Who's the best?

I'm not entirely sure that the Rays aren't the best team in the division this year. We will see.

over 3 years ago Jim Wisinski 21 comments 0 recs |

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Get off the fence!

Use your feelings Jim.

www.citadel-insurance.com

by SeanDubbs on Jul 1, 2008 11:08 PM EDT reply actions

Not really on the fence, I think that anyone saying that they’re definitely the best team would be overreaching on something we don’t really know. I think most of us recently have assumed that the Rays are likely to finish the season second in the division due to the Red Sox being better overall. I’d just like to throw out the idea that it may very well not be the case at all.

by Jim Wisinski on Jul 1, 2008 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Over-reacting?

Look at the elite teams in baseball right now and pick one who you feel absolutely certain would win a seven game playoff series against the Rays. I’m one of those guys who feels the Rays would finish second to the Sox but honestly, if the Rays sweep this series too against them, I’m changing my tune to be the first team to win a game on the road, and would have faith that the Rays can beat Boston in beantown.

The Rays just went out and tacked a loss against the biggest pain-in-the-ass pitcher that has ever plauged this team, against a team that this team has hated more than any other, and at a time where it’s critical because they won’t be seen again for over two months after tomorrow. A Rays sweep puts an exclamation point on the fact that if the Red Sox hope to win the division, they are going to have to hope that the Rays give up a 3.5 game lead.

Even though we’re just past the halfway point, it’s getting dangerously close to the point where the Rays control their own destiny in terms of winning the division. The Sox still have to face a resurgent Yankees team for a four game series after this, the Rays on the other hand, face the Royals. You could very well be looking at a 7 game lead in the division by the end of the week, and that’s a hell of a lot to make up for any team in any circumstance, regardless of how many games there are left.

by kericr on Jul 1, 2008 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Hurray for negatives!

by DMXATF23 on Jul 1, 2008 11:26 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, and while we're at it...

DOWN WITH OPTIMISM!!!

If you're not having fun, what are you having? There's already WAAAY too many serious moments in life.

by Manny Stiles on Jul 2, 2008 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

As of July 2..

We are the best team. We’ve beaten the Cubs, Angels, Red Sox, White Sox, and we have the best record against the best teams. We’re 15-10 in 1-Run games and only the Angels at 16-11 are five games over .500 in 1-Run games as well. Nobody in the AL can match up with our top three starters and even with our closer out we still have one of the best bullpens. Everybody and their brother knows our offense isn’t clicking on all cylinders and we have Upton, CC, Pena, Bartlett, Gomes, and Aki are all having below average years.

www.citadel-insurance.com

by SeanDubbs on Jul 1, 2008 11:28 PM EDT reply actions

Where do I click to 'keep reading' this post?

I’ve come to expect more of you than a single sentence, double negative post Jim. I’m not here to proclaim the Rays the best, but I’m not really sure what you want us to say in response?

by GomesSweetGomes on Jul 1, 2008 11:30 PM EDT reply actions

Edit

After reading your comments, I realize you were trying to say you think they may be the best team. Which is a fair topic for debate, I suppose

by GomesSweetGomes on Jul 1, 2008 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Single sentence, double negative post that took 1 minute to write or more detailed, longer post that will take a minimum of half an hour? I know which one I like to do. :)

Yeah, I was just throwing the idea out for debate.

by Jim Wisinski on Jul 2, 2008 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Are we the best team in baseball..

One can certainly make the argument. The Rays have dealt with injuries to key players and only one hittter is exceeding expectations(Navi). In fact, most of the hitters are underperforming, including the 2,3,4 hitters in the lineup.

On the other hand, the Sox are a very good team. I’m not ready to annoint this team the best team in baseball. That is why baseball has a 162 game schedule. IMO, the Rays and Sux are the 2 best teams in baseball. If they get Ortiz back(which I question), that really makes the Sox tough. They have a great rotation, decent bullpen, and can really swing it.

At this point, the teams are VERY close….and lets remember, these teams could have new additions in the coming weeks.

by td32 on Jul 1, 2008 11:38 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with Jim; the Sox are better

But…(and it’s a big “but”), the Rays are a LOT closer than anyone really expected. Instead of being some double-digit number behind the leaders, they are the leaders.

Young teams have a tendency to do a little worse in the last third of the season (last year’s Rockies notwithstanding), and I believe the Rays will likely suffer the same fate. This, by no means, means I think the Rays will collapse into a heap while everyone else blows by them in the standings. But I do think Boston will eventually overtake them.

This looks like an 88-92 win team, even with a regression later in the year, and that’ll get them close. IF someone offered me even-money on April 1 that the Rays would make the playoffs, I’d have looked at them like they’d sprouted another head. On July 1, I’d take the bet and think I had the long end of it.

Feel optimistic, Rays fans…..and enjoy it.

The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.

by pocket8pin on Jul 2, 2008 7:42 AM EDT reply actions

As a Sox fan

your opinion doesn’t matter. My opinion is about to sweep your opinion tonight. :)

by kericr on Jul 2, 2008 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

So this is what you're saying...

After going 51-32 (.614), the Rays will “regress” and end the season at 88-92 (.489). So, to get there we have to play 37-60 (.381) type ball…

That’s not “a little worse,” that’s a nuclear device exploding in St. Pete and the radiation putting the entire team on the DL with severe mutations. That’s beyond bad; that would require us to lose approximately (I’m estimating now) 10,000 games in a row.

So: NO; FALSE. The Rays, though they may regress, are not capable of such incredible self-destruction – few teams are. We’re in first place now, and you’re going to have to deal with it some other way. (Like admitting you can win without pouring vast oceans of American currency into the pocket folds of good ballplayers with too much clout.)

B Rad the Ray Fan
9=8

by BWoodrum on Jul 2, 2008 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Ummm.....

88-92 would be an awful lot of games to play in an 162 game season (180 to be exact). I’m pretty sure he meant 88-92 wins. Which would be between 70-74 losses. If we played 500 ball from here on out we’d be 91-71 to finish the season. While I’d be surprised if we “only” played .500 ball from here on out 90+ wins would be right at what he was saying.

by rglass44 on Jul 2, 2008 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Apparently I need an edit key.... or to read Jim's stuff closer this early :)

Jim thinks the Rays are the best team.

The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.

by pocket8pin on Jul 2, 2008 7:43 AM EDT reply actions

Actually, I don’t think anything. Up to this point in the season I’ve consistently said that the Red Sox or better. I’m not about to say that the Rays are definitely better but I think it’s worthy of consideration and discussion at this point.

by Jim Wisinski on Jul 2, 2008 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha!

Jim, I think you’ve created the most confusing and misinterpreted post ever.

B Rad the Ray Fan

by BWoodrum on Jul 2, 2008 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

The best right now

If your pitching keeps this pace up, then you will be the best because your offense should improve some. Your starting rotation is just scary (as an orioles fan), but I am not sold on your bullpen. You have had good years out of some older guys and some guys having career years. Not to mention you are one year removed from a horific bullpen. So I have to say the Sox’s pen gives them the advantage in the long run, but if you could land a couple of relievers via trade then this could be the best team out there.

by Reddrummer9187 on Jul 2, 2008 9:52 AM EDT reply actions