Archive for May 1st, 2008

May 01

[RI CONFIDENCE GRAPH] The Rays Index Confidence Graph: Week 5

Confidence graph Cork Gaines No Comments »

The Rays Confidence Graph will appear every Wednesday and is a look at how much confidence Rays fans have in the Tampa Bay Rays. The graph is designed to give us a look at how our emotional bias as Rays fans fluctuates through time. The “confidence” in the team is an inexact measure of how fans feel about the team’s current strength as well as how much confidence fans have in the franchise for the next 3-4 years. Notes on this weeks agida-level can be found after the graph..

Notes on the RI Confidence Graph…

  • The most common response for “Confidence in 2008 Rays” was 7 (If things break right, they could be in race for playoffs) with 47.5%.
  • The most common response for “Confidence in future of franchise” was 9 with 38.3%.
  • 80.4% of respondents feel the Rays have a shot at the playoffs in 2008. That number is up from 33.4% a week ago.
  • 97.2% of respondents feel the Rays should be at least a .500 team in 2008. Last week that number was 84.5%.
May 01

[THE HANGOVER] Rays Earn Chance To Win Another Series

Carlos Pena, Delmon Young, Gettin' A Delmon, Jason Hammel, Stuart Sternberg Cork Gaines 4 Comments »


DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA…

  • Last day with a reduced schedule…Things should return back to normal tomorrow. Sue us.
  • Tampa Bay Sports Blog takes a closer look at the Rays defense and sees lots of improvement even if the team does miss Delmon Young in right field…Gotta admit, Young’s arm is the only thing we miss about that guy. [Tampa Bay Sports Blog]
  • The Sporting News believes that the improved defense is why the Rays are winning…We love the new defense, and it is certainly helping the pitching, but the Rays are winning because the entire pitching staff believes they can win. Their is a new confidence we have never seen before. [The Sporting News]
  • Bleacher Report thinks Jason Hammel’s control issues on Tuesday night may have cost the team the game and himself a spot in the rotation. [Bleacher Report]
  • Stuart Sternberg was in attendance in Baltimore and spoke about the new-look Rays. [MLB]
  • Bugs & Cranks suggests a new slogan for the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays based on recent comments by Stuart Sternberg. “Two pounds of bologna in a one pound bag”. We like it. [Bugs & Cranks]
  • Carlos Pena called the accusations that he was trying to steal signs “Totally ridiculous”. [The Heater]
  • 15-12 marks the best opening month in Rays history (actually one win was in March) besting the previous best April of 12-12. [AP]
May 01

[DOWN ON THE FARM] Chuck Tiffany Back On Mound After Nearly 2-Year Absence

Chuck Tiffany, Eduardo Morlan Cork Gaines No Comments »

Durham 2, Richmond 0. Mitch Talbot pitched what may have been his best performance since the 2006 Southern League playoffs by tossing 8 shutout innings last night. He struck out 6 and walks 1 and gave up 5 hits. ..Dale Thayer pitched a perfect 9th for his 5th save…Fernando Perez was 0-2 but did walk twice and stole his 3rd base…Joel Guzman and Reid Brignac provided the RBI, with Brignac batting in the 7th hole. He is hitting .244/.300/.400 on the season.

Huntsville 14, Montgomery 6. Jake McGee got pounded to the tune of 7 runs and was pulled with 2 outs in the 5th…Wade Townsend pitched 1 inning of relief after the game was decided…Ronnie Merrill had a home run for the Biscuits.

Palm Beach 5, Vero Beach 2. Matt Walker was pulled after 3 innings, after he walked 5 batters. Chuck Tiffany relieved him. That was his second appearance this season in his first action since the beggining of the 2006 season. Tiffany was the “other” player acquired along with Edwin Jackson from the Dodgers for Lance Carter and Danys Baez.

Asheville 4, Columbus 2. Brian Flores made only his 2nd start of the year and went only 4 innings, but he did strike out 9 and now has 25 in 19 innings this season…Emeel Salem was 0-4 and did not steal a base.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • Eduardo Morlan will take at least another week off to rest his sore shoulder before beginning to throw again…Rhyne Hughes is close to returning from a concussion. [Montgomery Advertiser]