Yankees 2, RAYS 1: No, the sky is NOT falling
By Scott Caruso | July 10th, 2008 | Posted in Game Recap
I don’t want anyone to start freaking out over this little 3-game losing streak that the Rays are on right now. It’s not the end of the world by any stretch of the imagination. Does it stink to lose 2 games to the Yankees after all of the positive media attention we’ve gotten of late? Absolutely. At the end of the day, though, the Rays still maintain a 2-game lead on Boston and a 6 1/2-game lead on New York, and that’s really all that matters.
Clearly, the Rays’ offense is to blame for the lackluster showing in The Bronx. 1 run in two games? Pathetic. No hits with runners in scoring position? Ghastly. It’s actually quite shocking that a first place team can run as hot and cold as the Rays have, but that just speaks volumes to how well the pitching has perfomed to keep the Rays playing at such a high level. I keep thinking that the offense is eventually going to “click” and we’re reel off 5 straight 10-2 wins, but it just hasn’t happened yet. It looked like it was starting to happen in the Kansas City series before the wheels fell off of that. This team is like the ultimate tease. Every time you think they are ready to jump up into another gear, they ease back a little bit and remind us that it’s still just a bunch of 20-somethings still figuring out how to play this game. And that’s okay. It’s who they are. We just need to remember that sometimes.
Again, the world is NOT coming to an end after these two losses. The Rays could easily win the next 4 games in Cleveland and re-open a big-time lead in the division based on how Boston plays. At the very least, 4 straight wins ensures that the team heads into the All-Star Break with momentum and a lead of at least 2 games. There’s not a person among us who wouldn’t have signed up for a 2-game lead at the All-Star Break before this season started. Heck, there’s not a person among who wouldn’t have signed up for being 2 games OUT at the All-Star Break. Isn’t that really what makes this run so amazing? It took even us - the most hardcore, passionate, and optimistic fans of all - by huge surprise.
I really think the Rays can make some noise in Cleveland to close out the first half. That’s a beaten, dejected team down there, just ripe for the picking. I like our chances.
Tags: Yankees
July 10th, 2008 at 8:33 am
OK! It’s now push time. Everyone click on and vote as many times as you can. Let’s show them that we are true to our team the Rays. Click or Copy & past to vote. Send to your friends
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/fv/ballot.html
July 10th, 2008 at 10:58 am
The rays will always be a second rate franchse. the collapse is coming; get ready
July 10th, 2008 at 11:39 am
@ jon. I hate sore LOOSER’S. It takes an idiot to call them second rate when they have accomplished what they have. You better get a life because you are out of touch with baseball
July 10th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Charle, Jon’s probably one of those guys born in the area but are Red Sox band wagonners or Yankee doodle dandilions.
July 10th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Your correct Rich, I hate when I get so upset to respond to people that have no Idea of what they are talking about. Let’s take 4 and go home. Go Rays
July 10th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I know where you are coming from Charlie. I think on an earlier post I said watch the nay sayers come out of the woodwork. Take 4 in Cleveland would be great. Make a 4 and 2 road trip, even 3 would be nice. Play 500 on the road and win at home and your chances of post season is pretty high.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Ruggie is tearing up AAA. he and the gomer ought to switch places. Thayer has given up ZERO homeruns in 46.1 innings. Gooseman may have 16 HRs, but is unremarkable after that. No one is really standing out with the bat but Ruggie.