What about The Rays?

[Spudboy]

One of the strongest dynamics of Talksox is the Sox vs. Yankees banter.

 

A good part of the discussion here is Sox against the Yankees.

 

As such, not much is discussed concerning the other quality teams in the AL. And certainly we don't make much mention of Tampa Bay.

 

I think The Rays are serious contenders in the AL East. It's entirely possible that one of our favorite teams will miss out on the play-offs if The Rays play well. For that matter, what about Chicago, Minnesota, LAA, Texas, and Seattle?

 

We're two days away from opening day. What do you see happening? Will there be a real challenge from The Rays? Maybe someone else?

[Gom]

You'll have to wait for GOM's Fearless Predictions.

[Spudboy]

You'll have to wait for GOM's Fearless Predictions.

 

 

As my Russian ex-wife would say "I can't to wait".

[Gom]

 

As my Russian ex-wife would say "I can't to wait".

 

I didn't know Mail-Order Brides could speak any English. :dance:

[Spudboy]

I didn't know Mail-Order Brides could speak any English. :dance:

 

:lol::lol:

 

For the edification of Talksox members, most don't know how to speak English. Although, English is the most common second language among most urban Russians within the last twenty years. German is second. My ex-wife was conversant in six languages. Russian, English, Ukrainian, Spanish, Italian, and Hungarian.

 

Oh, and bye the way, French was the spoken language in Russia until 1921.

 

I hope this information helps you get big tips driving your cab in Brooklyn.

 

Good luck.

 

Poshel nowheh. (Sorry, no Cyrillic keyboard here).

[ORS]

Depends on their bullpen. On paper, I'd say it won't be good enough to keep them in the hunt. But if the shamrocks fly from their arses the way they did in '08, a good BP should keep that rotation and lineup in play.

[Dojji]

They're talented, but not deep and it's hard to keep proven players on their budget. They're still in their championship window but a lot has to go right for TB, including several things going wrong for NYY and/or BOS

[jacksonianmarch]

Dojji, they are very deep. The problem is, past the surface, they are very young. They have some of the best arms and bats in the minors. You just cannot rely on a bunch of rooks yr in and yr out

[msubulldogs21]

I think TB will be in the mix for most if not all of the season. However, it will be interesting if they start out slow or are struggling in June/July if they deal away Carl Crawford or not.

[PWNdroia]

The Rays will be amazing this year. Boston will be watching the playoffs with the lineup they have. And you can never count the Yankees out.

[jacksonianmarch]

Their bullpen will be the key. If Soriano remains healthy and Howell comes back okay, then they should be okay. Their problems last season did not step from the lineup or the rotation. They just couldnt hold a lead

[BoSox21]

Their rotation really wasn't anything special last year either and to me, remains a question mark this year as well.

[Teleporting Mike Cameron]

Rays are very scary team, if the rotation succeeds, watch out. David Price is the key to me, the Rays success will depend on how he does as the #3.

[Spudboy]

How about them Rays?

[redsoxrules]

April 19th

[Emmz]

Liking the way the Twins look so far, how bout 'em? Love the pitching so far, with the Baker on opener, and yesterday Pavano sucked it up, unfortunately a game I went to (and still had fun at,

[Spudboy]

BUMP.

 

Well?

 

Are the Rays for real?

 

The Sox and Yankees have not hit their stride. And the Ray's hitting has not been all that great. But they keep winning. The top four of their rotation has been pretty good.

 

What do you see happening going forward?

 

I don't expect the Rays to play .700 ball for the rest of the season. But do they have enough depth and talent to displace either of our teams?

 

And what about those Twins?

[yankees228]

I don't think there is any question that the Rays are for real, but they won't sustain a sub 3 ERA from their starting rotation for the rest of the season, especially playing in the AL East. With that being said, I like them to make the playoffs, either as the division winner or as the wild card.

[Dipre]

That pitching should regress a bit (both SP and BP).

[Dipre]

And by the way, what the hell is wrong with their Offense?

[DirtDog331724632256]

I like them to make the playoffs' date=' either as the division winner or as the wild card.[/quote']

yeah they will be playing in October.

the bad thing about that is it makes our chances worse.

AL East is definitely the best division this year hands down

[msubulldogs21]

AL East is definitely the best division this year hands down

 

Its been the best division every year for a while now. Don't see that changing anytime soon either.

 

As for the Rays, they suffered a big blow today losing JP Howell for the year to shoulder surgery. He's one of the better lefty relievers in the game.

[yankees228]

Buster Olney just compared them to the 1998 Yankees. I wouldn't quite go that far at this point, but they are really good, and I think they're setup well at the moment to put some distance between themselves and the Yankees.

[bsox0407]

Buster Olney just compared them to the 1998 Yankees. I wouldn't quite go that far at this point' date=' but they are really good, and I think they're setup well at the moment to put some distance between themselves and the Yankees.[/quote']

 

SAme record as the 1998 Yankees did through 40 games. The Rays can play .500 for the rest of the season and still finish with 90 wins.

[yankees228]

SAme record as the 1998 Yankees did through 40 games. The Rays can play .500 for the rest of the season and still finish with 90 wins.

 

The first part of this is incorrect. The 1998 Yankees were 31-9 through 40 games. The 2010 Rays are 29-11 through 40 games.

[Dipre]

Color me skeptical that they'll maintain a sub-3 team ERA for the rest of the season. The pitching will slump eventually.

[diony]

Especially with young pitchers like Price, Niemann and Davis in the unfriendly AL East.

[bsox0407]

The first part of this is incorrect. The 1998 Yankees were 31-9 through 40 games. The 2010 Rays are 29-11 through 40 games.

 

I must have misread that on ESPN my bad.

[Dipre]

Color me skeptical that they'll maintain a sub-3 team ERA for the rest of the season. The pitching will slump eventually.

 

Team ERA up to 3.58, and as the pitching has slumped, so have they.

[jacksonianmarch]

The pitching has come down to earth, but I am just baffled that their offense continues to struggle like it has. Zobrist has lost his power, Upton has sucked, Bartlett has returned to the light hitting model we were all accustomed to prior to last few yrs, Pena is hitting .200, etc. This was the most exciting offense team to watch 2 yrs ago and their offense aside from Crawford and Longoria has been s***. The thing about their starters that is interesting is that the old guards of Garza and Shields have been the #3 and #4 guys on the staff. Davis taking his lumps has hurt the Rays, but the Niemann-Price tandem has been solid. And their pen has returned to being lights out after being awful in 2009.

 

They have their flaws, and I would put almost all of them on offense. Without someone snapping out of their funks or without another stick, they wont stay in the playoff race. Its kinda funny how one sided they were to start the yr, and that the other side just never picked up