After having the day off on Monday, the Rays pummeled the Red Sox 11-3 yesterday.
No better way to celebrate our birthday #RaysWin! pic.twitter.com/wP6TuWiLx1
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 9, 2021
- Willy, Ji-Man and Airplane Boy were among those who contributed.
And here is Willy with the second RBI single of the inning as the Rays go up 3-0pic.twitter.com/Kw2O0s8qZd
— Rays The Roof Network (@RaysTheRoofTB) March 9, 2021
Here is the Ji-man RBI singlepic.twitter.com/nYKlpjk3ze
— Rays The Roof Network (@RaysTheRoofTB) March 9, 2021
HE WANTED THREE
— Rays The Roof Network (@RaysTheRoofTB) March 9, 2021
Rays up 1-0 after Phillips triples and Yandy singles him home #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/9YK5EZrVDl
- Shane McClanahan also looked sharp.
Shane McClanahan, K'ing the Side. pic.twitter.com/8MjGboPO3E
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 9, 2021
- But the highlight of the day probably came before they got underway, when Tricia Whitaker unloaded the fantastic rendition of the National Anthem.
#Rays anthem today by multitalented @FOXSportsRays reporter @TriciaWhitaker, who was in the camera well as the video played: pic.twitter.com/EWlPMUHRtS
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 9, 2021
- Today, the Rays will take on Rocco Baldelli and the Twins at Port Charlotte. The 1PM game will be on Fox Sports Sun, with Dewayne Staats scheduled to be on the call.
- The 2021 promotional scheduled is out!
The Rays have announced their promotional schedule for this season: pic.twitter.com/f5g8PbaadR
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) March 9, 2021
- But which teams will have fans in the stands?
- Topper on the veteran rotation.
#Rays have some impressive young pitchers, such as Fleming, McClanahan, Patino. But it looks like they will open the season with a group of veteran starters - two they had, three they added. #Padres #Braves #Mets #MnTwins #Cardinals #Pirates https://t.co/q6MNhFYE9x
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 10, 2021
- Brendan McKay with a weird Spring Training injury.
A classic of the "weird Spring Training injury" genre: Rays two-way player Brendan McKay had to push back a few throwing sessions in his shoulder rehab because he nicked his left index finger while trying to cut tags off some dog toys.
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) March 9, 2021
- Adam Berry on how the Rays outfielders feed off each other.
- Old friend Blake Snell thinks the ball is different.
Padres starter Blake Snell has noticed the laces are thicker in the new baseball, allowing him to dig in his fingers so he can more easily throw breaking balls. He also noticed fly balls not carrying as much as they might have previously.
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) March 9, 2021
“It’s definitely a different ball.”
- Another old friend alert. It’s great when nice things happen to good people. Kelly Nash announced her engagement to Dallas Keuchel. Congrats, Kelly and Dallas!
imagine falling in love and it works out for the rest of your life ♥️ @kidkeuchy pic.twitter.com/K9K3Kry9Cb
— Kelly Nash (@KellyNash) March 10, 2021
- Jayson Stark on why Juan Soto could be the next Ted Williams.
It takes courage to mention any hitter’s name in the same breath as an all-time great, but @jaysonst is going there.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 8, 2021
It may seem like a wild comparison at first. But the numbers back it up:
At 22, Juan Soto is on track to be the next Ted Williams.https://t.co/XLMSVA3Vzc
- From Michael Clair, 25 guys who went all-in on photo day.
- Anthony Castrovince with Seven Spring Declarations.
- Abbey Mastracco on baseball’s toxic culture.
- Zack Britton will miss the start of the season as he recovers from elbow surgery to remove bone chips.
- The Orioles shared a mesmerizing clip of knuckleballer Mickey Jannis unloading some straight up witchcraft.
"Spin rate? Where we're going, we don't need a spin rate." pic.twitter.com/4rX4Qd2eku
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) March 9, 2021
- This is a long thread with Josh Donaldson, but it’s very good and worth your time.
Vs late and speeding the barrel up through the zone. Remember Bruce Lee, “ I am water”
— Josh Donaldson (@BringerOfRain20) March 10, 2021
- BPro with another look at the TTO penalty.
- Jake Odorizzi’s contract with the Astros shows the influence of the Opener.
Thanks to The Opener, we'll likely see more provisions like this... pic.twitter.com/gabzZkcfkL
— Tangotiger (@tangotiger) March 9, 2021
- Phillies reliever Rheal Cormier passed away on Tuesday. He was 53.
We are saddened to learn of the passing of former relief pitcher Rheal Cormier after a courageous battle with cancer: https://t.co/VqcNlKcYCf pic.twitter.com/FB6wXMnlW5
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 8, 2021