View from the catwalk: The evolution of pitching

Rays Links

• Marc Topkin sounded an optimistic note, about how playing the Yankees and the Red Sox shows what the Rays are trying to become as they build for the future and transition to a core of young talent.
• Bill Chastain wrote about Matt Duffy’s bounceback season.
• A note in Steve Kinsella’s game recap, Daniel Robertson should come off the disabled list on Friday.
• This isn’t specifically about the Rays, but it’s sort of obliquely about the Rays. Behind the pay wall, but Russell Carleton looked at the evolution of pitchers over the whole course of baseball history, and it’s pretty interesting. The swing toward relievers is a process that started a long time ago.
• Tim Ryder wrote about the Padres situation, and how on the one hand maybe they should be sellers, while on the other hand they’re playing better than expected. As he notes, it’s similar buy/sell decision that the Rays have.

Other Links

• The Astros (that the Rays just dropped the series to) may be the best team in the history of modern baseball.
• David Laurila with Buck Showalter on the changing game.