Tampa Bay Rays News and Links: Ugly loss in the Bronx but Rays still in first place

Rays updates

Your Tampa Bay Rays dropped a messy game to the Yankees last night that ended with players milling on the field and Kevin Cash as angry as I’ve ever seen him. The Yankees hit Joey Wendle (looked intentional) and threw a 101 mph fastball to Mike Brosseau’s head (maybe not intentional), but somehow they are the ones who feel aggrieved? The Rays remain in first place in the American League East, 3.5 up on the Yankees. I know the impulse to get payback is strong, but I very much want the team to leave New York with no injuries, no suspensions, and a 4.5 game lead. Everything else is noise.

The Rays Injured List has a new member. Yandy Diaz winced during an at bat during Monday night’s win over the Yankees, and next thing you know he’s placed on the IL with a strained hamstring. I know this is probably just my imagination, but I would swear that guys are more likely to get injured when they are on a hot streak. Diaz has a .428 OBP — yes, he gets on base a lot. Earlier in the season he was taking his walks while slumping a bit, but in recent weeks he’s been a consistent sparkplug in the Rays lineup. This opens up an opportunity for Nate Lowe, who has been at the alternate site all season.

On the bright side, Charlie Morton will be activated for tonight’s game. Not clear how long he’ll pitch (or of course how effective he’ll be — this year, no chance for a tune up in Durham).

I can’t get enough of Tyler Glasnow. If you feel the same way, check out this video:

As you know by now, the Rays did little at the trade deadline, although Ian Malinowski thinks Cory Reed is a good relief pitcher pick up. I’m still not sure what the Brett Phillips trade is about and other Rays trades are all for cash of players to be named later, so no help for the 2020 team. The line on the Rays is that their pitchers due to return from the IL will be their “trade acquisitions.” I can’t say whether there were any useful deals they passed on, but banners fly forever:

MLB Updates

The San Diego Padres apparently think this is their year. They were very busy at the trade deadline, acquiring a bunch of major league talent, including pitcher Mike Clevenger from Cleveland. Dan Szymborski reviews San Diego trades, present and past. Tyler Kepner also reviews the large Padres haul. Oh, and you want more about San Diego’s trade activity? Then check out the Ringer, you can read about it here and here. Rosenthal reviews the deals and expresses surprise that big market teams like the Dodgers and Yankees stayed quiet.

ESPN has a number of trade deadline recaps (although let me just say that I hate that “winners and losers” framing since most of these trades involve prospects whose contributions will come in future years)

The Athletic has some interesting reflections on the state of baseball. Pete Gammons sees strong TV ratings this year and wonders is the league is finally doing something right in its marketing (could be or maybe we’re all at home and desperate for televised entertainment).

Evan Dreilich, who has been excelling in coverage of MLB-wide issues, has a longish article on Manfred’s tenure as commissioner.

But you know what the Athletic doesn’t have? A single word written about your AL-leading Tampa Bay Rays (unless the Yankee beat writer’s report on last night’s hostilities - which in fairness is pretty even-handed). They never assigned a new Rays beat writer when Josh Tolentino left, and so they have basically stopped covering the team. Not what I expected when I renewed my subscription.