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With a little over a month to go in the Rays 2016 season, players fighting for a spot on next years club are going to look to impress and leave that lasting memory going into the offseason.
Last night, the Rays won a close fought game in Fenway last night 4-3, on the back of a huge two-run game tying HR from one of those players on the fringe: Luke Maile.
Another roleplayer trying to earn a role on next years club is Tim Beckham. Beckham extended his current hitting streak to 9 games.
Tim Beckham has a nine game hitting streak going. He's an interesting case. Seemingly no spot for him, but he's dominating second half.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) August 31, 2016
Beckham does not have a lot of breathing room in his fight for a spot on next years Rays team, but if he can continue to put up positive results like he has in the 2nd half, the team will find a way to utilize him in the utility role.
Links:
- A mystery team has claimed Yasiel Puig, and the Dodgers can now work on a trade with that team. Because it has to be said, for the Rays to have had a chance at claiming Puig, every single NL team would have had to pass.
- Former Rays 2nd round pick, LHP Kyle Lobstein was designated for assignment by the Pirates.
- Beyond the Box Score has debuted episode 1 of their new podcast: In Play, Pod(cast).
- If you are in the mood for a good, analytical read on the relative importance of pitch velocity (which I always am), check out this piece done at The Hardball Times by three promising students (Kevin Dorosh, Julia Prusaczyk, and Sara Stokesbury).