OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - 2004 Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Youth Brings Hope

BostonRS14 · 08-20-2004, 03:52 AM

Upcoming Series:

New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida

Team Records:
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: 16-30, .348 (HM: 11-14), 5th AL East, -12.5
New York Yankees: 29-18, .617 (RD: 12-14), 1st AL East, +5.0

Season Series: 4-2, Tampa Bay.

Pitching Matchups:
05/28: Mike Mussina (4-4, 3.58) vs. Jeremi Gonzalez (4-2, 5.75)
05/29: Kevin Brown (4-3, 5.17) vs. Todd Ritchie (1-4, 4.91)
05/30: Jeff Suppan (1-6, 5.88) vs. Jose Contreras (4-2, 4.68)

Series Preview:
To say this series means nothing to the Yankees, would be to assume that losing the season opening series that was split between Tokyo and Florida didn't still sting. Despite claims to the contrary, the Yankees are coming to beat the Devil Rays handidly. With the exception of Texas, Tampa Bay is the only team with a winning record against the Yankees and for a team with high aspirations like the Yankees, that is something that is not supposed to happen.

Not much will be expected out of the Devil Rays here. The team has struggled horribly since opening the season with an improbable 4 game sweep of the Yankees. Jose Cruz appears on the verge of joining Lou Pinella's doghouse, joining most of the bullpen and half the starting staff. Chuck LaMar is working the phones nonstop now, attempting to build some type of market for his veterans. It is clearly time to shift focus to 2005 and the promotions of Jonny Gomes and Bobby Seay for this series is the first step.

Tampa Bay Team News: (05/25-05/28)

none

Around the League: (05/25-05/28)

05/25:
-Boston claimed CF Tsuyoshi Shinjo off waivers from Milwaukee.
-Boston's Pedro Martinez struck out 15 Oakland batters on his way to a 2-hit shutout.
-Arizona LF Luis Gonzalez hit ihs 2,000th career hit against San Francisco. Gonzalez hit a first inning double off Jermome Williams for the milestone.
05/26:
-Florida claimed LF Geoff Jenkins off waivers from Florida.
-Oakland C Adam Melhuse set a new American League record with 6 hits in a game against Boston.

American League East Standings: (5/19/2004)

Code:


Team        W-L   PCT   GB  Streak Last 10
New York  29-18  .617    -    W3    7-3
Boston    25-24  .510  5.0    L2    5-5
Toronto   23-24  .489  6.0    W1    3-7
Baltimore 17-30  .362  12.0   L5    4-6
Tampa Bay 16-30  .348  12.5   L2    4-6

08-20-2004, 03:52 AM	#65
BostonRS14 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 1,029	Upcoming Series: New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida Team Records: Tampa Bay Devil Rays: 16-30, .348 (HM: 11-14), 5th AL East, -12.5 New York Yankees: 29-18, .617 (RD: 12-14), 1st AL East, +5.0 Season Series: 4-2, Tampa Bay. Pitching Matchups: 05/28: Mike Mussina (4-4, 3.58) vs. Jeremi Gonzalez (4-2, 5.75) 05/29: Kevin Brown (4-3, 5.17) vs. Todd Ritchie (1-4, 4.91) 05/30: Jeff Suppan (1-6, 5.88) vs. Jose Contreras (4-2, 4.68) Series Preview: To say this series means nothing to the Yankees, would be to assume that losing the season opening series that was split between Tokyo and Florida didn't still sting. Despite claims to the contrary, the Yankees are coming to beat the Devil Rays handidly. With the exception of Texas, Tampa Bay is the only team with a winning record against the Yankees and for a team with high aspirations like the Yankees, that is something that is not supposed to happen. Not much will be expected out of the Devil Rays here. The team has struggled horribly since opening the season with an improbable 4 game sweep of the Yankees. Jose Cruz appears on the verge of joining Lou Pinella's doghouse, joining most of the bullpen and half the starting staff. Chuck LaMar is working the phones nonstop now, attempting to build some type of market for his veterans. It is clearly time to shift focus to 2005 and the promotions of Jonny Gomes and Bobby Seay for this series is the first step. Tampa Bay Team News: (05/25-05/28) none Around the League: (05/25-05/28) 05/25: -Boston claimed CF Tsuyoshi Shinjo off waivers from Milwaukee. -Boston's Pedro Martinez struck out 15 Oakland batters on his way to a 2-hit shutout. -Arizona LF Luis Gonzalez hit ihs 2,000th career hit against San Francisco. Gonzalez hit a first inning double off Jermome Williams for the milestone. 05/26: -Florida claimed LF Geoff Jenkins off waivers from Florida. -Oakland C Adam Melhuse set a new American League record with 6 hits in a game against Boston. American League East Standings: (5/19/2004) Code: Team W-L PCT GB Streak Last 10 New York 29-18 .617 - W3 7-3 Boston 25-24 .510 5.0 L2 5-5 Toronto 23-24 .489 6.0 W1 3-7 Baltimore 17-30 .362 12.0 L5 4-6 Tampa Bay 16-30 .348 12.5 L2 4-6 Last edited by BostonRS14; 08-20-2004 at 03:54 AM.