Is it possible to over-state how good James Shields was today? What about how great the Rays were over the weekend? The answer to both, of course, is no.
There has NEVER been a bigger series win, a bigger sweep, or a bigger week than the one that was for the Rays. Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived and we are a contender in the AL East.
I repeat - WE ARE A CONTENDER IN THE AL EAST.
James The Better-Than-Great: How about “James the Fabulous”? “James the Outstanding”? “James the Near-Perfect?” This was the best I ever remember Shields looking. He had ALL of his pitches working today - great movement on the fastball, a nasty breaking pitch, and the Red Sox never had a chance against him today. A truly “ace” performance by Shields. He barely broke a sweat out there, either. He was that good.
He was efficient, too. Completing the game and tallying the strikeout in 99 pitches. There were very few wasted pitches in there. And of his 20 batted outs, 12 of them were of the ground-ball variety. By any measure, this was a fabulous game thrown by Jamie.
Making Your Own Breaks: I don’t think I’ve ever seen a runner score all the way from first on a botched pickoff throw, but that’s exactly what happened in the 3rd inning today. Bartlett really motored around the bases, too. Great job by him of recognizing that J.D. Drew’s throw was junk, because he could’ve easily just held up at third base. He may not be hitting great right now, but his defense and baserunning is superb.
The Longoria and Short of It: For 2 1/2 at bats, Evan Longoria was horribly over-matched by Josh Beckett. That all changed with one swing. Beckett came with the curve, and Evan told it goodbye. A tremendous adjustment by Longoria to recognize the pitch that Beckett had gotten him out with before. When he connects with one, that ball sure does jump off of his bat.
And, oh yeah, his defense is fantastic. I have such a man crush…
3…2…1… no contact: Okay, so it wasn’t all puppy dogs and lollipops out there. The Rays really struggled to make contact today. A lot of it, of course, has to do with the filthy stuff that Beckett had, but you’re not going to win a lot of games when 15 of your 24 outs are made via the strike out. The biggest offenders: Aki and Upton with 3 of them apiece. As long as it doesn’t become a trend, we can chalk this one up to just a great performance on the other side.
How Does It Feel? And by that I mean first place. Because the Orioles are about to lose, which will put the Rays in a three-way tie atop the AL East.
Take Back the Stadium: There were still too many Red Sox fans in attendance at the Trop. I beg the Raysverse to take back Tropicana Field the next time the Crimson Hosers come to town.
April 27th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I was a little concerned about Longoria’s defense after watching a few spring training games. What was I thinking? The kid is a tremendous third baseman.
The D-Rays have given up 2 runs in their last 27 innings. Kazmir pitched 0 of those innings. I cant believe I just said that. Hammel is up next. I have never thought he was a major league pitcher, but the way these guys are playing maybe he can keep it going. Go Rays!
April 27th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Wow!!! This team will really have a decision when Kaz comes up.
The team has confidence and is on fire. If we keep this up…
What’s that. I think I hear of an untold paradise called the PLAYOFFS!!!
April 27th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Outstanding performance by Shields. Cannot be said enough!!
And that HR by Longoria was huge. Great adjustment. In my mind, that run really put the nail in the coffin for the Red Sox.
And Bartlett deserves some credit too. Since his troubles with ‘dead arm,’ he’s really come back and played some great baseball both defensively and on the basepaths.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Charlie Ray, you and your sign were on TV! Unless it was someone else with a sign exactly like the one you said you were making?
April 28th, 2008 at 9:48 am
That was me in the flesh….. I mean in the Rays shirt
April 28th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Yeah. I saw you too Charlie. It must have been sweet to watch all the red sox fans walk out with their heads hung low.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
They are probably the worst fans along with the Yankees. I say this with my wife is from Mass and I am from NY. We are season ticket holders and go to at least 65 games a year. When they come to town they triple security. We like to see other fans come and cheer for their team. Now when I say this I don’t mean “all”, because I always meet great fans from both NYY & BOS but there is always the BAD fan who is looking for a fight or only there to get drunk. Last night we had the fan that did not want to cheer for his team but to harass anyone who cheered for the Rays. They direct the remarks to you and NOT the game. Now all that said they not only tucked their tails between their legs and ducked out after the HR by Longoria. I was all that SWEET. We were out manned 3 to 1 and made up the difference with the cow bells and it worked
April 28th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
You must have a typo — it was Jamie Shields who beat his beloved Red Sox according to Peter Gammons.
Rays fans outnumbered them yesterday and made their presence felt. Kepp winning, they’ll go the way of the Packer jerseys at Bucs games.