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May 2, 2008
Pretty brash headline today on the official Web site of the Tampa Bay Rays: "Rays aim for second sweep of Red Sox." Let's submit right off the top that the boys from Tampa should win the first game, or better yet the first two games, of the series before they start thinking about sweeps. On the other hand, the Rays have reason for a little swagger as they visit Fenway Park for the first time this season. Tampa Bay took three straight from the Red Sox last weekend, their pitching seemed to start Boston on its current offensive tailspin, and the Rays open the series percentage points ahead of the Red Sox for first place in the American League East. Their three wins in three tries against Boston puts them just two wins short of equalling their total in 18 games against the Sox last season. And if they win tonight, they'll be five games over .500 for the first time in franchise history.
Devil Rays blogger R.J. Anderson reports that, "more and more Rays gear is being worn and bought around town and by all indications the doubters are starting to go to the park in order to question Joe Maddon's philosophies instead of staying home."
And then there is Jack Curry of The New York Times, writing today that the young Rays have given the Yankees a model to emulate. The Yankees chasing the Rays? Now we know we're living in a world turned (at least temporarily) upside-down.
In the last few years, the Rays have had an OK offense coupled with horrendous pitching. So far this year, they have middling offensive stats, while the pitching has actually carried the load. Even in the absence of ace starter Scott Kazmir (expected to make his first start of the season this weekend), the Rays are second in the American League in team E.R.A. (3.61) and first in the major leagues in bullpen E.R.A. (2.44). Tampa Bay pitchers have surrendered fewer hits (218) than any other American League team's staff, and only three A.L. teams have walked fewer batters (90). And it's not like they've been facing weak offenses either -- their schedule has featured six games against the Yankees, three against the Red Sox, three against the high-payroll Seattle Mariners and three against the AL Central-leading White Sox.
Star performers so far for the Rays pitching have included closer Troy Percival (10 games, no runs allowed, six saves), setup man and Pilgrim High School product Dan Wheeler (13 games, 1.20 E.R.A., but with an 0-2 record), and starters James Shields (3-1, 2.54) and Edwin Jackson (2-2, 3.86). Jackson, one of three current major leaguers born in West Germany, goes tonight at Fenway.
So now we ask you: Are the Rays contenders, or are they pretenders?
Posted by Mike McDermott 
at 1:51 PM | Permalink
