You guys know how much I love my statistics. Whether you agree or disagree with my take on them, thank you for putting up with them. :)
That said, here are some more statistics for you:
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Obviously, there’s some good news and some bad news in that group there. One thing can’t be argued - win or lose tonight against the Yankees, the Rays have really turned it around here in August and are playing much better baseball. Sure, it doesn’t hurt that the Orioles appear to have rolled over and died, but we now sit only 5 games behind Baltimore for 4th place in the division. It sucks to be playing for 4th place, but that’s kind of like our own little mini pennant race right now.
Some links for ya:
In case you missed it, the biggest homer to walk the earth - the Sports Guy Bill Simmons - has taken to Trop-bashing. We briefly covered this yesterday, but here it is for anyone that doesn’t read comments. I used to be a fan of his, but somewhere along the way he started playing to the idiot masses and became a really bad comedian instead of a really witty sportswriter. (Source)
The Tampa Tribune is now in the stadium designing business. (Source)
The latest on the September call-up situation. Durham and Montgomery being in the playoff mix hurts the Rays’ chances of grabbing players, but I’ll take the trade-off of those players getting valuable championship experience. (Source)
Because both Durham and Montgomery are closing in on playoff spots, the Rays won’t have an influx of September call-ups just yet.
“We want to give our affiliates a chance to go ahead and win,” Maddon said.
Maddon said the Rays may bring up one or two players this weekend but discussions were still ongoing about the specifics. Veteran RHP Jay Witasick is expected to be one of them, as he is more than ready to return from his rehab assignment with the Bulls.
Many teams bring up a third catcher in September and the Rays are no different, but they don’t have a healthy receiver on the 40-man roster in the minors after Shawn Riggans underwent season-ending elbow surgery. Raul Casanova is a possibility to return, but the Rays would have to open up a 40-man spot for him.
“I would like to have a third catcher,” said Maddon, “but we don’t know how we’re going to work that out as of yet.”
As for the player who might be the most anticipated September call-up, Rocco Baldelli, there was nothing new on his status Thursday.
That same article was the 947th I’ve seen that notes that the Rays bullpen has become a strength of the team. (Source)
Shocking. MLBtraderumors.com lists Jae Seo as a non-tender candidate by the Rays. (sarcasm) I can’t understand why the team wouldn’t want to keep him around. (/sarcasm) (Source)
In yet another shocking assessment, the Rays like Grant Balfour. (Source)
Have a great Labor Day weekend, guys! Be safe, be healthy, and watch plenty of baseball and college football. No coffee thread on Monday due to the holiday.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:41 am
Balfour has been outstanding for us. I love his style of pitching in the bullpen. He actually has that closer type of stuff and attitude. Who knows? He could be the guy to be our closer down the road.
I do hope the Rays recent success will continue, and I think if they are serious about becoming a .500 team, they will need to play great in September.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:06 am
They will be playing some pivotal games and can have something to play for. The fate of our division can rest in their hands. The races are so close the Rays can sure mess up some teams thoughts of post season and I am hoping they do.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:34 am
Bill Simmons book is "Now I Can Die In Peace". WHAT THE HELL IS HE WAITING FOR…..
August 31st, 2007 at 2:46 pm
My thoughts exactly Johnny. He clearly has nothing left to write about if he has to fly down to Tampa and tear into the Rays. He needs to die so that we can all LIVE in peace without his hackneyed comments about what a bad organization the Rays have.
A lot of old people live in St. Pete and go to Rays games, so what. A lot of retards go to the Trop wearing pink and red and green Red Sox gear because it is in vogue to do so, so what. And I still have no problem chanting 1918 to Red Sox "fans" outside of Boston because most of them don’t know what that means anyway due to the fact that they joined up after the 2004 campaign. Bill, write more about the mercurial fools on the fringes of Dead Sox nation and leave those of us shlepping through low-salary/underfunded life in the MLB to continue in peace, we wouldn’t want to do it your way anyhow and we’ll have our day.