Rays are playing on a whole new level

by rayalan on Apr 26, 2008 2:14 PM EDT

What I have seen in the last 4 games of the Rays is something I have never seen before. They are winning and playing like a top level baseball team. Any part of their order may be the one that makes the diference from game to game. I have been as upset as anyone at some of the managing decisons made the last few years by Maddon. However, he is now able to manage this team like it is a major league team because he finally has all of the tools. LIke making dfensive substitutions and feeling very confident the bullpen is going to hold the lead with dead-on defense behind it.

Some of you may think I am crazy, but I would not swap for another starting 9 with any other major league team to go to the future with, including the Red Sox and Yankees. (Navarro needs a little or maybe more work). I truly belive this team has that much upside potential. They just have to show that they can perform to this level over an extended period of time, like 5 or 6 months. Longoria is the real deal. He will be perpetual All Star.

Last nights game with the Red Sox is one of the best games I have ever seen from a defense standpoint and timely hitting. Go Rays. By the way I love the Trop, we don't need a new stadium. I love the a/c and no rain. Hopefully before this season ends they will have to take the tarp off of those obstructed view seats instead of turning thousand of people away.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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It was a wonderful game played at a high level

... following a nice sweep of the Jays

...but can we at least win the series with the Sox before we get too caught up in the big picture. (If we can win today or tomorrow, I promise to gush prose and/or poetry about The One Team to Rule Them All).

Considering how upbeat the mood is following dramatic wins like last night, I remind myself that this team is still 12-11 and has a lot of work to do to even be competitive with the big dogs over 162.

by ttnorm on Apr 26, 2008 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

It was a wonderful game played at a high level

We are 12 and 11 without our ace and two of our better hitters are hitting at the mendoza line or lower. We have a lot to look foward to. If they just do not slip into those supposed rookie mistakes. I don’t buy the rookie mistake excuses anyhow. Throwing to the wrong base should be out of the way in senior litle league. That is just a “macho” thing anyhow – look at how strong my arm is when they don’t have a prayer of throwing someone out.Where would we be if Iwamura and Pena were hitting and Kazmir had had 3 or 4 starts?

My high school said to us the first day of practice—If you can knock more runs in with your bat than you let in with your glove and arm you can play on my time anytime.

by rayalan on Apr 26, 2008 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

My high school team said:

“Don’t suck, and we all won’t suck. I you yourself, stops the sucking cycle. Then We won’t find ourselves sucking come playoff time.” I am not making this stuff up. That really was said before a game Vs. Jesuit.

In the Name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Apr 26, 2008 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions