Wow! These last two games in The Trop have been some of the most exciting games in team history. Two very good teams playing in front of a packed crowd, and both came down to the last out! Are we sure it is not October already? If the games are this nail-biting all the way through the season there is about a 1.278% chance I will live to see the end of our playoff run. I can only imagine what the atmosphere was like in-person.
Pimp walkin’ ain’t easy: Has there been a bigger surprise to this season that the play of J.P. Howell? His BAA is basically .200 regardless of if he is facing a righty or lefty. His fastball away is really tough on left-handed batters, and his curveball is death to righties. I could not have been more wrong about Howell’s ability to contribute to this team, and I love every bite of crow that I have to eat.
Livin’ on the edge: Troy Percival has certainly made the last two nights a bit interesting to say the least. Regardless, Percy buckled down when he had to and got the job done. I love having Percival out in there in 9th, but he could make it much easier on my heart if he could go back to getting those 1-2-3 innings.
Evan Almighty: How great was that play that Longoria made to end the game on Tuesday? I continued to be impressed with his defense at third, and I have no concerns that his bat will come around. The power that he displayed with that effortless homerun to right on Tuesday was a great example of his talent. I honestly believe Longoria is going to have multiple 35+ home run seasons in his career. Hopefully all of them will be in a Tampa Bay uniform.
Looking ahead: The Rays should have a great chance to sweep the team with the best record in baseball today as they send James Shields to the mound. There is no reason we should ever lose a home game with Shields taking the ball against a rookie starter for the other team. If the Rays get the win tonight they will improve to 5-1 on the homestand before welcoming in a slumping Astros team. They have a great shot to notch a 7-2 record over the homestand, which would give them a great chance to further extend their three game lead in the Wild Card. The Rays need to take advantage of these winnable games at home, because the Yankees appear to be coming on fast.
June 19th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Boy two great games to be at. There was a differenct kind of electricity in the crowds the last 2 games. No body leaving until game is over. Had a little fun with a Cub fan. She kept holding a sign up that on one side said Wrigley field south and the other just Chicago cubs. Well two nights in a row I watched this. Then after last nites win I said to her if she wanted to tear that sign up and leave it on the floor tommorrow night I’d bring my broom and sweep it up for her. Guys if you can make the trop tonight I think you’ll feel that different mood.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Rays 5th starter takes down Cubs ace (and he only was hurt after giving up 5 runs). Time for Shields to get back in his grove today.
Schedule eases up a bit after tonight. The broadcast last night had the Top 5 records in baseball, and the Rays have played many games against the other 4 — BoSox, Cubs, Angels and Cards. Still waiting for an offensive explosion; maybe when Pena returns and the suspensions subside (keep appealing Aki while you are getting on base).
June 19th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Speaking of Longoria’s defense, there was a play in the 2nd inning that might be unnoticed because it was not spectacular but demonstrates his great instincts. With Aramis on first and one out, Soto hit a grounder that Evan had to charge. Simultaneously, my son and I said “Damn, no DP” when Longoria spun and threw a perfect strike to Iwamura who then easily got Soto. It may even have come on a 3-2 pitch, so Aramis may have been running (of that I am not sure), but either way, it showed great anticipation and probably peripheral vision to see where Ramirez was. Breathtaking in its own way even if never on as a web gem.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Ok Ok GET in your cars NOW and start driving to the stadium. Get there early and buy a ticket. Uppers only $14. Come help us SWEEP the CUBS.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I was at the game last night and I have to say I said the exact same thing. It felt like I was at a playoff game. And it really could not have ended any better than Fukudome striking out looking. It was incredible.