The 2022 (and beyond) Tampa Bay Rays - Page 47

Art Deco · 02-10-2025, 01:44 PM

Game 1: 11-5 W. WP-Stevenson (5-0). Starter-Lennon (4.1 10 5 5 0 6). HR-Y.Alvarez (10), Hardy (14). It was a back-and-forth affair until the Rays went forth in the 7th and broke a 5-5 tie and the Cubs didn't come back. Hardy's 3-run homer was the winner and he, Yordan and Pino had 3-RBI days to lead the onslaught.

Game 2: 2-3 L. LP-Watters (1-2). Starter-Acosta (6 3 1 1 1 3). HR-Pino (3/24). Short of RH bullpen options I went to Watters in a 2-2 game in the 7th and it was a mistake as he gave up the winning run, continuing his terrible season and wasting a brilliant return from the IL by Acosta.

Game 3: 9-3 W. WP-Stone (6-5, 5 4 3 3 3 7). HR-Rutschman 2 (16), Hardy (15), Pino (4/25). Massive games from Rutschman (3-5 with a double, 2 HR, 3 RBI) and Pino (3-4, walk, homer, 3 RBI) led the Rays to a series win over Chicago.

Team record: 50-33. And the Rays continue to creep closer to the Yankees, who dropped 2 of 3 over the weekend and now only lead the division by 1 1/2 games. Next up: Off to Fenway for 4 against Boston.

Art Deco · 02-13-2025, 04:33 PM

Game 1: 9-3 W. WP-Oviedo (9-2, 5 7 0 0 2 4). HR-C.Williams (8). Rays scored in 6 of the 9 innings as they romped against the Red Sox. The bottom of the order did the damage with Williams 2-3 with 3 runs scored, the homer and 2 RBI, Cedillos with a double, triple and 3 RBI and backup C Arrambide 3-5 with 2 RBI.

Game 2: 5-6 L. LP-Stevenson (5-1). Starter-Fragoso (4.1 6 5 5 2 4). Rays fought back from 5-1 down to tie it only to see Stevenson give up the winner in the 7th. Haro had a 2-run double and Hardy was 3-5 with a ribbie.

Game 3: 1-4 L. LP-Lennon (7-4, 5 6 4 4 1 5). The bats were quiet today with only 5 hits as the Rays lost again.

July 7: Activated P Benjamin Buckman from the 15-day IL and DFA'd P Eric Orze.

Buckman will return to the rotation, replacing Fragoso who's struggled in his last three start and will take over the long relief/mop-up role.

Game 4: 3-8 L. LP-Acosta (2-4, 5 6 4 4 0 3). A rough series in Beantown concluded the Rays' worst loss of the 3, although Haro was 5-5 with 3 doubles and an RBI. New pickup Pino had a rough game, 0-4 with 5 LOB and his error led to four unearned runs which turned a 4-3 game into an 8-3 one.

Team record: 51-36. The three losses, combined the Yankees taking 3 of 4, push the Rays to 3 1/2 back in the division. Also their hold on WC1 is more tenuous as the White Sox have pulled to within two there. Next up: 3 games in Milwaukee before we hit the All-Star break.

Art Deco · 02-16-2025, 01:10 PM

Game 1: 6-4 W. WP-Stevenson (6-1). S-R.Rodriguez (20). Starter-Buckman (4 3 3 3 3 3, 3 HR). HR-Hardy (16), Haro (9). Buckman gave up 3 solo homers in the 4th to put the Rays in a 3-0 hole but they came right back with 3 in the 5th and went on to win. Hardy was 2-3 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI.

Game 2: 3-5 L (10). LP-Green (1-2). Starter-Stone (6 6 2 2 1 8). HR-Y.Alvarez (11). Rays came back twice to tie including Yordan's solo homer in the 8th but the execrable Max Green gave up a 2-run homer in the 10th to lose it. Signed for $13.3M this offseason to give us a lefty weapon in the pen we've instead been shooting ourselves with him as he's allowed 8 homers in only 26 IP and "boasts" a 6.57 ERA.

Game 3: 5-2 W. WP-Oviedo (10-2, 5.1 6 2 2 1 3). S-R.Rodriguez (21). HR-Pino (5/26), Rutschman (17). Rays took the rubber game behind another strong performance from Oviedo and Rutschman's 2-run homer in the 6th which broke a 2-2 tie and sent them to victory.

Team record: 53-37. We did regain a game on the Yankees to pull within 2 1/2 but the White Sox remain hot on our heels for WC1, only 2 back. Next up: The All-Star break and the Amateur Draft, and when we return to action it'll be for four at home against Toronto starting Thursday.

Art Deco · 02-18-2025, 10:05 AM

The Players:

Half of the season has been played and now it's time for the All-Star game! It's a game where the fans will get to see their favorite players compete on the same field together, a game where the players themselves become fans and all of baseball comes together to celebrate one of the great traditions of the game -- the Major League Baseball All-Star game. The American League and the National League will come together today to decide the title of the best league for this season.

Here are the talented stars on the American League roster:

SP Jonathan Edwards (BOS) - 8-2, 3.41 ERA, 95.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 11.1 K/9, 2.9 WAR
SP Ignacio Gonzales (NYY) - 9-5, 3.83 ERA, 124.2 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 9.2 K/9, 3.7 WAR
SP Wyatt Hudepohl (SEA)* - 7-5, 2.53 ERA, 114.0 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 2.8 WAR
SP Edwin Montoya (CLE) - 10-3, 2.11 ERA, 98.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 2.6 WAR
SP Dakota Stone (TB) - 6-5, 3.08 ERA, 108.0 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, 3.3 WAR
SP Juan Tello (MIN) - 6-1, 2.49 ERA, 79.2 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 1.1 WAR
SP Jose Virgen (KC) - 6-3, 2.62 ERA, 110.0 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 2.2 WAR
RP Luis Cuevas (LAA) - 1-2, 1.96 ERA, 36.2 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 11.5 K/9, 0.9 WAR
RP Andrew Perez (OAK) - 2-3, 3.28 ERA, 49.1 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, -0.3 WAR
RP Randy Rodriguez (TB) - 2-2, 20 SV, 2.00 ERA, 36.0 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 14.2 K/9, 1.9 WAR
RP Angel Vargas (TB) - 3-1, 2.02 ERA, 49.0 IP, 1.45 WHIP, 11.6 K/9, 1.8 WAR
CL Max Meyer (NYY)* - 2-0, 13 SV, 1.17 ERA, 38.1 IP, 0.86 WHIP, 13.4 K/9, 1.7 WAR
CL Jesus Romillo (DET) - 3-4, 28 SV, 2.16 ERA, 50.0 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 0.7 WAR
C Gabriel Moreno (TOR) - .279/.361/.511, 219 AB, 12 HR, 138 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
C Adley Rutschman (TB)* - .256/.353/.473, 262 AB, 16 HR, 126 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
C Tyler Stephenson (CWS) - .265/.348/.376, 245 AB, 5 HR, 3 SB, 103 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
1B Nick Camacho (BAL) - .281/.339/.478, 270 AB, 13 HR, 6 SB, 122 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
1B Dave Gomez (CWS) - .319/.384/.615, 213 AB, 17 HR, 175 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)* - .252/.367/.438, 322 AB, 17 HR, 1 SB, 123 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
2B Jose Pino (TB)* - .296/.384/.583, 324 AB, 25 HR, 165 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
3B Juan Dobbs (DET) - .308/.356/.491, 334 AB, 7 HR, 7 SB, 128 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
3B Wander Franco (BOS) - .349/.401/.627, 338 AB, 21 HR, 1 SB, 180 wRC+, 5.4 WAR
3B Justin Sill (CWS)* - .299/.350/.624, 348 AB, 32 HR, 162 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
3B Wilfred Veras (CWS)* - .304/.388/.618, 322 AB, 29 HR, 1 SB, 174 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
3B Kevin White (CLE) - .292/.369/.602, 322 AB, 28 HR, 1 SB, 163 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
SS Antonio Anderson (CWS) - .259/.321/.491, 316 AB, 14 HR, 5 SB, 121 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
SS Carlos Correa (NYY)* - .255/.340/.380, 271 AB, 8 HR, 5 SB, 100 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
LF Dave Aleman (DET)* - .298/.377/.544, 329 AB, 18 HR, 21 SB, 147 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
LF Alex Kirilloff (BOS) - .298/.359/.548, 305 AB, 19 HR, 3 SB, 146 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
LF Luis Morales (MIN) - .301/.381/.543, 322 AB, 18 HR, 152 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
LF Junior Perez (LAA) - .237/.331/.602, 304 AB, 34 HR, 1 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
LF Orlando Reyna (SEA) - .317/.370/.540, 252 AB, 15 HR, 1 SB, 144 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
CF Julio Rodriguez (SEA)* - .291/.377/.514, 247 AB, 12 HR, 6 SB, 146 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
RF Kyle Tucker (NYY)* - .284/.359/.466, 324 AB, 12 HR, 7 SB, 126 wRC+, 2.8 WAR

And these are the gifted players for the National League:

SP Robert Ahlstrom (NYM)* - 8-5, 2.32 ERA, 128.0 IP, 0.94 WHIP, 11.2 K/9, 4.1 WAR
SP Edwin Barreto (ATL) - 7-7, 2.93 ERA, 107.2 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 14.3 K/9, 3.6 WAR
SP Parker Detmers (WSH) - 8-3, 4.09 ERA, 94.2 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 14.0 K/9, 2.7 WAR
SP Jayden McClarin (NYM) - 8-6, 2.67 ERA, 118.0 IP, 0.88 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, 3.8 WAR
SP Luis Patiño (LAD) - 7-7, 4.03 ERA, 96.0 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 1.6 WAR
SP Juan Sandoval (NYM) - 10-4, 2.61 ERA, 110.1 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 10.8 K/9, 3.7 WAR
SP Isaiah White (MIL) - 5-5, 3.51 ERA, 105.0 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 13.7 K/9, 1.7 WAR
SP Jose Wicks (SD) - 6-5, 2.45 ERA, 110.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 2.0 WAR
RP Gerardo Carrillo (PHI) - 2-1, 8 SV, 2.02 ERA, 49.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, 0.6 WAR
RP Jack Leiter (MIL) - 2-2, 3.15 ERA, 60.0 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 1.1 WAR
RP Frank Mozzicato (ARI) - 7-5, 2.18 ERA, 62.0 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, 1.1 WAR
RP Jared Szabo (MIA) - 1-1, 1.91 ERA, 56.2 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 0.6 WAR
CL Omar Cabrera (SA) - 2-6, 21 SV, 3.92 ERA, 39.0 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, 1.3 WAR
CL Landon Sims (CHC) - 3-5, 20 SV, 5.89 ERA, 36.2 IP, 1.72 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 0.5 WAR
C Francisco Alvarez (NYM) - .220/.305/.404, 245 AB, 12 HR, 97 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
C Edgar Quero (CIN) - .252/.317/.437, 238 AB, 9 HR, 1 SB, 103 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
C Ernesto Ruiz (SA)* - .249/.364/.522, 245 AB, 17 HR, 144 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
1B Vinny Garza (WSH)* - .287/.334/.554, 341 AB, 23 HR, 136 wRC+, 2.3 WAR (Injured)
1B Jacob Gonzalez (ARI) - .305/.359/.548, 341 AB, 22 HR, 7 SB, 138 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
1B Mario Guevara (SF) - .331/.362/.480, 296 AB, 2 HR, 33 SB, 132 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
1B Angel Reinas (LAD)* - .262/.329/.586, 336 AB, 30 HR, 1 SB, 142 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
1B Jamel White (STL)* - .340/.367/.543, 350 AB, 14 HR, 1 SB, 150 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
2B Brian Greer (ARI) - .311/.345/.475, 318 AB, 7 HR, 1 SB, 124 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
2B Sergio Somarriba (ATL)* - .290/.382/.563, 252 AB, 15 HR, 8 SB, 157 wRC+, 3.0 WAR (Injured)
3B Luis Garcia (WSH)* - .317/.374/.516, 322 AB, 12 HR, 3 SB, 141 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
3B Bill Hairston (WSH) - .300/.376/.576, 323 AB, 22 HR, 7 SB, 156 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
3B Nobuo Tasaka (NYM) - .284/.343/.485, 328 AB, 15 HR, 3 SB, 129 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
3B Bobby Witt Jr. (PHI) - .268/.344/.458, 321 AB, 17 HR, 12 SB, 118 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
SS Eric Bitonti (PHI) - .301/.346/.517, 319 AB, 17 HR, 134 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
SS Hector Juarez (WSH)* - .357/.402/.656, 311 AB, 22 HR, 3 SB, 185 wRC+, 4.8 WAR
LF Julio Arriaga (PHI) - .314/.355/.681, 204 AB, 22 HR, 2 SB, 180 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
LF Manny Becerra (COL)* - .365/.422/.506, 348 AB, 2 HR, 41 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
LF Yohendrick Pinango (ATL) - .339/.395/.563, 295 AB, 11 HR, 3 SB, 161 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
CF Angelo Davila (COL) - .315/.384/.547, 232 AB, 10 HR, 6 SB, 148 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
CF Riley Greene (CHC)* - .264/.330/.504, 242 AB, 12 HR, 125 wRC+, 1.1 WAR (Injured)
RF Omar Delgado (CIN) - .292/.362/.577, 319 AB, 26 HR, 1 SB, 155 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
RF Dave Rivera (MIL) - .260/.343/.558, 312 AB, 26 HR, 1 SB, 145 wRC+, 2.0 WAR

(former Rays in italics - Tucker was a one-year rental in 2025 and Greene a half-season rental in 2028)

We sent a decent contingent of five to the game. Starter Stone makes his 4th appearance and first as a Ray, R-Rod goes for the second straight time and Vargas makes a surprise first appearance. Rutschman of course is a fixture - this marks the 11th straight year he's been an All-Star, selected in every season during his career except for his rookie campaign, and new acquisition Pino makes it for the third straight year.

The Derby:

Pino was selected for this competition.

And he won! This is the first (or maybe the second) time I can remember a Ray winning this competition, and Pino did it in style, hitting a contest-best 28 homers in the final round.

The Game:

It was a rough night for the AL and for the Rays contingent as pitchers Vargas and Stone both gave up runs with Stone surrendering a 2-run homer to Bobby Witt Jr. R-Rod didn't pitch. On the batting side at least Pino doubled and scored one of the two AL runs while Rutschman took the collar in 2 at-bats.

Art Deco · 02-18-2025, 10:25 AM

Arroyo: A college SS from San Diego State, he should stick at the position (55 potential) and has a healthy bat (potential for 70 contact, 55 power and 55 eye).

Torrez: High-school OF from Colorado with massive hitting potential (70/70), but despite being listed as a CF will end up in a corner.

Davalos: Arkansas high-schooler who might be iffy at 3B and have to move to the OF but if the bat lives up to billing it won't matter (60 contact, 65 power, 80(!) eye - and 65 avoid Ks).

Marinez: High-school lefty from Mississippi who could have 65 stuff and movement but the catch is a 45 ceiling on his control.

Ohler: A bat-first high-school catcher from that baseball hotbed of Prince Edward Island, Canada. 70/60 contact/power potential but will likely end up a DH with 35 potential behind the plate.

Art Deco · 02-20-2025, 03:29 PM

Game 1: 6-5 W. WP-Stevenson (7-1). S-R.Rodriguez (22). Starter-Buckman (3 8 4 4 1 3). HR-Y.Alvarez (12). Yordan doubled, homered and drove in a pair while Solano knocked in a pair as well to lead the Rays to a win in their first game back since the break.

Game 2: 6-9 L. LP-Ogando (1-4). Starter-Acosta (4.2 3 3 3 2 7). HR-Solano (6), Haro (10). Rays took a 6-4 lead into the 9th only for Ogando to load the bases with nobody out and give up a grand slam, followed by a solo homer, wasting a big game from Solano who doubled twice, homered and drove in 3 runs.

Game 3: 3-1 W. WP-Lennon (8-4, 6.1 4 1 1 2 7). S-R.Rodriguez (23). An outstanding game from Lennon preserved by a 2-inning save from R-Rod as the bullpen options were thin. It should have been a more comfortable victory but they left 10 on, including 7 from Rutschman who was 0-4.

We made a trade to beef up the pen:

Boyle was Boston's closer and had 19 saves but also sported a rough 5.81 ERA in large part due to 22 walks in 31 IP and a .397 BABIP against. He's rated 80/65/45 and has been better in the recent past so he'll give us another option in the pen when Ogando and/or R-Rod aren't ready to close or set up. Sanchez was a marginal relief prospect at Durham while Boyle is a rental. David Fragoso was optioned to the Bulls to make room.

Game 4: 4-5 L. LP-Stevenson (7-2). Starter-Oviedo (3.2 6 3 3 0 5). HR-Cedillos (4). Another painful loss, this time as they loaded the bases in the bottom of the 9th with nobody out and down by a run, only to have Haro whiff, Pino pop up and Yordan strike out to end the game, capping a day in which he was 0-5 with 7 LOB. Oviedo had to leave with a sprained ankle so Fragoso will be back up to take his rotation place for a couple of weeks.

Team record: 55-39. Our position worsened after the split, falling 3 1/2 behind the Yankees in the division and seeing our WC1 lead down to 1/2 game over the White Sox. Next up: A day off then Kansas City visits for 3.

Art Deco · 02-22-2025, 05:25 PM

Game 1: 5-10 L. LP-Stone (6-6, 4 8 6 6 4 4). HR-Pino (6/27), Hardy (17). It looked early like the Rays' day when Pino homered to put them up 3-0 after 3 but the Royals responded with 5 off Stone in the 4th and piled on from there.

Game 2: 9-3 W. WP-Buckman (5-1, 6.1 4 0 0 1 10). HR-Haro 2 (12), Hardy (18), Pino (7/28), Solano (7). Plenty of stellar performances to go around starting with Buckman's best outing as a big-leaguer and Haro's 2-homer, 3-RBI day. Pino added a 2-run shot as the Rays rolled.

Game 3: 3-2 W. WP-Acosta (3-4, 6 3 2 2 2 7). S-R.Rodriguez (24). HR-Solano (8). The Rays had only two hits in the game and both teams combined for a mere six but Solano's was the biggest, a 3-run homer in the 5th which provided all the offense Tampa Bay would need.

Team record: 57-40. Unfortunately the Yankees swept, putting them 4 1/2 up on the Rays in the division and so did the White Sox, moving them into a tie for WC1. Next up: The Rays will have a chance to do something about that division deficit as New York visits for 3 games.

Art Deco · 02-25-2025, 11:01 AM

Transaction: We decided to upgrade the backup catcher position, optioning Cade Arrambide to Durham and recalling Jalen Lowe, our 2nd-round pick in 2028 who was having a nice season (264/311/426) with 8 homers for the Bulls and boasts 50 contact/55 power/55 defense ratings.

Game 1: 7-6 W. WP-Vargas (4-1). S-R.Rodriguez (25). Starter-Lennon (4 9 6 6 1 2). HR-Y.Alvarez (13), Haro (13). What a game. The Yankees led 3-0 after 1 and 6-3 into the 6th before the Rays mounted an inspiring comeback. After getting it back to 6-5, Haro belted a 2-run homer off a lefty in the bottom of the 8th to give Tampa Bay the critical win. Yordan was 3-4 with his 2-run homer as well.

Game 2: 7-4 W. WP-Fragoso (3-4, 6 4 3 3 1 5). S-Ogando (4). HR-Rutschman (18). Another big win for the Rays as they raced out to a 7-0 lead behind Rutschman's 3-run homer and fine pitching from Fragoso in his return to the rotation. He loaded the bases with nobody out in the 7th before giving way to Stevenson, who gave up a grand slam to let NY back in it but the pen held from there.

Game 3: 5-4 W. WP-R.Rodriguez (3-2). Starter-Stone (6 3 1 1 2 9). HR-Cedillos (5). The Rays completed the sweep of the Yankees in thrilling fashion when Cedillos' walk-off homer with 2 out in the 9th broke a 4-4 tie and moved Tampa Bay to within 1 1/2 of New York in the division and 2 ahead of the White Sox for WC1. Stone was brilliant and Yordan was 2-4 with a pair of RBI doubles to give them a 4-1 lead but Vargas blew it in the 7th before Cedillos bailed him out.

Team record: 60-40. Next up: 3 games in Minnesota.

Art Deco · 02-25-2025, 11:14 AM

We're all-in this season (as we usually are) and after acquiring a top-level young slugger in Jose Pino to upgrade 2B about a month ago we're at it again, making a big move for a 3B while raiding our farm system:

Who is Kevin White, you may ask?

One of the better 3B in the league and a still-young guy under team control for three more years (although they'll start getting expensive as he heads to arbitration in the winter). He's an above-average 3B with the glove and a premier power hitter of course. His current .281 BA is probably a bit high considering his 45 contact rating but he's a massive upgrade over incumbent Carson Williams, who was literally playing at replacement level (0.0 WAR).

As might be expected the price wasn't cheap, and we had to part with Miller, our top prospect and MLB's #56 overall, as well as veteran OF Thomas, our starting LF who was having a decent season (on pace for 2.5 WAR) but wasn't moving the needle that much (and he's a free agent at year's end). And dealing Thomas opens the door for another of our top prospects, 2031 top pick and 22-year old Hector Gurrola who was hitting 305/372/458 at Durham with 6 homers and 20 steals. Gurrola will actually take over CF where he had a 7.1 ZR with the Bulls and Solano will move back to his better position of LF. Meanwhile Williams becomes our utility IF and Josh Jones, who hadn't played in two weeks, is optioned to Durham. The move could also give more ABs to Javy Jasso, who has hit well (286/342/498) in 203 AB this season.

Art Deco · 02-27-2025, 10:23 AM

Game 1: 3-4 L. LP-Buckman (5-2, 4.2 5 4 4 2 7). HR-Y.Alvarez (14). Yordan's 3-run homer in the first got them off to a great start, but the offense did nothing after that and Buckman couldn't hold the lead. Kevin White was 0-3 with a walk in his Rays debut. Speaking of debuts, rookies Gurrola (1-4 with a double) and Jalen Lowe (0-3) played their first MLB game.

Game 2: 6-4 W. WP-Watters (2-2). S-R.Rodriguez (26). HR-K.White (1/32), Hardy (19). White hit his first Rays homer but it was a 3-run rally in the 9th that won this for the Rays with Hardy's 2-run homer the decisive blow. R-Rod walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th but got out of it to pick up the save.

Game 3: 5-4 W. WP-Lennon (9-4, 6 4 2 2 3 5). S-Ogando (5). HR-Haro (14). Rays left 10 on base in this one and should have won more comfortably, but hung on to take the rubber the game.

Team record: 62-41. Yankees also won two of three so we remain 1 1/2 behind them in the division while we have a new pursuer for WC1 as the White Sox got so hot they took the division lead from Detroit so it's the Tigers who are 3 behind us.

Art Deco · 03-01-2025, 12:09 PM

Game 1: 5-3 W. WP-Vargas (5-1). S-R.Rodriguez (27). Starter-Fragoso (4 7 3 3 2 6). HR-Y.Alvarez (15). Haro's RBI double in the 6th broke a 3-3 tie in the Rays' favor as they took the opener from Cleveland. The rookie Gurrola was 2-4 with an RBI triple in his home debut.

Game 2: 6-5 W. WP-Boyle (1-0). Starter-Stone (6 7 5 5 1 5). HR-Pino (8/29), Gurrola (1). Kevin White had his first big moment as a Ray, singling in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th and completing a comeback from down 5-1. Pino's 3-run homer in the 5th got them back in the game and then Gurrola's first MLB dinger in the 7th tied it up. Haro was 4-4 as he stayed red-hot.

Game 3: Too much offense to recap so I'll let the box score do the talking:

Team record: 65-41. The Rays have now won 6 in a row and 10 of their last 11 and finally moved into the first place in the AL East by 1/2 game over the Yankees. Next up: A day off then 3 huge games in the Bronx against those very Yankees.

We didn't do anything additional at the trade deadline after making the major deals for Pino and White and adding Boyle to the bullpen.

And not exactly a surprise here:

Art Deco · 03-03-2025, 02:31 PM

Game 1: 4-5 L. LP-Acosta (3-5, 4.1 4 5 5 2 4). Acosta's recent struggles continued and although they got within one on Hardy's 2-run double they couldn't get any more and fell back into second place.

Game 2: 6-4 W. WP-Lennon (10-4, 6 5 1 1 4 4). S-R.Rodriguez (28). HR-Pino (9/30), Haro (16). The Rays regained first place after jumping out to a 6-0 lead and holding on against New York. Pino got the ball rolling with a 2-run shot in the first and Haro stayed molten lava hot by going 3-4 with a homer and 3 RBI. Interestingly despite scoring 6 runs Rays batters struck out a team-record 20 times. Meanwhile Watters came on in the 9th with the Rays leading 6-1 and made a huge mess requiring R-Rod to save the day.

Transaction: Luis Oviedo comes off the IL and rejoins the rotation with Danny Fragoso returned to Durham.

Game 3: 0-10 L. LP-Oviedo (10-3, 3 5 3 3 2 3). Oviedo gave up a homer to the first man he faced in his first start off the IL (he was only on it for 15 days so no rehab) and it went downhill from there with the pen making it a rout although it didn't matter when the bats could only manage three hits. As a result the Rays are back in second, 1/2 game behind the Yankees.

Team record: 66-43. Next up: Time to head northeast on I-95 and play 3 games in Boston.

Art Deco · 03-06-2025, 11:13 AM

Game 1: 10-12 L. LP-Stone (6-7, 2.1 9 8 8 1 4). HR-K.White (3/34). The final score is a bit misleading as Boston was up 10-0 in this one before the Rays mounted a furious rally to get within 11-10 in the 7th. Rutschman had a bases-clearing double and White was 2-4 with the homer and 2 RBI.

Game 2: 2-3 L (16). LP-Green (1-3). Starter-Buckman (7 4 2 2 2 2). HR-Y.Alvarez (17). A tough one as we exhausted the bullpen and I knew as soon I turned to Green, the last man in the pen, the game would be lost - and it was.

Game 3: 6-4 W. WP-Little (2-2). S-Ogando (6). Starter-Acosta (4.2 7 3 3 1 3). HR-Pino (10/31). Things were looking bleak with the Rays down 4-2 going into the 8th with a burned-out bullpen that led to Acosta staying in a bit longer than he should have. But a 4-run rally keyed by Yordan's bases-clearing double put them ahead in the 8th and Ogando managed to get a 5-out save as they salvaged the finale.

Team record: 67-45. Luckily the Yankees also lost 2 of 3 in Toronto so we remain a mere 1/2 game behind them and are up 4 on Detroit for WC1. Next up: A day off then back home for 3 against Houston.

Art Deco · 03-09-2025, 08:47 AM

Game 1: 1-4 L. LP-Lennon (10-5, 5 4 3 3 1 10). Rays pitching totaled 19 strikeouts of Houston batters but it didn't matter because the offense did little and Lennon gave up a 3-run homer in the first.

Game 2: 3-0 W. WP-Little (3-2). S-R.Rodriguez (29). Starter-Oviedo (2.2 3 0 0 1 5). HR-Pino (11/32), Y.Alvarez (18). Five Rays pitching combined on a six-hit shutout including 3 1/3 scoreless from Little after Oviedo had to leave in the 3rd with what turned out to be a torn flexor tendon, so his season is over. Pino was 2-3 with a double, homer and 2 RBI while Yordan was 3-3 with his homer for the day's offense.

Transaction: Oviedo goes on the 60-day IL and Danny Fragoso is recalled once again from Durham to take his place in the rotation. Oviedo ends his season 10-3, 2.73 with 93 whiffs in 89 IP and will be missed.

Game 3: 4-3 W. WP-Buckman (7-2, 5.1 2 0 0 4 5). S-R.Rodriguez (30). HR-Y.Alvarez (19). Another big game from Yordan (3-4 with a homer and RBI single) as they built a 4-0 lead then barely held on with R-Rod striking out the side in the 9th after Luis Gonzalez gave up a solo homer to lead off the inning.

Team record: 69-46. The Yankees also took 2 of 3 so we remain 1/2 game behind them but now 6 ahead of Detroit for WC1. Next up: 52-63 Colorado comes to town for 3 games.

Art Deco · 03-11-2025, 12:01 AM

Game 1: 7-5 W. WP-Boyle (2-0). S-Ogando (7). Starter-Stone (5.1 7 5 5 1 7). HR-K.White (4/35), Hardy (21). Hardy's 2-run homer in the 6th capped a 3-run rally and put them up for good at 6-5 while Solano delivered a couple of RBI doubles. The Rays overcame Stone's third straight lousy start and fourth in his last five.

Game 2: I'll let the box score do most of the talking as this was a historic night:

In this rout which saw the Rays score in all but one inning they did something I've not seen in any of my saves (at least that I recall) and perhaps something never done in MLB history: have teammates hit 3 homers in the same game. Yordan and Haro both did it today as part of an 8-homer attack and overshadowing great games from Cedillo (4-5 with a HR and 3 RBI) and Acosta (7 strong innings including 12 Ks, his best start in the last several).

Game 3: 5-3 W. WP-Ogando (2-4). S-R.Rodriguez (31). Starter-Fragoso (5.2 7 3 3 0 5). HR-K.White (5/36), Y.Alvarez (23). C.Williams' pinch-hit RBI single in the 8th was the winning hit as the Rays completed the sweep with yet another homer from Yordan.

Team record: 72-46. The Yankees lost one of their three games enabling the Rays to move back into first by 1/2 game. Next up: A day off to travel to Toronto where we'll play 3 at Rogers Centre.

The league took note of Yordan:

Also some milestones around the league as Yunior Severino and Daulton Varsho each hit career homer #300 and former Ray Ozzie Albies banged out his 2000th hit.

Art Deco · 03-13-2025, 05:22 PM

Game 1: 5-1 W. WP-Lennon (11-5, 6.1 4 0 0 1 8). Lennon was brilliant and Haro drove in 3 with a pair of singles as the Rays made it 6 straight wins by taking the opener in Toronto.

Game 2: 15-7 W. WP-Buckman (8-2, 6 7 3 3 1 5). HR-Hardy 2 (23), Solano (9). Massive games from Hardy and Solano with both driving 5 on 3 hits, 2 of which were homers for Hardy while Solano counted a double and a homer among his. With a massive lead the hapless Watters and Green gave up 4 runs in the last couple innings to make it a football score.

Game 3: 10-5 W. WP-Little (4-2). Starter-Stone (5 4 2 2 1 9). HR-Pino (13/34). The Rays completed the sweep and extended their win streak to 8, but it took an 8-run rally in the 9th to overturn a 5-2 Toronto lead. There was no one big hit in the rally as 7 different players drove in runs, two of which early in the inning were on bases-loaded walks, the ultimate death by a thousand cuts. Pino's 2-run homer gave them their early runs.

Team record: 75-46. The Yankees lost one of their games so the division lead is up to 1 1/2. Next up: The road trip continues in Philly, who are a pretty good 68-53.

Art Deco · 03-16-2025, 08:11 PM

Game 1: 7-9 L. LP-Stevenson (7-3). Starter-Acosta (3.1 7 5 5 0 1). HR-Lowe (1), Hardy (24), Pino (14/35). A strange game as the Rays answered a 4-spot in the 1st from Philly with a 7-run 2nd on three homers, only for the offense to dry up after that and the Phillies to come back and win.

Game 2: 10-1 W. WP-Fragoso (4-4, 5.2 6 1 1 1 3). HR-K.White 2 (7/38), Hardy (25), Solano (10). Rays coasted to this one with White's biggest game as a Ray, homering twice and knocking in five.

Game 3: 5-8 L. LP-Little (4-3). Starter-Lennon (4.2 9 3 3 2 3). HR-Pino 2 (16/37), Hardy (26). An early 3-0 Rays lead was eroded with Little giving up a grand slam in the 6th to Philly rookie sensation Julio Arriaga to lose it. Arriaga was 5-5 with 2 HR and 6 RBI on the day and is hitting 303/357/644 with 31 HR. He outshone Pino, who hit a pair of 2-run homers while Hardy homered for the third straight day against his original team.

Team record: 76-48. The Yankees also lost 2 of 3 over the weekend but won their game Monday while the Rays were off to pull within a game. Next up: 3 in Houston after that off-day against a sorry 42-82 Astros team, the worst in baseball.

Some league love for Hardy:

MLB News: San Diego veteran superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. had a 4-homer game against Arizona, driving in 6 runs.

Art Deco · 03-18-2025, 03:50 PM

Game 1: 11-10 W. WP-Buckman (9-2, 5.1 8 5 5 1 5). S-R.Rodriguez (32). HR-Pino (17/38), Y.Alvarez (24). A wild one that saw Buckman put the Rays in a 5-0 hole after 1 only for his mates to put 9 on the board in the 4th (including a 465-foot, 3-run shot from Pino) before nearly blowing an 11-5 lead. Tampa Bay was the beneficiary of 11 walks issued by Houston pitching.

Game 2: 4-3 W. WP-Vargas (6-1). S-R.Rodriguez (33). Starter-Stone (4.2 6 3 3 2 3). HR-Y.Alvarez (25), Rutschman (19). Yordan had a 3-run homer as he stayed blazing hot and Rutschman's 6th-inning clout broke a 3-3 tie.

Game 3: 2-6 L. LP-Boyle (2-1). Starter-Acosta (4.2 3 2 2 3 3). HR-Cedillos (7). It was a 2-2 game in the 8th and one the Rays should have been leading having left 12 on base before Boyle loaded the bases and Ogando came in and gave up a grand slam to lose it.

Team record: 78-49. The lead on the Yankees stands at 1 1/2 games. Next up: Off to St. Louis for 3 against the 72-55 and NL Central-leading Cardinals.

Art Deco · 03-20-2025, 09:54 PM

Game 1: 4-0 W. WP-Fragoso (5-4, 7 2 0 0 4 4). HR-K.White (8/39). The 23-year-old Cuban rookie had his best MLB start and Solano had a key 2-run single in a 3-run 6th that opened things up for the Rays.

Game 2: 5-0 W. WP-Lennon (12-5, 6.1 6 0 0 1 5). S-R.Rodriguez (34). Another shutout for Tampa Bay pitching headed by Lennon and finished by R-Rod, who got the final out after Stevenson loaded the bases in the 9th. A 3-run 4th was key thanks to consecutive 2-out RBI singles from Hardy, Yordan and Haro.

Game 3: 3-1 W. WP-Buckman (10-2, 5 7 1 1 2 4). S-R.Rodriguez (35). HR-Y.Alvarez (26), Rutschman (20). The Rays completed the sweep with another well-pitched game, allowing only one run in the three-game set. Buckman was in trouble during most of his time on the mound but the bullpen was incredible, putting up a combined 4 1 0 0 0 10 line that included a 4-strikeout 8th from Boyle after a passed ball on strike 3. Back-to-back jacks from Yordan and Rutschman in the 4th erased a 1-0 Cardinals lead and the staff made them stand up.

Team record: 81-49. The Yankees lost their series finale so the lead is up to 2 1/2 games. Next up: A massive 4-game set at home against those very New Yorkers. Unfortunately Rutschman is going to miss the series with back spasms which came on later in the final game.

Art Deco · 03-23-2025, 04:27 PM

Game 1: 2-4 L. LP-L.Gonzalez (2-2). Starter-Stone (5.2 1 0 0 4 6). Rays led 2-0 after 6 in this one before New York got 3 off the Rays bullpen and added a 4th in the 9th, not that the bats did much either.

Game 2: 8-4 W. WP-Acosta (5-5, 6 5 2 2 0 7). HR-K.White (9/40), Haro (20). Rays led this one 8-0 after 3 with 2-run homers from White and Haro the big blows. Acosta meanwhile pitched his best game in a while.

Game 3: 4-3 W. WP-R.Rodriguez (4-2). Starter-Fragoso (4.1 5 2 2 2 2). HR-K.White (10/41). White to the rescue as after his homer gave the Rays a 3-2 lead in the 7th which R-Rod blew in the 9th, he delivered an RBI double in the bottom of the 9th to walk it off. It was a costly win for the Rays though as Haro broke a thumb and will be out 6 weeks - his big bat will be missed.

Transactions: Haro goes on the IL and could be back for the ALCS if we make it that far. Evan Bell, who filled in admirably for an injured Yordan earlier this season, gets the call and will play 1B against RHP with Kevin White moving to 1B against LHP and Carson Williams taking over at 3B. Also it was time for September roster expansion so IF Josh Jones and rookie P Alex Salazar are called up. Salazar was an 8th-round pick in 2028 who worked his way up and had a 3.71 ERA in 111 IP with Durham as a starter but will pitch in relief.

Game 4: 7-8 L. LP-R.Rodriguez (4-3). Starter-Lennon (6 6 3 3 2 8). HR-Y.Alvarez (27), K.White (11/42), Gurrola (2). This one hurt. Up 5-1 after 6 and 7-3 after 7, the bullpen struggled yet again in this series with Ogando giving up 2 in the 8th and R-Rod imploding in the 9th, giving up a homer then a 2-run double with 2 out to lose it, wasting a trio of 2-run homers from the guys listed above. As a result the Rays blew a chance to go 4 1/2 up on New York and instead stay at 2 1/2 ahead, where they came into the series and with 4 days off the calendar, but it could have been much more.

Team record: 83-51. Next up: A trip to Texas for 3 games.

02-10-2025, 01:44 PM	#921
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	July 1-3, 2033: at Chicago Cubs (3) Game 1: 11-5 W. WP-Stevenson (5-0). Starter-Lennon (4.1 10 5 5 0 6). HR-Y.Alvarez (10), Hardy (14). It was a back-and-forth affair until the Rays went forth in the 7th and broke a 5-5 tie and the Cubs didn't come back. Hardy's 3-run homer was the winner and he, Yordan and Pino had 3-RBI days to lead the onslaught. Game 2: 2-3 L. LP-Watters (1-2). Starter-Acosta (6 3 1 1 1 3). HR-Pino (3/24). Short of RH bullpen options I went to Watters in a 2-2 game in the 7th and it was a mistake as he gave up the winning run, continuing his terrible season and wasting a brilliant return from the IL by Acosta. Game 3: 9-3 W. WP-Stone (6-5, 5 4 3 3 3 7). HR-Rutschman 2 (16), Hardy (15), Pino (4/25). Massive games from Rutschman (3-5 with a double, 2 HR, 3 RBI) and Pino (3-4, walk, homer, 3 RBI) led the Rays to a series win over Chicago. Team record: 50-33. And the Rays continue to creep closer to the Yankees, who dropped 2 of 3 over the weekend and now only lead the division by 1 1/2 games. Next up: Off to Fenway for 4 against Boston.

02-13-2025, 04:33 PM	#922
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	July 4-7, 2033: vs Boston (3) Game 1: 9-3 W. WP-Oviedo (9-2, 5 7 0 0 2 4). HR-C.Williams (8). Rays scored in 6 of the 9 innings as they romped against the Red Sox. The bottom of the order did the damage with Williams 2-3 with 3 runs scored, the homer and 2 RBI, Cedillos with a double, triple and 3 RBI and backup C Arrambide 3-5 with 2 RBI. Game 2: 5-6 L. LP-Stevenson (5-1). Starter-Fragoso (4.1 6 5 5 2 4). Rays fought back from 5-1 down to tie it only to see Stevenson give up the winner in the 7th. Haro had a 2-run double and Hardy was 3-5 with a ribbie. Game 3: 1-4 L. LP-Lennon (7-4, 5 6 4 4 1 5). The bats were quiet today with only 5 hits as the Rays lost again. July 7: Activated P Benjamin Buckman from the 15-day IL and DFA'd P Eric Orze. Buckman will return to the rotation, replacing Fragoso who's struggled in his last three start and will take over the long relief/mop-up role. Game 4: 3-8 L. LP-Acosta (2-4, 5 6 4 4 0 3). A rough series in Beantown concluded the Rays' worst loss of the 3, although Haro was 5-5 with 3 doubles and an RBI. New pickup Pino had a rough game, 0-4 with 5 LOB and his error led to four unearned runs which turned a 4-3 game into an 8-3 one. Team record: 51-36. The three losses, combined the Yankees taking 3 of 4, push the Rays to 3 1/2 back in the division. Also their hold on WC1 is more tenuous as the White Sox have pulled to within two there. Next up: 3 games in Milwaukee before we hit the All-Star break.

02-16-2025, 01:10 PM	#923
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	July 8-10, 2033: at Milwaukee (3) Game 1: 6-4 W. WP-Stevenson (6-1). S-R.Rodriguez (20). Starter-Buckman (4 3 3 3 3 3, 3 HR). HR-Hardy (16), Haro (9). Buckman gave up 3 solo homers in the 4th to put the Rays in a 3-0 hole but they came right back with 3 in the 5th and went on to win. Hardy was 2-3 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Game 2: 3-5 L (10). LP-Green (1-2). Starter-Stone (6 6 2 2 1 8). HR-Y.Alvarez (11). Rays came back twice to tie including Yordan's solo homer in the 8th but the execrable Max Green gave up a 2-run homer in the 10th to lose it. Signed for $13.3M this offseason to give us a lefty weapon in the pen we've instead been shooting ourselves with him as he's allowed 8 homers in only 26 IP and "boasts" a 6.57 ERA. Game 3: 5-2 W. WP-Oviedo (10-2, 5.1 6 2 2 1 3). S-R.Rodriguez (21). HR-Pino (5/26), Rutschman (17). Rays took the rubber game behind another strong performance from Oviedo and Rutschman's 2-run homer in the 6th which broke a 2-2 tie and sent them to victory. Team record: 53-37. We did regain a game on the Yankees to pull within 2 1/2 but the White Sox remain hot on our heels for WC1, only 2 back. Next up: The All-Star break and the Amateur Draft, and when we return to action it'll be for four at home against Toronto starting Thursday.

02-18-2025, 10:05 AM	#924
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	All-Star Break 2033 The Players: Half of the season has been played and now it's time for the All-Star game! It's a game where the fans will get to see their favorite players compete on the same field together, a game where the players themselves become fans and all of baseball comes together to celebrate one of the great traditions of the game -- the Major League Baseball All-Star game. The American League and the National League will come together today to decide the title of the best league for this season. Here are the talented stars on the American League roster: SP Jonathan Edwards (BOS) - 8-2, 3.41 ERA, 95.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 11.1 K/9, 2.9 WAR SP Ignacio Gonzales (NYY) - 9-5, 3.83 ERA, 124.2 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 9.2 K/9, 3.7 WAR SP Wyatt Hudepohl (SEA)* - 7-5, 2.53 ERA, 114.0 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 2.8 WAR SP Edwin Montoya (CLE) - 10-3, 2.11 ERA, 98.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 2.6 WAR SP Dakota Stone (TB) - 6-5, 3.08 ERA, 108.0 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, 3.3 WAR SP Juan Tello (MIN) - 6-1, 2.49 ERA, 79.2 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 1.1 WAR SP Jose Virgen (KC) - 6-3, 2.62 ERA, 110.0 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 2.2 WAR RP Luis Cuevas (LAA) - 1-2, 1.96 ERA, 36.2 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 11.5 K/9, 0.9 WAR RP Andrew Perez (OAK) - 2-3, 3.28 ERA, 49.1 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, -0.3 WAR RP Randy Rodriguez (TB) - 2-2, 20 SV, 2.00 ERA, 36.0 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 14.2 K/9, 1.9 WAR RP Angel Vargas (TB) - 3-1, 2.02 ERA, 49.0 IP, 1.45 WHIP, 11.6 K/9, 1.8 WAR CL Max Meyer (NYY)* - 2-0, 13 SV, 1.17 ERA, 38.1 IP, 0.86 WHIP, 13.4 K/9, 1.7 WAR CL Jesus Romillo (DET) - 3-4, 28 SV, 2.16 ERA, 50.0 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 0.7 WAR C Gabriel Moreno (TOR) - .279/.361/.511, 219 AB, 12 HR, 138 wRC+, 1.7 WAR *C Adley Rutschman (TB) - .256/.353/.473, 262 AB, 16 HR, 126 wRC+, 2.8 WAR** C Tyler Stephenson (CWS) - .265/.348/.376, 245 AB, 5 HR, 3 SB, 103 wRC+, 1.7 WAR 1B Nick Camacho (BAL) - .281/.339/.478, 270 AB, 13 HR, 6 SB, 122 wRC+, 1.3 WAR 1B Dave Gomez (CWS) - .319/.384/.615, 213 AB, 17 HR, 175 wRC+, 2.7 WAR 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)* - .252/.367/.438, 322 AB, 17 HR, 1 SB, 123 wRC+, 1.9 WAR *2B Jose Pino (TB) - .296/.384/.583, 324 AB, 25 HR, 165 wRC+, 3.5 WAR** 3B Juan Dobbs (DET) - .308/.356/.491, 334 AB, 7 HR, 7 SB, 128 wRC+, 2.9 WAR 3B Wander Franco (BOS) - .349/.401/.627, 338 AB, 21 HR, 1 SB, 180 wRC+, 5.4 WAR 3B Justin Sill (CWS)* - .299/.350/.624, 348 AB, 32 HR, 162 wRC+, 2.8 WAR 3B Wilfred Veras (CWS)* - .304/.388/.618, 322 AB, 29 HR, 1 SB, 174 wRC+, 4.1 WAR 3B Kevin White (CLE) - .292/.369/.602, 322 AB, 28 HR, 1 SB, 163 wRC+, 4.1 WAR SS Antonio Anderson (CWS) - .259/.321/.491, 316 AB, 14 HR, 5 SB, 121 wRC+, 3.9 WAR SS Carlos Correa (NYY)* - .255/.340/.380, 271 AB, 8 HR, 5 SB, 100 wRC+, 2.1 WAR LF Dave Aleman (DET)* - .298/.377/.544, 329 AB, 18 HR, 21 SB, 147 wRC+, 3.6 WAR LF Alex Kirilloff (BOS) - .298/.359/.548, 305 AB, 19 HR, 3 SB, 146 wRC+, 2.5 WAR LF Luis Morales (MIN) - .301/.381/.543, 322 AB, 18 HR, 152 wRC+, 2.3 WAR LF Junior Perez (LAA) - .237/.331/.602, 304 AB, 34 HR, 1 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.4 WAR LF Orlando Reyna (SEA) - .317/.370/.540, 252 AB, 15 HR, 1 SB, 144 wRC+, 2.6 WAR CF Julio Rodriguez (SEA)* - .291/.377/.514, 247 AB, 12 HR, 6 SB, 146 wRC+, 3.1 WAR RF Kyle Tucker (NYY) - .284/.359/.466, 324 AB, 12 HR, 7 SB, 126 wRC+, 2.8 WAR* And these are the gifted players for the National League: SP Robert Ahlstrom (NYM)* - 8-5, 2.32 ERA, 128.0 IP, 0.94 WHIP, 11.2 K/9, 4.1 WAR SP Edwin Barreto (ATL) - 7-7, 2.93 ERA, 107.2 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 14.3 K/9, 3.6 WAR SP Parker Detmers (WSH) - 8-3, 4.09 ERA, 94.2 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 14.0 K/9, 2.7 WAR SP Jayden McClarin (NYM) - 8-6, 2.67 ERA, 118.0 IP, 0.88 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, 3.8 WAR SP Luis Patiño (LAD) - 7-7, 4.03 ERA, 96.0 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 1.6 WAR SP Juan Sandoval (NYM) - 10-4, 2.61 ERA, 110.1 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 10.8 K/9, 3.7 WAR SP Isaiah White (MIL) - 5-5, 3.51 ERA, 105.0 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 13.7 K/9, 1.7 WAR SP Jose Wicks (SD) - 6-5, 2.45 ERA, 110.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 2.0 WAR RP Gerardo Carrillo (PHI) - 2-1, 8 SV, 2.02 ERA, 49.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, 0.6 WAR RP Jack Leiter (MIL) - 2-2, 3.15 ERA, 60.0 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 1.1 WAR RP Frank Mozzicato (ARI) - 7-5, 2.18 ERA, 62.0 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, 1.1 WAR RP Jared Szabo (MIA) - 1-1, 1.91 ERA, 56.2 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 0.6 WAR CL Omar Cabrera (SA) - 2-6, 21 SV, 3.92 ERA, 39.0 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, 1.3 WAR CL Landon Sims (CHC) - 3-5, 20 SV, 5.89 ERA, 36.2 IP, 1.72 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 0.5 WAR C Francisco Alvarez (NYM) - .220/.305/.404, 245 AB, 12 HR, 97 wRC+, 1.6 WAR C Edgar Quero (CIN) - .252/.317/.437, 238 AB, 9 HR, 1 SB, 103 wRC+, 1.3 WAR C Ernesto Ruiz (SA)* - .249/.364/.522, 245 AB, 17 HR, 144 wRC+, 2.5 WAR 1B Vinny Garza (WSH)* - .287/.334/.554, 341 AB, 23 HR, 136 wRC+, 2.3 WAR (Injured) 1B Jacob Gonzalez (ARI) - .305/.359/.548, 341 AB, 22 HR, 7 SB, 138 wRC+, 2.6 WAR 1B Mario Guevara (SF) - .331/.362/.480, 296 AB, 2 HR, 33 SB, 132 wRC+, 1.7 WAR 1B Angel Reinas (LAD)* - .262/.329/.586, 336 AB, 30 HR, 1 SB, 142 wRC+, 2.6 WAR 1B Jamel White (STL)* - .340/.367/.543, 350 AB, 14 HR, 1 SB, 150 wRC+, 2.5 WAR 2B Brian Greer (ARI) - .311/.345/.475, 318 AB, 7 HR, 1 SB, 124 wRC+, 2.3 WAR 2B Sergio Somarriba (ATL)* - .290/.382/.563, 252 AB, 15 HR, 8 SB, 157 wRC+, 3.0 WAR (Injured) 3B Luis Garcia (WSH)* - .317/.374/.516, 322 AB, 12 HR, 3 SB, 141 wRC+, 3.1 WAR 3B Bill Hairston (WSH) - .300/.376/.576, 323 AB, 22 HR, 7 SB, 156 wRC+, 3.4 WAR 3B Nobuo Tasaka (NYM) - .284/.343/.485, 328 AB, 15 HR, 3 SB, 129 wRC+, 2.6 WAR 3B Bobby Witt Jr. (PHI) - .268/.344/.458, 321 AB, 17 HR, 12 SB, 118 wRC+, 3.0 WAR SS Eric Bitonti (PHI) - .301/.346/.517, 319 AB, 17 HR, 134 wRC+, 2.8 WAR SS Hector Juarez (WSH)* - .357/.402/.656, 311 AB, 22 HR, 3 SB, 185 wRC+, 4.8 WAR LF Julio Arriaga (PHI) - .314/.355/.681, 204 AB, 22 HR, 2 SB, 180 wRC+, 2.4 WAR LF Manny Becerra (COL)* - .365/.422/.506, 348 AB, 2 HR, 41 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.9 WAR LF Yohendrick Pinango (ATL) - .339/.395/.563, 295 AB, 11 HR, 3 SB, 161 wRC+, 2.7 WAR CF Angelo Davila (COL) - .315/.384/.547, 232 AB, 10 HR, 6 SB, 148 wRC+, 2.4 WAR CF Riley Greene (CHC) - .264/.330/.504, 242 AB, 12 HR, 125 wRC+, 1.1 WAR (Injured)* RF Omar Delgado (CIN) - .292/.362/.577, 319 AB, 26 HR, 1 SB, 155 wRC+, 3.1 WAR RF Dave Rivera (MIL) - .260/.343/.558, 312 AB, 26 HR, 1 SB, 145 wRC+, 2.0 WAR (former Rays in italics - Tucker was a one-year rental in 2025 and Greene a half-season rental in 2028) We sent a decent contingent of five to the game. Starter Stone makes his 4th appearance and first as a Ray, R-Rod goes for the second straight time and Vargas makes a surprise first appearance. Rutschman of course is a fixture - this marks the 11th straight year he's been an All-Star, selected in every season during his career except for his rookie campaign, and new acquisition Pino makes it for the third straight year. The Derby: Pino was selected for this competition. And he won! This is the first (or maybe the second) time I can remember a Ray winning this competition, and Pino did it in style, hitting a contest-best 28 homers in the final round. The Game: It was a rough night for the AL and for the Rays contingent as pitchers Vargas and Stone both gave up runs with Stone surrendering a 2-run homer to Bobby Witt Jr. R-Rod didn't pitch. On the batting side at least Pino doubled and scored one of the two AL runs while Rutschman took the collar in 2 at-bats.

02-18-2025, 10:25 AM	#925
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	The 2033 Amateur Draft Arroyo: A college SS from San Diego State, he should stick at the position (55 potential) and has a healthy bat (potential for 70 contact, 55 power and 55 eye). Torrez: High-school OF from Colorado with massive hitting potential (70/70), but despite being listed as a CF will end up in a corner. Davalos: Arkansas high-schooler who might be iffy at 3B and have to move to the OF but if the bat lives up to billing it won't matter (60 contact, 65 power, 80(!) eye - and 65 avoid Ks). Marinez: High-school lefty from Mississippi who could have 65 stuff and movement but the catch is a 45 ceiling on his control. Ohler: A bat-first high-school catcher from that baseball hotbed of Prince Edward Island, Canada. 70/60 contact/power potential but will likely end up a DH with 35 potential behind the plate.

02-20-2025, 03:29 PM	#926
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	July 14-17, 2033: vs Toronto (4) Game 1: 6-5 W. WP-Stevenson (7-1). S-R.Rodriguez (22). Starter-Buckman (3 8 4 4 1 3). HR-Y.Alvarez (12). Yordan doubled, homered and drove in a pair while Solano knocked in a pair as well to lead the Rays to a win in their first game back since the break. Game 2: 6-9 L. LP-Ogando (1-4). Starter-Acosta (4.2 3 3 3 2 7). HR-Solano (6), Haro (10). Rays took a 6-4 lead into the 9th only for Ogando to load the bases with nobody out and give up a grand slam, followed by a solo homer, wasting a big game from Solano who doubled twice, homered and drove in 3 runs. Game 3: 3-1 W. WP-Lennon (8-4, 6.1 4 1 1 2 7). S-R.Rodriguez (23). An outstanding game from Lennon preserved by a 2-inning save from R-Rod as the bullpen options were thin. It should have been a more comfortable victory but they left 10 on, including 7 from Rutschman who was 0-4. We made a trade to beef up the pen: Boyle was Boston's closer and had 19 saves but also sported a rough 5.81 ERA in large part due to 22 walks in 31 IP and a .397 BABIP against. He's rated 80/65/45 and has been better in the recent past so he'll give us another option in the pen when Ogando and/or R-Rod aren't ready to close or set up. Sanchez was a marginal relief prospect at Durham while Boyle is a rental. David Fragoso was optioned to the Bulls to make room. Game 4: 4-5 L. LP-Stevenson (7-2). Starter-Oviedo (3.2 6 3 3 0 5). HR-Cedillos (4). Another painful loss, this time as they loaded the bases in the bottom of the 9th with nobody out and down by a run, only to have Haro whiff, Pino pop up and Yordan strike out to end the game, capping a day in which he was 0-5 with 7 LOB. Oviedo had to leave with a sprained ankle so Fragoso will be back up to take his rotation place for a couple of weeks. Team record: 55-39. Our position worsened after the split, falling 3 1/2 behind the Yankees in the division and seeing our WC1 lead down to 1/2 game over the White Sox. Next up: A day off then Kansas City visits for 3.

02-22-2025, 05:25 PM	#927
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	July 19-21, 2033: vs Kansas City (3) Game 1: 5-10 L. LP-Stone (6-6, 4 8 6 6 4 4). HR-Pino (6/27), Hardy (17). It looked early like the Rays' day when Pino homered to put them up 3-0 after 3 but the Royals responded with 5 off Stone in the 4th and piled on from there. Game 2: 9-3 W. WP-Buckman (5-1, 6.1 4 0 0 1 10). HR-Haro 2 (12), Hardy (18), Pino (7/28), Solano (7). Plenty of stellar performances to go around starting with Buckman's best outing as a big-leaguer and Haro's 2-homer, 3-RBI day. Pino added a 2-run shot as the Rays rolled. Game 3: 3-2 W. WP-Acosta (3-4, 6 3 2 2 2 7). S-R.Rodriguez (24). HR-Solano (8). The Rays had only two hits in the game and both teams combined for a mere six but Solano's was the biggest, a 3-run homer in the 5th which provided all the offense Tampa Bay would need. Team record: 57-40. Unfortunately the Yankees swept, putting them 4 1/2 up on the Rays in the division and so did the White Sox, moving them into a tie for WC1. Next up: The Rays will have a chance to do something about that division deficit as New York visits for 3 games.

02-25-2025, 11:01 AM	#928
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	July 22-24, 2033: vs NY Yankees (3) Transaction: We decided to upgrade the backup catcher position, optioning Cade Arrambide to Durham and recalling Jalen Lowe, our 2nd-round pick in 2028 who was having a nice season (264/311/426) with 8 homers for the Bulls and boasts 50 contact/55 power/55 defense ratings. Game 1: 7-6 W. WP-Vargas (4-1). S-R.Rodriguez (25). Starter-Lennon (4 9 6 6 1 2). HR-Y.Alvarez (13), Haro (13). What a game. The Yankees led 3-0 after 1 and 6-3 into the 6th before the Rays mounted an inspiring comeback. After getting it back to 6-5, Haro belted a 2-run homer off a lefty in the bottom of the 8th to give Tampa Bay the critical win. Yordan was 3-4 with his 2-run homer as well. Game 2: 7-4 W. WP-Fragoso (3-4, 6 4 3 3 1 5). S-Ogando (4). HR-Rutschman (18). Another big win for the Rays as they raced out to a 7-0 lead behind Rutschman's 3-run homer and fine pitching from Fragoso in his return to the rotation. He loaded the bases with nobody out in the 7th before giving way to Stevenson, who gave up a grand slam to let NY back in it but the pen held from there. Game 3: 5-4 W. WP-R.Rodriguez (3-2). Starter-Stone (6 3 1 1 2 9). HR-Cedillos (5). The Rays completed the sweep of the Yankees in thrilling fashion when Cedillos' walk-off homer with 2 out in the 9th broke a 4-4 tie and moved Tampa Bay to within 1 1/2 of New York in the division and 2 ahead of the White Sox for WC1. Stone was brilliant and Yordan was 2-4 with a pair of RBI doubles to give them a 4-1 lead but Vargas blew it in the 7th before Cedillos bailed him out. Team record: 60-40. Next up: 3 games in Minnesota.

02-25-2025, 11:14 AM	#929
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	Another major trade. We're all-in this season (as we usually are) and after acquiring a top-level young slugger in Jose Pino to upgrade 2B about a month ago we're at it again, making a big move for a 3B while raiding our farm system: Who is Kevin White, you may ask? One of the better 3B in the league and a still-young guy under team control for three more years (although they'll start getting expensive as he heads to arbitration in the winter). He's an above-average 3B with the glove and a premier power hitter of course. His current .281 BA is probably a bit high considering his 45 contact rating but he's a massive upgrade over incumbent Carson Williams, who was literally playing at replacement level (0.0 WAR). As might be expected the price wasn't cheap, and we had to part with Miller, our top prospect and MLB's #56 overall, as well as veteran OF Thomas, our starting LF who was having a decent season (on pace for 2.5 WAR) but wasn't moving the needle that much (and he's a free agent at year's end). And dealing Thomas opens the door for another of our top prospects, 2031 top pick and 22-year old Hector Gurrola who was hitting 305/372/458 at Durham with 6 homers and 20 steals. Gurrola will actually take over CF where he had a 7.1 ZR with the Bulls and Solano will move back to his better position of LF. Meanwhile Williams becomes our utility IF and Josh Jones, who hadn't played in two weeks, is optioned to Durham. The move could also give more ABs to Javy Jasso, who has hit well (286/342/498) in 203 AB this season.

02-27-2025, 10:23 AM	#930
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	July 25-27, 2033: at Minnesota (3) Game 1: 3-4 L. LP-Buckman (5-2, 4.2 5 4 4 2 7). HR-Y.Alvarez (14). Yordan's 3-run homer in the first got them off to a great start, but the offense did nothing after that and Buckman couldn't hold the lead. Kevin White was 0-3 with a walk in his Rays debut. Speaking of debuts, rookies Gurrola (1-4 with a double) and Jalen Lowe (0-3) played their first MLB game. Game 2: 6-4 W. WP-Watters (2-2). S-R.Rodriguez (26). HR-K.White (1/32), Hardy (19). White hit his first Rays homer but it was a 3-run rally in the 9th that won this for the Rays with Hardy's 2-run homer the decisive blow. R-Rod walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th but got out of it to pick up the save. Game 3: 5-4 W. WP-Lennon (9-4, 6 4 2 2 3 5). S-Ogando (5). HR-Haro (14). Rays left 10 on base in this one and should have won more comfortably, but hung on to take the rubber the game. Team record: 62-41. Yankees also won two of three so we remain 1 1/2 behind them in the division while we have a new pursuer for WC1 as the White Sox got so hot they took the division lead from Detroit so it's the Tigers who are 3 behind us.

03-01-2025, 12:09 PM	#931
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	July 29-31, 2033: vs Cleveland (3) Game 1: 5-3 W. WP-Vargas (5-1). S-R.Rodriguez (27). Starter-Fragoso (4 7 3 3 2 6). HR-Y.Alvarez (15). Haro's RBI double in the 6th broke a 3-3 tie in the Rays' favor as they took the opener from Cleveland. The rookie Gurrola was 2-4 with an RBI triple in his home debut. Game 2: 6-5 W. WP-Boyle (1-0). Starter-Stone (6 7 5 5 1 5). HR-Pino (8/29), Gurrola (1). Kevin White had his first big moment as a Ray, singling in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th and completing a comeback from down 5-1. Pino's 3-run homer in the 5th got them back in the game and then Gurrola's first MLB dinger in the 7th tied it up. Haro was 4-4 as he stayed red-hot. Game 3: Too much offense to recap so I'll let the box score do the talking: Team record: 65-41. The Rays have now won 6 in a row and 10 of their last 11 and finally moved into the first place in the AL East by 1/2 game over the Yankees. Next up: A day off then 3 huge games in the Bronx against those very Yankees. We didn't do anything additional at the trade deadline after making the major deals for Pino and White and adding Boyle to the bullpen. And not exactly a surprise here: Last edited by Art Deco; 03-01-2025 at 12:10 PM.

03-03-2025, 02:31 PM	#932
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	August 2-4, 2033: at NY Yankees (3) Game 1: 4-5 L. LP-Acosta (3-5, 4.1 4 5 5 2 4). Acosta's recent struggles continued and although they got within one on Hardy's 2-run double they couldn't get any more and fell back into second place. Game 2: 6-4 W. WP-Lennon (10-4, 6 5 1 1 4 4). S-R.Rodriguez (28). HR-Pino (9/30), Haro (16). The Rays regained first place after jumping out to a 6-0 lead and holding on against New York. Pino got the ball rolling with a 2-run shot in the first and Haro stayed molten lava hot by going 3-4 with a homer and 3 RBI. Interestingly despite scoring 6 runs Rays batters struck out a team-record 20 times. Meanwhile Watters came on in the 9th with the Rays leading 6-1 and made a huge mess requiring R-Rod to save the day. Transaction: Luis Oviedo comes off the IL and rejoins the rotation with Danny Fragoso returned to Durham. Game 3: 0-10 L. LP-Oviedo (10-3, 3 5 3 3 2 3). Oviedo gave up a homer to the first man he faced in his first start off the IL (he was only on it for 15 days so no rehab) and it went downhill from there with the pen making it a rout although it didn't matter when the bats could only manage three hits. As a result the Rays are back in second, 1/2 game behind the Yankees. Team record: 66-43. Next up: Time to head northeast on I-95 and play 3 games in Boston.

03-06-2025, 11:13 AM	#933
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	August 5-7, 2033: at Boston (3) Game 1: 10-12 L. LP-Stone (6-7, 2.1 9 8 8 1 4). HR-K.White (3/34). The final score is a bit misleading as Boston was up 10-0 in this one before the Rays mounted a furious rally to get within 11-10 in the 7th. Rutschman had a bases-clearing double and White was 2-4 with the homer and 2 RBI. Game 2: 2-3 L (16). LP-Green (1-3). Starter-Buckman (7 4 2 2 2 2). HR-Y.Alvarez (17). A tough one as we exhausted the bullpen and I knew as soon I turned to Green, the last man in the pen, the game would be lost - and it was. Game 3: 6-4 W. WP-Little (2-2). S-Ogando (6). Starter-Acosta (4.2 7 3 3 1 3). HR-Pino (10/31). Things were looking bleak with the Rays down 4-2 going into the 8th with a burned-out bullpen that led to Acosta staying in a bit longer than he should have. But a 4-run rally keyed by Yordan's bases-clearing double put them ahead in the 8th and Ogando managed to get a 5-out save as they salvaged the finale. Team record: 67-45. Luckily the Yankees also lost 2 of 3 in Toronto so we remain a mere 1/2 game behind them and are up 4 on Detroit for WC1. Next up: A day off then back home for 3 against Houston.

03-09-2025, 08:47 AM	#934
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	August 9-11, 2033: vs Houston (3) Game 1: 1-4 L. LP-Lennon (10-5, 5 4 3 3 1 10). Rays pitching totaled 19 strikeouts of Houston batters but it didn't matter because the offense did little and Lennon gave up a 3-run homer in the first. Game 2: 3-0 W. WP-Little (3-2). S-R.Rodriguez (29). Starter-Oviedo (2.2 3 0 0 1 5). HR-Pino (11/32), Y.Alvarez (18). Five Rays pitching combined on a six-hit shutout including 3 1/3 scoreless from Little after Oviedo had to leave in the 3rd with what turned out to be a torn flexor tendon, so his season is over. Pino was 2-3 with a double, homer and 2 RBI while Yordan was 3-3 with his homer for the day's offense. Transaction: Oviedo goes on the 60-day IL and Danny Fragoso is recalled once again from Durham to take his place in the rotation. Oviedo ends his season 10-3, 2.73 with 93 whiffs in 89 IP and will be missed. Game 3: 4-3 W. WP-Buckman (7-2, 5.1 2 0 0 4 5). S-R.Rodriguez (30). HR-Y.Alvarez (19). Another big game from Yordan (3-4 with a homer and RBI single) as they built a 4-0 lead then barely held on with R-Rod striking out the side in the 9th after Luis Gonzalez gave up a solo homer to lead off the inning. Team record: 69-46. The Yankees also took 2 of 3 so we remain 1/2 game behind them but now 6 ahead of Detroit for WC1. Next up: 52-63 Colorado comes to town for 3 games.

03-11-2025, 12:01 AM	#935
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	August 12-14, 2033: vs Colorado (3) Game 1: 7-5 W. WP-Boyle (2-0). S-Ogando (7). Starter-Stone (5.1 7 5 5 1 7). HR-K.White (4/35), Hardy (21). Hardy's 2-run homer in the 6th capped a 3-run rally and put them up for good at 6-5 while Solano delivered a couple of RBI doubles. The Rays overcame Stone's third straight lousy start and fourth in his last five. Game 2: I'll let the box score do most of the talking as this was a historic night: In this rout which saw the Rays score in all but one inning they did something I've not seen in any of my saves (at least that I recall) and perhaps something never done in MLB history: have teammates hit 3 homers in the same game. Yordan and Haro both did it today as part of an 8-homer attack and overshadowing great games from Cedillo (4-5 with a HR and 3 RBI) and Acosta (7 strong innings including 12 Ks, his best start in the last several). Game 3: 5-3 W. WP-Ogando (2-4). S-R.Rodriguez (31). Starter-Fragoso (5.2 7 3 3 0 5). HR-K.White (5/36), Y.Alvarez (23). C.Williams' pinch-hit RBI single in the 8th was the winning hit as the Rays completed the sweep with yet another homer from Yordan. Team record: 72-46. The Yankees lost one of their three games enabling the Rays to move back into first by 1/2 game. Next up: A day off to travel to Toronto where we'll play 3 at Rogers Centre. The league took note of Yordan: Also some milestones around the league as Yunior Severino and Daulton Varsho each hit career homer #300 and former Ray Ozzie Albies banged out his 2000th hit.

03-13-2025, 05:22 PM	#936
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	August 16-18, 2033: at Toronto (3) Game 1: 5-1 W. WP-Lennon (11-5, 6.1 4 0 0 1 8). Lennon was brilliant and Haro drove in 3 with a pair of singles as the Rays made it 6 straight wins by taking the opener in Toronto. Game 2: 15-7 W. WP-Buckman (8-2, 6 7 3 3 1 5). HR-Hardy 2 (23), Solano (9). Massive games from Hardy and Solano with both driving 5 on 3 hits, 2 of which were homers for Hardy while Solano counted a double and a homer among his. With a massive lead the hapless Watters and Green gave up 4 runs in the last couple innings to make it a football score. Game 3: 10-5 W. WP-Little (4-2). Starter-Stone (5 4 2 2 1 9). HR-Pino (13/34). The Rays completed the sweep and extended their win streak to 8, but it took an 8-run rally in the 9th to overturn a 5-2 Toronto lead. There was no one big hit in the rally as 7 different players drove in runs, two of which early in the inning were on bases-loaded walks, the ultimate death by a thousand cuts. Pino's 2-run homer gave them their early runs. Team record: 75-46. The Yankees lost one of their games so the division lead is up to 1 1/2. Next up: The road trip continues in Philly, who are a pretty good 68-53.

03-16-2025, 08:11 PM	#937
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	August 19-21, 2033: at Philadelphia (3) Game 1: 7-9 L. LP-Stevenson (7-3). Starter-Acosta (3.1 7 5 5 0 1). HR-Lowe (1), Hardy (24), Pino (14/35). A strange game as the Rays answered a 4-spot in the 1st from Philly with a 7-run 2nd on three homers, only for the offense to dry up after that and the Phillies to come back and win. Game 2: 10-1 W. WP-Fragoso (4-4, 5.2 6 1 1 1 3). HR-K.White 2 (7/38), Hardy (25), Solano (10). Rays coasted to this one with White's biggest game as a Ray, homering twice and knocking in five. Game 3: 5-8 L. LP-Little (4-3). Starter-Lennon (4.2 9 3 3 2 3). HR-Pino 2 (16/37), Hardy (26). An early 3-0 Rays lead was eroded with Little giving up a grand slam in the 6th to Philly rookie sensation Julio Arriaga to lose it. Arriaga was 5-5 with 2 HR and 6 RBI on the day and is hitting 303/357/644 with 31 HR. He outshone Pino, who hit a pair of 2-run homers while Hardy homered for the third straight day against his original team. Team record: 76-48. The Yankees also lost 2 of 3 over the weekend but won their game Monday while the Rays were off to pull within a game. Next up: 3 in Houston after that off-day against a sorry 42-82 Astros team, the worst in baseball. Some league love for Hardy: MLB News: San Diego veteran superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. had a 4-homer game against Arizona, driving in 6 runs.

03-18-2025, 03:50 PM	#938
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	August 23-25, 2033: at Houston (3) Game 1: 11-10 W. WP-Buckman (9-2, 5.1 8 5 5 1 5). S-R.Rodriguez (32). HR-Pino (17/38), Y.Alvarez (24). A wild one that saw Buckman put the Rays in a 5-0 hole after 1 only for his mates to put 9 on the board in the 4th (including a 465-foot, 3-run shot from Pino) before nearly blowing an 11-5 lead. Tampa Bay was the beneficiary of 11 walks issued by Houston pitching. Game 2: 4-3 W. WP-Vargas (6-1). S-R.Rodriguez (33). Starter-Stone (4.2 6 3 3 2 3). HR-Y.Alvarez (25), Rutschman (19). Yordan had a 3-run homer as he stayed blazing hot and Rutschman's 6th-inning clout broke a 3-3 tie. Game 3: 2-6 L. LP-Boyle (2-1). Starter-Acosta (4.2 3 2 2 3 3). HR-Cedillos (7). It was a 2-2 game in the 8th and one the Rays should have been leading having left 12 on base before Boyle loaded the bases and Ogando came in and gave up a grand slam to lose it. Team record: 78-49. The lead on the Yankees stands at 1 1/2 games. Next up: Off to St. Louis for 3 against the 72-55 and NL Central-leading Cardinals.

03-20-2025, 09:54 PM	#939
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	August 26-28, 2033: at St. Louis (3) Game 1: 4-0 W. WP-Fragoso (5-4, 7 2 0 0 4 4). HR-K.White (8/39). The 23-year-old Cuban rookie had his best MLB start and Solano had a key 2-run single in a 3-run 6th that opened things up for the Rays. Game 2: 5-0 W. WP-Lennon (12-5, 6.1 6 0 0 1 5). S-R.Rodriguez (34). Another shutout for Tampa Bay pitching headed by Lennon and finished by R-Rod, who got the final out after Stevenson loaded the bases in the 9th. A 3-run 4th was key thanks to consecutive 2-out RBI singles from Hardy, Yordan and Haro. Game 3: 3-1 W. WP-Buckman (10-2, 5 7 1 1 2 4). S-R.Rodriguez (35). HR-Y.Alvarez (26), Rutschman (20). The Rays completed the sweep with another well-pitched game, allowing only one run in the three-game set. Buckman was in trouble during most of his time on the mound but the bullpen was incredible, putting up a combined 4 1 0 0 0 10 line that included a 4-strikeout 8th from Boyle after a passed ball on strike 3. Back-to-back jacks from Yordan and Rutschman in the 4th erased a 1-0 Cardinals lead and the staff made them stand up. Team record: 81-49. The Yankees lost their series finale so the lead is up to 2 1/2 games. Next up: A massive 4-game set at home against those very New Yorkers. Unfortunately Rutschman is going to miss the series with back spasms which came on later in the final game. Last edited by Art Deco; 03-20-2025 at 09:56 PM.

03-23-2025, 04:27 PM	#940
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,603	August 29-September 1, 2033: vs NY Yankees (4) Game 1: 2-4 L. LP-L.Gonzalez (2-2). Starter-Stone (5.2 1 0 0 4 6). Rays led 2-0 after 6 in this one before New York got 3 off the Rays bullpen and added a 4th in the 9th, not that the bats did much either. Game 2: 8-4 W. WP-Acosta (5-5, 6 5 2 2 0 7). HR-K.White (9/40), Haro (20). Rays led this one 8-0 after 3 with 2-run homers from White and Haro the big blows. Acosta meanwhile pitched his best game in a while. Game 3: 4-3 W. WP-R.Rodriguez (4-2). Starter-Fragoso (4.1 5 2 2 2 2). HR-K.White (10/41). White to the rescue as after his homer gave the Rays a 3-2 lead in the 7th which R-Rod blew in the 9th, he delivered an RBI double in the bottom of the 9th to walk it off. It was a costly win for the Rays though as Haro broke a thumb and will be out 6 weeks - his big bat will be missed. Transactions: Haro goes on the IL and could be back for the ALCS if we make it that far. Evan Bell, who filled in admirably for an injured Yordan earlier this season, gets the call and will play 1B against RHP with Kevin White moving to 1B against LHP and Carson Williams taking over at 3B. Also it was time for September roster expansion so IF Josh Jones and rookie P Alex Salazar are called up. Salazar was an 8th-round pick in 2028 who worked his way up and had a 3.71 ERA in 111 IP with Durham as a starter but will pitch in relief. Game 4: 7-8 L. LP-R.Rodriguez (4-3). Starter-Lennon (6 6 3 3 2 8). HR-Y.Alvarez (27), K.White (11/42), Gurrola (2). This one hurt. Up 5-1 after 6 and 7-3 after 7, the bullpen struggled yet again in this series with Ogando giving up 2 in the 8th and R-Rod imploding in the 9th, giving up a homer then a 2-run double with 2 out to lose it, wasting a trio of 2-run homers from the guys listed above. As a result the Rays blew a chance to go 4 1/2 up on New York and instead stay at 2 1/2 ahead, where they came into the series and with 4 days off the calendar, but it could have been much more. Team record: 83-51. Next up: A trip to Texas for 3 games.