Archive for August 6th, 2008

Aug 06

[RI CONFIDENCE GRAPH] The Rays Index Confidence Graph: Week 19

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 8 (They will be in playoff contention all season) with 68.9%.
  • The most common response for “Confidence in future of franchise” was 10 with 52.8%.
  • 100% of respondents feel the Rays have a shot at the playoffs in 2008. That number is up from 96.0% a week ago.
  • 100% of respondents feel the Rays should be at least a .500 team in 2008. Last week that number was 100%.
Aug 06

[THE HANGOVER] Rocco Is Ready; May Be Forced To Wait A Few More Days

Ben Zobrist, BJ Upton, Carl Crawford, Cliff Floyd, Jason Bartlett, Joe Maddon, Jonny Gomes, Rocco Baldelli Cork Gaines 3 Comments »


DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA…

  • BJ Upton was benched for this afternoon’s game for not running out a ground ball back to the pitcher in the 9th inning of last night’s game. Joe Maddon did not rule out using him late in the game. [The Heater]
  • As we expected, Rocco Baldelli is waiting for a roster spot to come available. Marc Lancaster speculates that Ben Zobrist will be sent back to Durham tomorrow when Jason Bartlett is ready to play SS. However, we wonder if Zobrist will stick around as a utility-guy for a few more days as the Rays are not scheduled to face a lefty until at least next Tuesday. [Rays Report]
  • Jason Bartlett and Carl Crawford are both expected back in their familiar positions on Thursday. [MLB]
  • The Tampa [sic] Rays have become the business-model for at least one non-sports entity. [tvnewsday]
  • Remember way back in Spring Training when RF and DH was supposed to be a 3-headed monster, with Jonny Gomes, Cliff Floyd and Rocco Baldelli? Yeah, us neither. [Herald-Tribune]
  • Jonny Gomes is starting to wonder aloud if his career with the Rays is over. [Herald-Tribune]
  • Last night was only the 5th time in franchise history that the Rays posted win #67. Bugs and Cranks compares last night’s win to the previous 4. [Bugs and Cranks]
  • Jerry Crasnick says the Rays are only the 9th best bullpen of all the teams still in contention. [ESPN]
Aug 06

[DOWN ON THE FARM] Zobrist Named IL Player Of The Week

Ben Zobrist, David Price, James Houser Cork Gaines No Comments »

Durham 9, Richmond 6. Heath Phillips made his 2nd start for the Bulls and gave up 2 runs in 5 innings…Juan Salas pitched 2 perfect innings with 4 strikeouts and Scott Dohmann got his 17th save with a perfect 9th…6 different Bulls had at least 2 hits including Justin Ruggiano who finished 3-5 with a double and his 10th home run…John Jaso was 1-5 and Reid Brignac was 2-5 with 2 strike outs batting in the 2-hole. Brignac has been hitting in the bottom-third of the order most of the season.

Montgomery 9, West Tenn 4. Mike Prochaska gave up 4 runs in 6 innings…Eddie Morlan pitched 2 perfect innings of relief with 2 strike outs…Gaby Martinez (18), Rhyne Hughes (11) and Matt Spring (6) homered for the Biscuits.

Brevard Co. 3, Vero Beach 0. Brandon Mann struck out 7 in 5 innings, giving up 4 hits, 1 walk and 3 runs (2 earned)…Vero Beach managed only 3 hits.

Columbus 4, Asheville 2. Alex Cobb allowed only 2 hits in 6 shutout innings. He struck out 4 and walked 1 as he improved to 8-7 with a 3.17 ERA…Mike McCormick was 0-4 with the “Golden Sombrero”. He struck out 4 times.

Hudson Valley (off-day)

Kingsport 5, Princeton 4. Tim Beckham had 3 hits, including 2 doubles in 5 at bats. He raised his average to .226.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • David Price says he approaches every batter as if that batter is standing between him and the big leagues. [Yahoo! Sports]

“I want to be there today. That’s me,” said Price, a hard-throwing, 6-foot-6 lefty. “I have no say in that. It’s just whenever they feel I’m ready.”

  • Ben Zobrist was named the IL player of the week…We are guessing here, but we assume that Benny Boo Boo is glad he is not around to collect his prize, which we assume is his very own Wool E. Bull Team Head (kinda like a foam cheesehead). [The Raw Feed]
  • James Houser threw his first simulated game after knee surgery and everything went well, throwing only fastballs and changeups. [Montgomery Advertiser]