Sep 14
Archive for September 14th, 2008
Sep 14
[HAPPY HOUR] King David Price Debuts; Magic Number Now 8
David Price, Jeff Niemann, Joe Maddon, Matt Garza, Playoffs? No Comments »Despite the Rays’ loss today against the Yankees and the Red Sox win at home against the Jays, the Rays were able to lower their magic number to clinch at least a wild card in the American League. That is because the Orioles took down the Twinkies 7-3.
Yes RAYSHEADS, the Magic Number is now 8* to clinch a playoff spot.
Also, David Price made his major league debut today in Yankee stadium against the same team he made his professional debut against in Spring Training.
King David relieved Edwin Jackson in the 3rd inning and immediately made an impression, retiring the side on 7 pitches, including a strike out of Ivan Rodriguez to end the inning. He worked 5.1 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits. He struck out 4 and walked none. He retired the first 6 batters he faced before giving up a solo home run to Derek Jeter.
With Matt Garza announced to be the Wednesday starter on three days rest, the 87 pitches thrown by Price leaves us wondering if the Rays still plan on keeping Price in the bullpen for the immediate future. Price will likely be unavailable to pitch again until Thursday at the earliest. If the Rays do indeed want Price to start one game in the Sept. 23 double-header, he may not be able to make an appearance until that Tuesday. If Price is to go on a full 4-days rest that day, Thursday is also the last day in which he would be available out of the ‘pen. In theory, Price could work an inning or two on Friday or Saturday and just be used for 4-5 innings in the double-header, with Jeff Niemann available in relief. However, that scenario seems unlikely.
Look for Joe Maddon to address this situation in the next day or two.
*The White Sox and the Twins play each other 3 more times. With the White Sox still set to play a double-header today, the most wins the second place team in the Central can have is 94. So technically, the Rays magic number is 7. We could mark off the “guaranteed” loss now or we can do it when it actually happens…We choose the latter.
Sep 14
One year ago on Rays Index we saw exactly how close the Rays came to blowing a chance at drafting David Price. With 17 games to play the Rays had to overcome a 1.5 game lead over the Kansas City Royals.
The David Price Sweepstakes [Rays Index]
Sep 14
[THE HANGOVER] David Price Could Make First Start As Early As Wednesday
BJ Upton, Carl Crawford, David Price, Evan Longoria, James Shields, Jason Bartlett, Jeff Niemann, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Maddon, Jose Molina, Matt Garza, Mitch Talbot, Stuart Sternberg 7 Comments »
THE GOOD: James Shields. It had been a while since we had seen Shields paint one of his Shieldsian Masterpieces. When Shields is on his game as he was yesterday, it is like watching a young Greg Maddux. The Greg Maddux that actually threw fastballs in the low 90s and would work 8 innings. It really is a thing of beauty. 8 innings, 6 strikeouts, no walks. In only 1 inning (6th) did a runner even reach second base. We call him “James the Greater”. But maybe “Bulldog” is more appropriate.
THE BAD: In the nightcap, Ben Zobrist put the Rays in a position to win with his second career grand slam and then put the Rays in a position to lose with his 7th error of the season. Instead of an inning-ending double play, Zobrist threw an easy toss to second into right field, leading to 2 runs…The Rays had at least 2 runners on base in each of the first 3 innings and failed to score…Prior to Ben Zobrist’s grand slam, the Rays were 0-8 with runners in scoring position (if you count Fernando Perez’ “sacrifice” in the 2nd when he was trying to bunt for a basehit)…After Ben Zobrist’s grand slam with 1 out in the 4th, Yankees pitchers faced the minimum over the next 14 batters until Gabe Gross singled off of Mo Rivera to lead off the 9th…Matt Garza’s control. He only walked 3 batters in 5 innings, but of his 83 pitches only 47 were strikes (57%).
THE TELLING: In the first game of the double-header, both Ben Zobrist and Fernando Perez, switch-hitters, batted right-handed against the righty Mike Mussina. Joe Maddon told both players they could start as long as they went along with the plan. Combined, they went 2-5 with a single and a double against Moose.
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- Our good friends at The Serious Tip, turn 2 today…Happy Birthday! [The Serious Tip]
- Because Joe Maddon switched Matt Garza and James Shields in the rotation on Friday and Saturday and because of the subsequent rainout on Friday, the Rays are without a starter for Wednesday’s game against the Red Sox. That game would have been Garza’s start and Papa Joe could still decide use Garza despite only 3 days rest. Garza only threw 83 pitches last night. Or Maddon could decide to use one of the trio of starters just called up from triple-A, David Price, Jeff Niemann or Mitch Talbot…This is where we would normally make an educated guess as to what Maddon will do. However this time we have no clue. We could make an argument for all 4. Our gut says Niemann. Thoughts? [St. Pete Times]
- Reason number 705 that we love Stuart Sternberg and why the Rays are lucky to work for him. [Tampa Tribune]
“I just want to be there with the Red Sox fans when they cheer Jeter on, and A-Rod, and their former Damon, and Giambi, and the whole crew. All the guys that they love all year long, year after year, as they sit there and root for them to get hits and strikeouts and all that good stuff. I’d love to share a bar seat with a couple of Sox fans as they root for the Yankees.”
- Rays The Stakes wants to know why Troy Percival is still the Rays closer. [Rays The Stakes]
- John Romano thinks Francisco Rodriguez is a better comparison for David Price than Joba Chamberlain. [St. Pete Times]
- We saw in the nightcap that BJ Upton was sporting a fresh mohawk. And now we read that Evan Longoria went mohawk in between yesterday’s games. Anybody have pictures? [St. Pete Times]
- Jose Molina took exception to being hit by James Shields in the 6th inning of the opener with the Rays up 7-0. Molina gave a long stare to Shields and then was called for interference when he went out of the baseline to try and kick Jason Bartlett, while sliding into second on a double play. [Rays Report]
- The Charleston Post and Courier interviewed Carl Crawford, in which he states a strong desire to have a grass ballpark for the Rays. [Charleston Post and Courier]
- If there is any doubt that a sports franchise can survive in the Bay Area, Forbes ranks the Tampa Bay Bucs as tied for the 6th most valuable team in football at $1.1 billion. [Forbes]
