The Tampa Bay Rays, off to a 21-7 start are looking for a repeat of the 2008 magic that saw them get to the World Series. That year, the Philadelphia Phillies came in a bit hotter and came away with the title. Tampa Bay plays in arguably the toughest division in baseball, with the evil empire Yankees, along with the always ultra competitive Boston Red Sox. Also in the division, the Toronto Blue Jays have gotten off to a respectable start; 17-13.
Tampa Bay is full of major league talent, and many scouts have talked about the Rays minor league system being stockpiled with major league ready ballplayers. Tampa Bay has out-scored their opponents 168-85 on the season, which is the largest margin in all of baseball.
The pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays rank 1st in five of six categories. They have a 2.84 earned run average, .219 opponents batting average against, .654 OPS 1.14 WHIP and 20 quality starts. Matt Garza has been the staff ace for Tampa Bay with a 5-1 record and a 2.09 earned run average. Garza has struck out 39 batters, while walking just 14. Another top starter has been youngster David Price. In five starts, Price is 3-1 with a 2.34 earned run average. James Shields is 4-0 as well for Tampa Bay.
The offense for Tampa Bay has been spectacular as well. Evan Longoria is batting .349 with 7 homeruns and 23 runs batted in, as well as 27 runs scored – all to lead the team. The Rays as a team are batting .264, which ranks 8th in the American League. The Rays have scored 168 runs, which ranks first in the American League. Carl Crawford has been red-hot for the Rays, as well with 11 doubles, as he is hitting .343 in 28 games played.
Tampa Bay coming into Friday night’s game has won four straight games and nine of their last 11. The Rays are in the middle of a nine game road trips with stops in Oakland and Anaheim remaining. Tampa Bay will face some of their toughest tasks towards the later part of May when they play at Yankee Stadium for two, followed by a home series with the Boston Red Sox.
If Tampa Bay is going to repeat their 2008 magic, they will have to do what they did best that year – beat New York and Boston. Losing two of three to New York earlier in the season was not a tremendous start, but the three game sweep of Boston certainly showed some life. The American League East is up for grabs, but certainly the Tampa Bay Rays are in the mix.
