Tampa Bay Rays News and Links: Let’s keep winning series

Rays News

The Rays completed a “mini-sweep” of the Philadelphia Phillies. They are now in first place in the AL East, and tied for the best record in baseball. They take on the Yankees today, opening a four-game series in the Bronx. The Yankees are coming off the short end of a sweep at the hands of the Detroit Tigers (you hate to see it!)

In honor of Memorial Day, please take a look at this moving story that features both Tropicana Field and former Ray Alex Cobb.

Chris Archer has always talked about his parents and how important they have been to him. Here he opens up about the recent loss of his mother. ($)

Do you like some good trash talk? Here’s Ryan Thompson on the upcoming series with the Yankees.

Luis Patiño has been reinstated from the IL, but optioned to Durham. I’m sure he’ll be back in St. Pete before long:

Old friend alert: former Rays reliever (and Dewayne Staats son-in-law) Dan Wheeler will be coaching high school players in Clearwater:

Stadium updates: The Rays stadium saga now seems like an especially confusing episode of television show Billions.

As though the Rays future/stadium situation were not stressful enough (for fans who would like to have a local team beyond 2027), the past few days have made things even more complex.

First, as we’ve previously reported, principal owner Stuart Sternberg is being sued by his minority partners. To be clear, we at DRaysBay have no idea whether their charges are meritorious. Anyone can allege anything. But the suit does have wider implications, with St. Pete’s Mayor Rick Kriseman saying he can’t continue conversations with the Rays while the suit is pending.

Even without the law suit, the upcoming St. Petersburg municipal elections are complicating both the overall Tropicana Field redevelopment plan (those running to replace Kriseman want him to put the process on hold) and negotiations with the team($). Several mayoral candidates have departed from Kriseman in their willingness to discuss keeping the Rays for just half of the season.

Can we then throw in new buzz about the possibility of a Hillsborough County/Tampa stadium?

Oh, and of course the team has strategically leaked Nashville as another possible relocation site. ($)

Around the League

Disturbing news out of Atlanta. Marcell Ozuna has been arrested after assaulting his wife.

Sara Sanchez spends some time looking at the least competitive teams in the American League, because every team has at least a glimmer of hope...and some good story lines.

I don’t love it when he’s hitting dingers off the Rays, but I am glad to see Vladimir Guerrero Jr. becoming the player we knew he could be.

This past weekend (or maybe a few days earlier? it’s complicated) the two millionth run in baseball history was scored. History buffs will get a kick from this article about record keeping, run scoring, and milestones ($).

Ouch?

Rays fans have seen dominant Blake Snell, and have seen every-at-bat-a-full-count-with-8 foul-balls Blake Snell. Look like Padres may be getting the latter. Here’s a breakdown of what isn’t going right for the lefty:

Champa Bay News

The Tampa Bay Lightning won the first game of their round two playoff series, beating the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1. And the University of South Florida men’s baseball team has won their conference and will play in the college World Series: