It's been a very long time since I posted about the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays. My last post on the topic was the Rays' fourth loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2008 World Series.
I had expected a better season in 2009 based on the seasoning of the Rays top three starting pitchers. That didn't pan out for a variety of reasons, and since it's no longer 2009 and that topic has already received ample discussion, it's on to 2010.
The loss of J. P. Howell had me very concerned headed into the season. The bullpen was a pretty big question mark. On the other hand, the five starting pitchers had all shown some good indications of promise. And the team in the field seemed stronger at the plate with the addition of Sean Rodriguez, though second baseman Akinori Iwamura's defensive skills would be missed. I thought the Rays would be better than in 2009 but with no guarantee of reaching the postseason because the Yankees and the Red Sox have noticed the competition and tried to take steps to stay at the top of the division.
Thursday night, the Rays beat the Yankees to sweep a two game series in the Bronx. The win increased the Rays' lead over the second place Yankees to five games. No other team in the Major Leagues has a lead that size, and the Yankees would have the best record in baseball (actually second to the Philadelphia Phillies, after review) if the Rays were suddenly plucked from the league.
That means that the baseball team from Tampa Bay is playing extremely well.
The formula is the same one that led to success in 2008: Solid pitching, great defense and persistence at the plate.
Through this point of the season, each of the five starters has performed extremely well, with righty Matt Garza (5-1, 2.38) and lefty David Price (6-1, 1.81) putting up the kind of numbers that might lead to All-Star selection.
Though the team batting average sits at an unspectacular .257, the Rays stand close to the league lead in runs scored. The Rays have improved situational hitting under new hitting coach Derek Shelton and taken an aggressive approach to base running.
The result: winning baseball and perhaps the most entertaining team in the Majors.
Fun stuff.
May 21, 2010: Amended the shrunken status I saddled on the Phlllies
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