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Yesterday we did all we could to wish the Rays would not win, and dammit they did. Granted they did so in a fun fashion, and this sport needs to stay fun. It was smiles all around. Boxberger even got his 39th save. Very nice.
But seriously, you need to stop winning! The Rays are now 76-81 on the season, the Orioles are 76-80 with one less game played, and the Red Sox are 77-80 playing the Yankees this week. It's all still very close, and I'd prefer the higher draft position - thank you!
In the overall standings, the Rays have only the 12th worst record. Right now that draft pick isn't even protected! Seattle has 75 wins, the White Sox have 74, the Padres and Tigers have 73. Just step out of the way, Rays.
Tip of the cap to Matt Moore, though, who turned in another fine performance of pain-free pitching and one-run baseball. He sounds like a guy with more confidence in his stuff, and very much so wants to pitch the final game of the season.
His first inning was a bit less than dominant, but he turned a corner into the second inning and the contact from opposing hitters sounded quite weak from there. Moore and Smyly being healthy and returning to form with a normal off-season will be great for the Rays in 2016.
And it's Smyly who is up next, in likely his final outing of the year. - DR
TODAY'S STARTING PITCHERS:
| PITCHER | W | L | ERA | FIP | AVG | HR | K% | BB% | GS/G | IP |
| Drew Smyly | 4 | 2 | 3.26 | 4.12 | .235 | 11 | 27.4% | 6.8% | 11/11 | 60.2 |
| Jarred Cosart | 2 | 4 | 4.15 | 5.01 | .238 | 9 | 15.7% | 10.6% | 12/13 | 65 |
Smyly continued in his scoreless outing every other start streak his last time out as he pitched an out into the seventh inning. He only allowed five hits, while he walked three and struck out seven. Hopefully, Smyly snaps his streak this time out, as the other side of scoreless every other start streak has been rough. Since his return from the DL, Smyly has been solid considering the future of his season was once in question.
Jarred Cosart Scouting Report:
Cosart has showed flashes of excellence this season, but a few rough outings have skewed his numbers. He has had a couple of DL stints and even spent some time in Triple-A to work some things out. He was brought back up by Miami at the beginning of September and although he hasn't pitched deeply into games for the Marlins, he has been great. So far in September, he has only allowed three runs. His last time out was on the 24th against the Phillies and he only lasted four innings, despite allowing four hits, while walking two and striking out two. He only lasted four innings, due to being hit by a line drive earlier in the game.
His arsenal:
| PITCH | VELOCITY | FREQUENCY | vs LHB | vs RHB |
| Cutter | Mid 90's |
73% vs LHB *** 79% vs RHB |
Paints the outside corner | Paints the outside corner, generally low in the zone |
| Sinker | Mid 90's |
01% vs LHB *** 00% vs RHB |
Sporadic | Sporadic |
| Change | Mid 80's |
11% vs LHB *** 01% vs RHB |
Anywhere below the zone | Sporadic |
| Curve | Low 80's |
16% vs LHB *** 20% vs RHB |
Anywhere below the zone | Anywhere below the zone |
His splits:
| TBF | AVG | OBP | SLG | HR | K% | BB% | |
| vs LHB | 128 | .221 | .315 | .402 | 2 | 18.0% | 11.7% |
| vs RHB | 146 | .252 | .331 | .446 | 7 | 13.7% | 9.6% |
| HOME | 150 | .218 | .307 | .316 | 1 | 14.7% | 10.7% |
| AWAY | 124 | .261 | .344 | .560 | 8 | 16.9% | 10.5% |
September 30th in Rays History:
- They are 6-6 all-time on this date
- 2001 - Trailing 5-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth, the Devil Rays would strike for two runs thanks to a timely double from Ben Grieve. The following inning, Chris Gomez singled home Damian Rolls to tie the game and force it into extras. Unfortunately, in the 12th, Doug Creek was in his third inning of work and he gave up a single to Carlos Delgado that scored the go-ahead run leading to a 6-5 victory for Toronto.
- 2002 - After five long, injury plagued years with Tampa Bay, Wilson Alvarez's tenure with the Devil Rays came to an end as he was released. Alvarez actually only pitched in three season with Tampa, missing 2000-2001.
- 2004 - The Devil Rays and Tigers engaged in a rare double header at Tropicana Field with Detroit taking the first game decisively as Jeremy Bonderman dominated throwing a complete game, 4-hit shutout. Things worked out better for Tampa Bay in the second game as they rallied for three runs in the eighth and came out on top, 6-4.
- 2007 - During a 8-5 victory in Toronto, Carlos Pena blasts his 46th homer of the year, establishing a new franchise record for home runs in a single season. The mark hasn't since been close to being reached, with Pena being the closest having 39 in 2009.
- 2011 - Following the Rays epic Game 162, they began the ALDS just two days later facing their opponents from the year before, the Texas Rangers. The day fell on Jeff Niemann's turn in the rotation, but instead, Joe Maddon turned to his phenom, Matt Moore, who didn't disappoint. Moore would hurl seven scoreless innings, only surrendering two hits as the Rays crusied to an early series lead with a 9-0 shutout of the Rangers. Here's the full game for those who'd like to watch it.
- 2012 - With a solid performance against the White Sox, David Price secured his 20th victory of the season, surpassing his previous team record of 19 set in 2010. It would be the final start of his Cy Young award winning season.
- 2013 - After Texas and Tampa Bay finished tied for the second wild card spot, they played a tie-breaker, where the winner moves on the play the first wild card winner. It was the Rays second must win game in a row, and they succeeded as David Price tossed a gritty complete game and the Rays won 5-2.