The young guns are firing on all cylinders in Tampa Bay as the Ray’s young pitching staff is getting it done for the second place squad.
Tampa Bay (21-16) is nipping at the Sox heels atop the AL East, just a game and a half back, and completed a three game sweep of the Angels on Sunday in Tampa with an 8-5 victory. The win was due largely in part to Carl Crawford’s hot bat and three-run blast but the Rays are also showcasing a lot of young talent in their starting rotation.
The Ray’s 8-5 victory extended their home win streak to nine, a record in the organization’s short existence.
Second year starter Andy Sonnanstine was on display Sunday and received a no decision. The former Kent State standout had a shaky outing but boasts a more than impressive 5-1 record this season.
Sonnanstine’s stuff isn’t exactly overpowering and his pitch repertoire is pretty standard, but what sets him apart is his mental preparation for the game. Andy’s fastball runs between 86-88 mph but his control is strong and he often draws comparison to San Diego’s Greg Maddux. I’m sure you’ve heard of Maddux – he just earned his 350th career victory, becoming just the 9thpitcher in MLB history to record such a feat.
It’s amazing to see what Tampa has been able to accomplish this season without the benefit of their ace Scott Kazmir.
Due to Kazmir’s absence, flamethrower James Shields has been operating as the ace of the young rotation. Shields is a fiery competitor and has rarely disappointed early on this season.
The right-hander from Newhall, California had a relatively unimpressive rookie season, going 6-8 with an ERA above 4. Despite the disappointing first year, Shields’ coaching staff saw promise due to his ability to strike batters out at a high rate.
Already in the 2008 season, Shields has pitched two complete games, allowing a total of three hits in eighteen innings of work. He has great command on his fastball, a pitch he can throw in the mid-to-upper nineties.
Shields is 4-2 this season with a 3.14 ERA.
The Rays will have a solid 1-2-3 punch when the lefty Kazmir returns to the mound healthy.
Unfortunately for the Rays, their downfall this season may come sooner than late, with many weaknesses stemming from their bullpen.
If Tampa is still in the hunt come trade deadline time, manager Joe Maddon and GM Andrew Friedman will be searching for bullpen help, but may be hard pressed to find any.
9 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Mike Kozina about 1 year ago
I would like to know what bullpen weakness you are speaking of. The Rays currently have one of the lowest bullpen ERAs in the league. How about looking at some statistics and doing some research before writing an article for public consumption. Have you even seen a Rays game this year?
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Kevin Luchansky about 1 year ago
I certainly have seen the Rays play this year - would you mind telling me what member of the Rays bullpen is going to be consistent down the stretch and throughout the year for that matter? Tampa's bullpen doesn't even compare to the Sox and though the Yankees aren't getting it done right now they will certainly make a move. The Rays have to worry about two major contenders in the division and I dont see this Rays bullpen being solid enough to make a run in the East. Tampa's ERA is 8th in the MLB right now but the starters deserve most of that credit. Their bullpen has 10 saves and thats average - Baltimore, Boston and New York have more. I would be pretty concerned about a bullpen thats 3rd or 4th in the division alone .
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Mike Kozina about 1 year ago
Their bullpen is second in the league. They have a closer with an ERA of around 1, Troy Percival, you may have heard of him. Dan Wheeler also has an ERA of around 1, also not a fluke. J.P. Howell, good young pitcher, 25 innings of work, 2 and a half ERA. Do you need some more examples or are you to busy eating some Boston Baked Beans and making excuses for Manny's sloppy play in left. Stick to writing about Boston and get back to me when they are looking up at the Rays.
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Mike Kozina about 1 year ago
The Rays just threw back-to-back shutouts against the Angels. Their rotation has almost as many quality starts (20) as the Red Sox (21).
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Kevin Luchansky about 1 year ago
Lets see where the Rays, Troy Percival and Dan Wheeler are a month or two from now. Boston Baked Beans? You must think you're hilarious. This article was about commenting the Rays starting rotation - you're getting worked up about one sentence from the entire article that questions their bullpen. And their bullpen is 8th in the MLB, not second. Pointing out that their starting rotation has nearly as many good starts as the Sox is just helping my arugment. Congratulations to JP Howell and his 25 innings of work - thats not enough to go by.
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Mike Kozina about 1 year ago
1ST Place. Scoreboard baby!!
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Kevin Luchansky about 1 year ago
Good Im happy for the Rays - maybe they should pop the champagne corks and celebrate.
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Thomas Lane 11 months ago
So two months later the Rays bullpen is doing great and Boston is 3 games behind.. Sucks to be you
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Kevin Luchansky 11 months ago
So two months from now, youll be what? Like 13? Theyre 'pen is okay and the season isnt over. Its a prediction article.
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