Rise with the Rays – Tampa Bay Rays News

Rise and Shine with the Rays

Morning Digest of News for the Tampa Bay Rays

Nathan Palatsky of Bleacher Report thinks the Rays are over-rated. It’s getting to be a bit worn, but as it has been over the last few years, there are a lot of skeptics.

Jim Henneman comments on Andy McPhail calling the Rays the “model franchise” in the AL East, or at least the one the Orioles need to model themselves after.

Rays Win! Rays Win! Ok so it was just the first game of the Grapefruit league, but the Tampa Bay Rays got started in the right direction, pounding the Pirates 9-5, led by home runs from Evan Longoria and Sean Rodriquez.

Solid article from Mike Bauman, MLB.com, saying the Rays are “clearly built for sustained success.” I guess Nathan Palatsky read his article too.

For the haters out there, another solid article by Jayson Starks at ESPN.

What people seem to miss is that since the new regime took over Tampa Bay has one two AL East championships in the last three years and won the American League pennant in 2008. With all the hubub about losing key players, what exactly did those players do for the Rays in the AL playoffs? Pena’s power came at a heavy cost…strike outs in critical situations. For a team that had a horrendous .247 batting average last year, Pena’s Gold Glove caliber play at first was wiped out by his .196 BA and .732 OPS.

Tampa’s Bullpen in the making – Sans a sure fire closer, the bullpen may be better than last year.

Is the Garza trade paying off early? Chirinos drives in four in his first game as a Ray