SPTimesRays Marc Topkin
#Rays lineup: Bartlett ss, Zobrist rf, Crawford lf, Longoria 3b, Pena 1b, Upton cf, Johnson dh, Shoppach c, Rodriguez 2b, Price p
over 1 year ago
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These people are literally animals.
Dear Jesus Christ..
Please help the Texas Rangers win this game tonight! It’s pretty obvious how the Rangers franchise needs this game more than the Rays franchise. We obviously haven’t won a playoff series (yet) while on the other hand, the Rays have already been to the ALCS already twice. PLEASE help the Rangers win tonight. please, please. please. *prays
by pinoyintegrity on Oct 12, 2010 1:07 PM PDT reply actions
Which is sort of the irony of the situation.
It wouldn't even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Who was that chick from the boomer screenshot?
Shit is gonna bother me
Price, Garza, Davis, Price, Garza
No clue.
It wouldn't even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Tracy Burgess
Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.
by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT
Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back
That’s what Jonah should call his book if this happens.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
God is in the tub.....
I really love people who pray for favorable outcomes to sporting events. I even did a sarcastic one on a friend’s FB wall yesterday. Do they REALLY think God: (1) has NOTHING better to do; (2) cares one way or the other; and (3) will listen to one teams prayers over the other? Riiiiight. And I’m so sure that wishing David Price gets raped by a bear will help Cheesus push things in your favor.
by Sarah Thomas on Oct 12, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
God didn't seem to care about Bobby Cox or Brooks Conrad.
It wouldn't even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
God's never in Florida this time of year.
"I have a formula for excitability actually." - RJ Anderson
by ReasonableDoubt on Oct 12, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Absolutely.
He doesn’t make it down until November with the rest of the snowbirds.
by Sarah Thomas on Oct 12, 2010 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Well..
1) you assume he thinks on a human level and cannot do all at once.
2) Sure he cares, I am sure he considers consequences of all lives prior to rendering the outcome
3) He hears all of them at once.. Problem with humans is they dont think on a God level, you assume he has limitations.
Seriously?!?!?
I’m sure that being omnipresent/omnipotent/omniscient, God is capable of everything. I question more of his motivation behind actively assisting one team over another. A wonderful writer put it far better than I have here:
http://throughaglass.net/archives/2004/02/19/god-is-in-the-tub/
Instead of praying about the outcome, how about we put up our best guys and let them duel to the death.
by Sarah Thomas on Oct 12, 2010 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice contrast between this post and bucpimpin's.
It wouldn't even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
by PlayOnWords on Oct 12, 2010 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ha. +1.
Sign lady must die.
Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Frank
by EminenceFront on Oct 12, 2010 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree, time for another Children's Crusade
Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 12, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I like the line-up
We need guys in their that are gonna swing the bat instead of trying to get a walk.
Lee shows no mercy.
"1 - 2 - Freddy's coming for you, 3 - 4 - Better lock your door, 5 - 6 - Grab your crucifix, 7 - 8 - Better stay up late, 9 - 10 - Never sleep again..."
Johnson and Zobrist swing about as little as possible.
And Joyce/Jaso are two of our better hitters.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd like to see Jaso in there
He makes a ton of contact, even though Shoppach has a better track vs LHP.
PIZZA?!?
by Transplanted on Oct 12, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
But you were making the point
That Shopach should be in over Jaso in the pre-game thread?? (just ball-busting)
Looking at Jaso’s splits against lefties makes me cringe. Perhaps more than the thought of Shoppach starting.
Watching the Giants/Braves last night was pissing me off, thinking that Buster Posey could have been here. I guess the Rays felt Navi was the long term answer…but I digress.
I’m starting to get the butterflies, and I have nothing to do with the game, other than watch. Gonna be a tough night no matter the outcome.
Unless the Rays mash big time. Then I might relax and enjoy. Right now this feels like oral surgery…
I'm pointing out that "we need guys who go up looking to hit, not to walk" makes no sense.
Considering Joyce and Jaso are good hitters (since they kill righties) and yet they don’t swing as often as some of the other guys available.
Rodriguez/Shoppach make sense over them both against Lee.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
You should have heard the guy sitting behind us in Game 1.
Literally every at-bat was how about the Rays don’t swing and that’s why they’re shitty hitters. I wanted to kill myself.
I mean, hitting the ball is good and being aggressive is fine.
But swinging at everything is just as bad as swinging at nothing. I was concerned pitchers would adjust to Jaso and just force feed him strikes until he proved he could hurt them, but it hasn’t happened yet.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Right, I just love the idea that the difference is between swinging the bat and not swinging the bat.
The reality is hitting is a dozen times more complicated than that. It really comes down to seeing the ball well and having a good swing, both of which are incredibly difficult skills. It doesn’t matter what the count is when you manage that, just that you do.
And I think Jaso's proved that he has a great eye, not that he's a bad hitter trying to be walk happy.
If you want to pound him with strikes, he will foul pitches off and get a base hit.
Well, yeah.
But I don’t believe any of the Rays hitters go up looking for walks. I think guys like Jaso, Zobrist, etc. realize a walk isn’t a loss on their part though and are willing to take them if nothing they can hit comes over the plate.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn't mean that as an indictment against the Rays
just a general comment. but with Lee you might not get much to hit and it might still be a strike…
I agree.
His ability to pound the plate with his fastball is remarkable. It’s unnatural really. He’s going to throw those damn things 3-4ths of the time on the middle/inside to righties and there’s nothing you can do with it most of the time.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
try to go the other way
didn’t they do that in August when they scored those 6 in the 8th?
Or we can hope his back tightens up.
IIRC we BABIP'd the fuck out of them in that game.
Sign lady must die.
Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Frank
by EminenceFront on Oct 12, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
(I was there and agree)
Sign lady must die.
Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Frank
by EminenceFront on Oct 12, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Most of their hits versus him have been bloopers and defensive miscues.
Especially that Texas one where Blanco (or was it Arias) botched two or three plays.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
It was Arias
He was acquired in the A-Rod trade
PIZZA?!?
by Transplanted on Oct 12, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
He's been very, very damn good this series.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Well the dinger was to the right of center, it's not like it was straight out to right
Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 12, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Right but they have better contact skills than Shopp or Pena
Against pitchers who won’t walk hitters, a larger % of Shoppach’s walks will turn into Ks, while Jaso’s turn into some form of contact.The good news is Shopp has some crazy lifetime BABIP of .380ish vs LHP, which doesn’t even account for his HR which he has a HR/FB north of 17%. He hits the seams off the ball when he makes contact.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Shoppach is the master of hitting the foul pole.
Sign lady must die.
Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Frank
by EminenceFront on Oct 12, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
There is no baseball god, Sutty.
See Shields.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Shields would have redeemed himself if Maddumb hadn't pulled him so early.
He was pitching really well. I consider hitting Matt Treanor to be a freak occurance.
He gave up two XBH and no walks.
Hope he gets NYY because his changeup versus those switch hitters is a dream.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
And one of those XBH's was actually well hit.
Both of Andrus hits were complete bullshit. His changeup was working good… seriously still pissed about Merlot Joe about that one. Atleast bring in Balfour or Benoit if you absolutely have to get those outs.
Yup, if it was that important of a situation then bring in your best
Not Chad Qualls. Even though I know why he brought in Qualls, just don’t agree with it
Price, Garza, Davis, Price, Garza
Fair, but Qualls gets GB DP more often than Balfour and Shields.
Which is what he was going for (I think) with Hamilton on deck.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I understand the thought process, it's just not something I agree with.
Don’t you think Balfour or Shields are more likely to get an out — regardless of the type — than Qualls?
Yes.
I assume he pulled Shields because he thought Shields’ mental state was on the down and that an implosion could occur quickly.
Oh well, redemption soon, right?
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions
And that non-HR run scored off him (before Qualls, rather)
Was typical Shields. Not one hard hit ball or walk yet they scored. His thought process behind throwing the ball while falling was interesting. Gave his catcher a chance to hold the runner instead of balking. Also risks a WP/HBP too. Not sure which makes more sense there.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
I though Sheilds was looking a closed to coming unglued there; and I want him to get a chance at redemption.
He'll get his chance
I don’t think they can go all the way without Shields should they get the opportunities.
PIZZA?!?
by Transplanted on Oct 12, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I have a post about drafting Posey for later
PIZZA?!?
by Transplanted on Oct 12, 2010 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Even if it's in defense of not drafting him?
PIZZA?!?
by Transplanted on Oct 12, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Can of worms best left for after the playoffs....
but it is better.
Watching him this weekend has been tough, but at least Jaso’s been good.
I keed I keed anyway.
Well, it'd have to be after the playoffs
As I’ve not finished writing it lol.
PIZZA?!?
by Transplanted on Oct 12, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
Matt should probably be in the line-up.
But Johnson & Zobrist have had big hits this postseason.
I have mixed feelings about Shop being in the line-up as well. His defense is a little better than Jaso’s, but he can’t hit as well.
I wouldn’t have minded to see Jaso in the line-up.
"1 - 2 - Freddy's coming for you, 3 - 4 - Better lock your door, 5 - 6 - Grab your crucifix, 7 - 8 - Better stay up late, 9 - 10 - Never sleep again..."
Now it's on
Now go set fire to Pena for trying to cheat in Game 1.
by FuturePants on Oct 12, 2010 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Price, Garza, Davis, Price, Garza
BAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHHAHA
love it love it love it
i hate one person more than Pap smear—his name is bin laden
by sternfan1 on Aug 12, 2010 3:33 PM EDT
"FuturePants"
Sign lady must die.
Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Frank
by EminenceFront on Oct 12, 2010 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Those maroons honestly believe that the ball hit the bat?
It wouldn't even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
These people are seriously nutty
This…. he’s no better than Jeter or A-Rod in that respect….
Ball….toss…..antlers….
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Oct 12, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Price, Garza, Davis, Price, Garza
BJ needs to bust a nut in this game.
Lee is his kind of pitcher, you would think.
Sign lady must die.
Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Frank
Beej basically can't hit a slider at this point.
I don’t mean to get all “Old Fashion Baseball” on you, but really, the guy needs to completely change his approach with two strikes. Choke up on the bat and look to squirt a pitch into rightfield, like he did in 2008 when his shoulder was hurting.
I agree.
Anything up he’s been able to crush as of late but if it’s a) low or b) going away from him he can’t touch it.
Sign lady must die.
Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Frank
by EminenceFront on Oct 12, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Outside corner is death for him right now
PIZZA?!?
by Transplanted on Oct 12, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
O'Day is pretty much his anti-Christ.
Sign lady must die.
Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Frank
by EminenceFront on Oct 12, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I meant in this series.
But if he can guess on a FB early enough he should be able to pull it off of Lee into the LF seats.
Sign lady must die.
Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Frank
by EminenceFront on Oct 12, 2010 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah, well, he's just got to think about making contact
He was so good in 2008 when he didn’t swing & miss so much
PIZZA?!?
by Transplanted on Oct 12, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
BJ's career high 25.3% Oswing% doesn't help though.
Sign lady must die.
Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Frank
by EminenceFront on Oct 12, 2010 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
He needs to cut his swing down on 2 strikes
put it in play more
PIZZA?!?
by Transplanted on Oct 12, 2010 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Heading to the Trop
Rays need to do the damn thing
love it love it love it
i hate one person more than Pap smear—his name is bin laden
by sternfan1 on Aug 12, 2010 3:33 PM EDT
Ha! Seems like even Maddon knows what motivates Shop-vac
From the TBT:
Rays lineup includes Johnson, Shoppach
UPDATE, 4:30: Manager Joe Maddon brought in “hitting” tacos from Rojo Taco in downtown Tampa to help inspire squad. …
It's a rarity to capture a couple of the elusive RaysDeer in their natural habitat
Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 12, 2010 4:43 PM EDT reply actions 6 recs
I love the committtment.
It wouldn't even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
In all fairness, BJdeer probably is harder to see and catch.
Sonnydeer is dead meat.
Sign lady must die.
Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Frank
by EminenceFront on Oct 12, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah but BJdeer probably trots and enjoys the grass too much.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions
And Sonnydeer doesn't?
Sign lady must die.
Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Frank
by EminenceFront on Oct 12, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Sonnydeer isn't the best natural athlete but makes up for it with wits.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd aim for him. He's hittable even with a bow and arrow.
Sign lady must die.
Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Frank
by EminenceFront on Oct 12, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
he only looks like he trots
when he really runs fast is when you can’t see him.
I don’t understand the grass comment :-)
Probably should've been Price and not Beejer.
LSB has a frothing hate on for David right now. I’m worried about them.
It wouldn't even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
They gotta create drama to get up for this game?
It’s been a fun series. Damn, we aren’t their Boston from 2008 or anything.
by R.J. Anderson on Oct 12, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Happy?
Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 12, 2010 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Please post this on LSB if we win.
It wouldn't even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
They are pretty riled up over there
Hoping our players die and get raped by animals.
- Gareth Rees
Staff Writer for SBNation Tampa Bay, on twitter @greesie.
That's the fear in them talking
Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 12, 2010 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Dick.
"I have a formula for excitability actually." - RJ Anderson
by ReasonableDoubt on Oct 12, 2010 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually, not knowing any Rays fans in D.C. at all.
I’d be happy to come.
by Patrick L. Kennedy on Oct 12, 2010 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I've reached the point where I feel like vomit could boil up in me at any time. Wasn't this nervous at any point in 2008.
It wouldn't even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Cliff Lee right now is a better pitcher against our hitter profile than any we've faced in three years.
It wouldn't even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Gotta have faith in Price.
This is going to be a two inning game and that favors us every day of the week.
Not Price I'm worried about. Don't think he'll implode.
I just worry that he’ll have to be perfect.
It wouldn't even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
You only do two innings anyway, the first and the last.
Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 12, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Nope. Felt we were playing with house money at that point.
It wouldn't even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Also
Cliff Lee right now is a better pitcher against our hitter profile than any we’ve faced in three years.
It wouldn’t even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
by PlayOnWords on Oct 12, 2010 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions
It wouldn't even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Fuck you.
It wouldn't even be fair, I literally play for keeps
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Oct 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
we didn't see an elimination game until gm7 of the LCS
This is the 3rd in a row. It’s bound to cause some angst
Anybody know a good live feed to listen to the game online?
I have to work 6-10, and the AM station cuts out at 8PM in Tallahassee for whatever reason. Streaming it from my phone is apparently my only option, other than gamecast/mlbatbat. God I wish I worked somewhere that calling in sick was an option.
"If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library." ~Frank Zappa
You wont find it streaming on radio stations online unless
you were to say… google… a few things…. or perhaps click a cleverly hidden link .
OH FUCK YES YOU FUCKING MANBEAST FUCK ME ALL NIGHT LONG
by R.J. Anderson on Jun 21, 2009 3:34 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions 1 recs
by HAHAHA OH WOW on Oct 12, 2010 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
why does my cursor turn into a hand when I scroll over that period?
Leave me alone, the Rays are about to clinch.
by mrichardkent on Oct 12, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
you should see a doctor
a cursor should not look a hand. or maybe your hand shouldn’t look like a cursor?
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