Ray Pride: How the Tampa Bay Rays have Won

Respective to the rest of the league, the relievers have a slightly worse K/9, and a substantially worse K/BB. And all of this while the club has received better than expected production out of veteran relievers Wheeler, Balfour, and Miller. Even a crash from one of the aforementioned three wouldn't really hurt the bullpen.

I would also anticipate a slightly superior pitcher to be acquired near the deadline to make up for the expected crash.

My verdict is the same as it was in March; the Rays are for real. I'd love to see the club make a few moves with some of their surplus young arms. While they may be moves that bite them in three to four years, it won't be so painful that they are in the Mets' situation.

Also, consider what a real run in August and September will do for a fanbase that has been fairly stagnant since the club's inception. Furthermore, what if the P-word happens, imagine the revenues that would stream in from that, not only for 2008, but also for 2009. The new ballpark may become more of a reality with an excited fan base.

Additionally, keep in mind that the Rays do not have a whole lot of major holes within the current roster. The club we see on the field today should not be much different from the club we see on the field in 2010.

Making certain prospects untouchable is reasonable. However, if the club can find a way to land a starter in C.C. Sabathia, a reliever like Heath Bell, Brian Fuentes, or George Sherrill, and a hitter like Raul Ibanez, I am certain the Rays have enough chips to make trades such as these, while not affecting the long-term plans of the franchise. 

In a weekly column by Jayson Stark of ESPN, he concludes that the Rays are, in fact, for real. The debate continued with a live chat, where presumably Sox fans jeered at all of the injuries the Red Sox have accumulated.

Each of those who brought that point up negated the fact that Kazmir missed all of April, Pena missed all of May, and Percival missed most of May. While the injuries are less, this is to be expected as young players traditionally have fewer injury issues.

Stark, and certain Sox-haters, point out that the Rays had the toughest first-half schedule, and that things will presumably get easier before they get harder.

Furthermore, the Rays, as Stark mentions, have an outstanding record against teams with a .500+ winning percentage. In fact, the Rays have the best winning percentage against these teams.

Also working in favor of the Rays is their sudden home-field advantage. While the club performs well on the road (one of four AL teams with a winning record away), their home record is outstanding, and has become a downright advantage since the end of April.

Additionally, Nate Silver of Baseball Prospectus writes (subscription required) that the Rays have traditionally been particularly strong at home.  

RAY PRIDE!

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