Reality of the Tampa Bay Rays

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Another real disappointment has been Sonnanstine, who has so far this season posted a treacherous 6.60 ERA and is 5-7 on the season. 

The Rays rotation needs to start picking each other up on a more consistent basis.  After all, Garza, Shields and Kazmir are all No. 2 guys who have the potential of being No. 1's.  In order for the Rays to make any move to the top of the division the pitching needs to start going deeper into games and being more consistent. 

If Shields has a rough outng one week, it is that much more important for Garza to come out the night after and really pitch through sixth or seventh inning, and vice versa. 

Other real blemishes through the course of the season have been Pat Burrell and Grant Balfour.  Burrell was highly signed and was looked to as the DH guy that would perhaps put their lineup over the top in producing more home runs and more RBI. He has yet to do that. Burrell is hitting only .234 with only one home run and 17 RBI. 

Understandably, Burrell was sidelined for about a month due to a neck injury, but the lack in his production is still very frustrating, and I'm sure makes it hard for manager Joe Maddon to find him a spot in the order. 

Balfour is yet another question mark for the Rays.  Balfour is the Rays' fire-baller and really needs to settle down and start delivering, as he has proved he can last year. It is imperative to come in big in middle innings for the Rays in close games.  If he can get it together, he will be another big key for the Rays ability to get it back together.

The Rays have been down so far this season, but they are far from being counted out.  With many big injuries due to key players such as Scott Kazmir, B.J. Upton, Pat Burrell, Jason Bartlett, Scott Percival, and Akinori Iwamura, who will most likely miss the rest of the season with an ACL tear, are right on track to have a big second half of the season. 

There is a lot of season left and many games for the Rays to really stiffen up, get healthy and make a charge for that No. 1 or wild-card spot in the American League. After all, this team has really held their own with the amount of injuries they have sustained.  On the other hand, perhaps a few changes, or few notable players stepping up will be all these Tampa Bay Rays need to once again open Major League Baseball fans' eyes and let people know, once again, that they are for real.         

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