Record after 87 games in 2007: 34-53

Projected record in 2007 based on first 81 games: 66-96

Record after 87 games in 2006: 38-49

Final record in 2006: 61-101

If the bar was set at 61-65 wins, then yes indeed the Rays have so far overachieved. I would hope the locals hold this team to a higher standard of "achievement", however.

R.J.

Understood about the original intent of the piece, and I have to admit I went out of my way to extend the argument.

There's no doubt several of the Rays players have gone above and beyond what people were expecting of them. But to me, no matter how you slice and dice stats the biggest stat is the wins and losses.

Mayve it's just me :)

Or MAYBE it's just me :)

Maybe or mayve, its just the way that it is:)  You can win one ball game 11-4 and lose 3 games by 5-3, 6-4 and 4-2 and still have a better run differential and be 1-3.

In the end, you are what you are and it is what it is, there is only so much lipstick for every pig.  Let's hope some of these young guys can stay motivated.  

I see no overachievement by the pitching staff.  We only have three guys with ERA's under 5.  That's not very good.  

How much more seasoning do the guys in the minor leagues need to have to be better than the current bullpen?

I think the real underachievers are the management guys who somehow don't understand what those bull pen numbers mean.  It's time to fact the fact that these guys just are not good pitchers.  They are occupying spots on the roster and in the dugout that should go to guys who can do no worse.  (I could do no worse, and I'm a little out of shape.)