3: 1-3 L. LP-German (7-4, 6 6 3 2 0 5). Same sht, different day as the Rays concluded a weekend of pitiful performances, scoring three runs in three games and being swept by an Angels team that was 39-62 coming in. Again they put men on (9 hits and a walk) but couldn't hit when it mattered in the clutch. Team record: 60-46*. With Toronto taking 2 of 3 the Rays have now dropped into second, 1/2 game behind the Jays. Next up: A day off to fly back across the country to Baltimore, where we play against the Orioles.

02-27-2024, 03:50 PM	#775
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	August 5-7, 2031: at Baltimore (3) Transaction: Claimed P Brandon Marklund on waivers from the Cubs. Marklund is a decent reliever rated 60/65/50 and will give us a better RH option in middle relief. Game 1: 14-0 W. WP-Evans (4-5, 7 3 0 0 3 9). HR-Haro (13), E.Green (10). A romp for the Rays as they banged out 17 hits and Evans was nearly unhittable. Alistair Hardy drove in 4 with a pair of 2-run doubles and he and Caminero each had 3 hits. Game 2: 1-6 L. LP-Khattak (11-6, 5 4 3 3 4 4). From feast to famine at the plate as the Rays were barely in this one. Carson Williams did get his first Rays RBI with a double in the 2nd. To add injury to insult, Brandon Marklund had to leave his Rays debut appearance with elbow inflammation and will be out 6 weeks. Transaction: Marklund goes on the IL and 2025 3rd-round pick Alex Lara is called up from Durham. Lara is rated 50/65/35 so he's a break-glass-in-emergency kind of guy to use. Game 3: 2-5 L. LP-Buckman (1-1). Starter-Eldridge (5.2 6 2 2 1 5). Total frustration as the Rays left a ridiculous 16 men on base and probably should have won 8-5. Marco Luciano was responsible for 8 LOB by himself. Despite that they took a 2-0 lead into the 6th and Buckman imploded, allowing Eldridge's men to score and 3 of his own. Team record: 61-48. Fortunately the Jays also lost 2 of 3 (at home) so no ground was lost as they remain 1/2 game up on us. Next up: Back home for 3 against the Mets who are also 61-48 so cue the Spider-Man memes. Farm news: To give you an idea of how bad our High-A Charleston team has been going, they lost a game 16-0 this week which saw their opponent have a player hit for the cycle, another with a 5-hit game, and oh by the way their pitcher threw a no-hitter.

03-02-2024, 06:24 PM	#776
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	August 8-10, 2031: vs NY Mets (3) Game 1: 2-4 L. LP-Bradley (9-8, 6 6 3 3 1 8). HR-Y.Alvarez (8). Rays took a 2-1 lead into the 7th but gave up 3 runs with Ivan Armstrong the primary culprit, allowing two Taj runners to score and one of his own. Game 2: 6-3 W. WP-Acosta (4-2, 6 4 1 1 3 5). HR-Y.Alvarez (9). Like yesterday the Rays had a 2-1 lead late but unlike last night they expanded on it with 4 in the 8th on an Albies double and a 3-run Yordan homer (off a lefty) and won comfortably in the end. Game 3: 9-2 W. WP-Evans (5-5, 5 2 1 1 2 7). HR-C.Williams (1/16). Carson Williams hit his first homer as a Ray to get them on the board, and a 5-run 6th broke it open. Nelson Haro was 3-5 with a 2-run double and RBI single. Team record: 63-49. Still 1/2 game behind Toronto as the Jays also took 2 of 3. Next up: Minnesota visits the Trop for 3 games. MLB News: St. Louis star Jordan Walker hit his 300th career homer.

03-05-2024, 09:28 AM	#777
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	August 11-13, 2031: vs Minnesota (3) Game 1: 3-1 W. WP-Khattak (12-6, 6.2 6 1 1 2 8). S-R.Rodriguez (23). HR-Rivera (7), Franco (6). A couple of homers and a great outing from Khattak led the Rays to a crisply-played win. Game 2: 6-1 W. WP-Eldridge (6-7, 6 1 0 0 3 7). HR-Caminero (12), Solano (11), Arrambide (3). Nobody's turned his season around like Bryce Eldridge, who now has his ERA down to 3.56 after a miserable first month or two of the season. Rookie backup C Cade Arrambide's 3-run homer broke it open. Game 3: 4-5 L. LP-Bradley (9-9, 5 6 5 5 2 5, 3 HR). HR-Haro (14). Taj was homer-happy and put the Rays in a 5-1 hole they couldn't quite dig out of. Team record: 65-50. Toronto lost 2 of 3 in Seattle so the Rays regained first place by 1/2 game. Next up: A day off then Cleveland visits for 3 games.

03-09-2024, 10:48 PM	#778
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	August 15-17, 2031: vs Cleveland (3) Game 1: 1-3 L. LP-Okuda (7-1). Starter-Acosta (5 3 0 0 0 5). HR-Y.Alvarez (10). Cleveland scored 3 times off Okuda in the 6th and that was the ballgame. Game 2: 6-1 W. WP-German (8-4). Starter-Evans (4.2 4 1 1 3 7). HR-Franco (7), R.Solano (12). Albies' 2-run double in the 4th was the big hit and Solano added a 2-run jack to lead a comfortable Rays win. Luis German went 3 1/3 scoreless in relief for the win. Game 3: 3-8 L. LP-Khattak (12-7, 4.1 10 3 3 3 4). HR-Franco (8), Haro (15). The bullpen was abysmal in this one, turning a 2-1 game into a blowout loss. With 16 hits allowed and 5 walks from the staff, it could have even been a lot worse. Team record: 66-52. Toronto took 2 of 3 so they re-take first place by 1/2 game from us. Next up: A day off then the Yankees roll into town for 3.

03-14-2024, 07:54 AM	#779
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	August 19-21, 2031: vs NY Yankees (3) Game 1: 5-0 W. WP-Bradley (10-9, 7 2 0 0 1 9). HR-Hardy (21). Taj was dazzling and Hardy's 3-run homer broke the game open to give the Rays a solid win. Game 2: 3-8 L. LP-Eldridge (6-8, 6.2 2 3 3 5 7). HR-Y.Alvarez (11). A 1-1 game into the 7th got away thanks to the bullpen as Eldridge left the bases loaded and Ogando came in to walk the next two, and then he and Ivan Armstrong combined to allow 5 more runs by the 8th. Game 3: 4-5 L. LP-Armenta (4-4). Starter-Acosta (5.1 3 2 2 1 8). HR-Hardy (22). Once again the bullpen was the culprit as leads of 2-0 and 4-3 were squandered by the pen. Acosta departed with two on in the 6th and a 2-0 lead but Luis German coughed up a 3-run homer to the first man he faced. And after they went back ahead Armenta was awful in the 7th, giving up the winning runs. Team record: 67-54. Fortunately the Jays also dropped 2 of 3, so the Rays stay only 1/2 game back in a division nobody seems to want to win these days. Next up: A huge 3-game series with that very same Toronto team north of the border. MLB News: LA's Mookie Betts hit career homer #400.

03-17-2024, 02:05 PM	#780
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,065	August 22-24, 2031: at Toronto (3) Game 1: 3-2 W. WP-Evans (6-5, 5 3 1 1 2 4). S-R.Rodriguez (24). HR-Caminero (13). Rays won a big one in the opener, moving back into first ahead of the Jays thanks to great pitching and a few timely hits. Game 2: 6-12 L. LP-Khattak (12-8, 4.1 10 8 8 2 3). HR-Caminero (14), Alvarez (12). Back-to-back jacks from Caminero and Yordan gave the Rays a quick 3-0 in the 1st but Toronto got 6 off Khattak in the 2nd and never looked back. Game 3: 9-3 W. WP-German (9-4). Starter-Bradley (2 2 3 2 2 1). HR-Caminero 2 (16), Solano (13), Hardy (23). The game started off tough as Taj gave up 3 runs in the 1st and then tore his meniscus on his final pitch of the 2nd. German took over and went 5 4 0 0 0 7 while the bats took care of business with Caminero capping a monster series (4 HR, 6 RBI) with a pair of 2-run homers to give the Rays a series win and first place once again by 1/2 game. Bradley's season is done but we were playing with six starters anyway and German will take his place in the rotation. Bradley finishes the season (and likely his Rays career as he's a free agent) at 10-9, 3.71. Team record: 69-55. Next up: Back to the Trop for 3 against Detroit.