Tampa Bay Rays news and links: Cubs offense goes loud; Jays eliminated

The Cleveland Indians won the American League (click to bask in someone else’s happiness), despite a terrible spate of late-season injury depletion. Injuries to Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar meant that rookie Ryan Merritt started last night, and he delivered four and a third scoreless innings.

Jose Bautista had said that because of Toronto’s experience, Merritt would be “shaking in his boots.” Merritt seemed to be okay.

But really it’s Trevor Bauer who once more earns the win.

Meanwhile, the Cubs offense came alive for ten runs. This was not the biggest hit, but it was Ben Zobrist.

The Rays aren’t in the playoffs, but there’s a facet of these playoffs Rays fans will recognize (h/t @neilsolondz).

Links:

• What drives revenues? Market size? State size? Metro size? Social media engagement?
• Baseball America has released their draft scorecard for each team. It’s behind the pay wall, so we only get to show a taste. But here’s a taste to think about over the next couple years. Franklin also showed up in the “Best Fastball” section.

BEST SECONDARY PITCH: [Austin] Franklin’s (4th round) curveball has deep vertical snap, and it showed improved power during his debut, when he ran it up to the upper 70s. RHP Zach Trageton (6th round) and LHP Kenny Rosenberg (8th round) both earn praise for their changeups.

• Wil Myers tips what pitch he’s looking for.
• There’s been plenty of talk about Houston removing Tal’s Hill. This is the most interesting I’ve seen, with Henry Druschel saying it will turn Minute Maid park into an offense-friendly stadium.
• Jeff Sullivan on playoff hitting.

Trivia

Yesterday we looked at who fielded poorly, per-UZR, last season. So here’s a connected question. Who owns the worst career UZR mark at a position single (not total, for people who played different positions) in Rays history?

Things to remember:

• UZR is a counting stat, so to be the worst, this player needed to receive playing time despite his poor fielding.
• UZR compares to the positional average, so below-average shortstop is still likely a much better fielder than an above average first baseman, etc.