ARE THE RAYS FOR REAL? Last season the Rays completed one of Major League Baseball’s most improbable runs to the postseason. They were able to makeover their image. Going from perennial AL East doormat to World Series contender, in one season. It became one of the greatest single season turn around's in Major League Baseball’s history.
Unfortunately for the American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays their cinder-fella, fairy tale story was cut short. An now with 41 games complete, the new darling Rays find themselves hovering around .500, with a record of 20-21.
It is way too early to panic, right? The biggest concern for Tampa, so far, has been its pitching staff. The two aces of the staff have not been able to be their dazzling 2008 selves. James Shields is just 3-4 on the season and has been far too inconsistent. Scott Kazmir has struggled too, allowing 10 ER’s in his last two starts (6.97 ERA).
The spark is there, fans are just looking for the fire from last season.
RAY of hope. Last season revealed just how good the Rays were. Led by big name stars as B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford, James Shields, and Scott Kazmir. So Evan Longoria’s explosive start comes as no surprise – 11HR’s and a major league leading 46 RBI’s. People will tell you they expected Longoria to lead the way.
But it is an unusual suspect making things happen for the Rays early on. Jason Bartlett’s hot bat has been a pleasant and welcomed surprise to the Rays dynamic offense early this season. So far, Bartlett boasts the third best batting average in the majors (.380), and in just 138 at-bats this season he has five homeruns (4 more than last seasons one homerun – in 454 at-bats).
Worth the PRICE. David Price. The Tampa Bay Rays made him the first overall pick in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. Last season Price was named the BEST prospect in baseball. So what are the Rays waiting for?
The buzz still looms. With continues speculation as to - When will the Rays prized minor league jewel – DAVID PRICE – get a bona fide chance to prove himself on the big league level?
Patience. That is the name of the Rays organizations philosophy. Trust in that philosophy. After years of 60-win seasons, patience prevailed. Price will get his chance. Just be patience. He is definitely worth the price.
** B.J. Upton’s bat has slowly become more and more alive over the last week of baseball. Not to say he is 100-percent healthy, but the fact that Upton has two homeruns and five steals in the last seven days, shows he is getting better following the off-season shoulder surgery.
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