Rays/April thread

The Real Dalic · Post #41 » by **The Real Dalic** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 12:56 am

Did you guys just see that we claimed some guy named Brandon Allen off waivers? Never heard of him, but Maddon seems to like him. He said he might be a DH on some nights or a 1st baseman. Mainly a pinch hitter though I think.

Post #42 » by **craig01** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 1:02 am

The Real Dalic wrote:Did you guys just see that we claimed some guy named Brandon Allen off waivers? Never heard of him, but Maddon seems to like him. He said he might be a DH on some nights or a 1st baseman. Mainly a pinch hitter though I think.

The "new" Dan Johnson.....LOL

Post #43 » by **craig01** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 1:10 am

Pena was safe, but Longo killed it anyway

Rays up 4-2

Post #44 » by **craig01** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:06 pm

The middle relief is becoming an issue.

They blew another one last night.....

I think Badenhop will be OK if he finds more consistent command, but the rest are flat out weak right now.

The rotation will need to get better and start giving 7 innings.

BTW- I am a little concerned with Moore's velocity last night.....most fastballs were running 93-94 mph while he is usually 95-97.

Optimus_Steel · Post #45 » by **Optimus_Steel** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:17 am

Yes this bullpen issue has cost us several games already. With Friday nite's game being one that clearly we should have won its really frustrating. Bullpen needs to get their ish together.

How abou BJ coming up huge with that 2 out bases loaded hit!

Post #46 » by **craig01** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 2:34 pm

prorl wrote:Yes this bullpen issue has cost us several games already. With Friday nite's game being one that clearly we should have won its really frustrating. Bullpen needs to get their ish together.

How abou BJ coming up huge with that 2 out bases loaded hit!

That was a nice at bat for Upton. In the past he would have taken the called third strike or tried to have pulled the ball.....instead, he just went for contact and dropped a blooper in center.

When/if Upton gains maturity at the plate he just might put it all together. If not, he'll be just a .240 hitter with a lot of K's in clutch situations.

Here is hoping that we are seeing a matured Upton at the plate.

Post #47 » by **craig01** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 4:20 pm

Niemann on the mound today.

He needs to get off to a good start today.

Optimus_Steel · Post #48 » by **Optimus_Steel** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:38 pm

Excellent back to back win on Sat/Sun. Great team effort. Looks like BJ and Jennings are getting into the swing of things.

Optimus_Steel · Post #49 » by **Optimus_Steel** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:41 pm

craig01 wrote:
prorl wrote:Yes this bullpen issue has cost us several games already. With Friday nite's game being one that clearly we should have won its really frustrating. Bullpen needs to get their ish together.

How abou BJ coming up huge with that 2 out bases loaded hit!

That was a nice at bat for Upton. In the past he would have taken the called third strike or tried to have pulled the ball.....instead, he just went for contact and dropped a blooper in center.

When/if Upton gains maturity at the plate he just might put it all together. If not, he'll be just a .240 hitter with a lot of K's in clutch situations.

Here is hoping that we are seeing a matured Upton at the plate.

He has been frustrating. He has had the worst swing selection of anyone. He would swing at pitches 2 feet off the plate but take strikes right down the middle. Seems to me like he would always swing for a homer instead of just making contact like you mentioned. Here is hoping he has finally made that adjustment.

The Real Dalic · Post #50 » by **The Real Dalic** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 11:20 pm

prorl wrote:Excellent back to back win on Sat/Sun. Great team effort. Looks like BJ and Jennings are getting into the swing of things.

Post #51 » by **craig01** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:40 pm

Schedule stays brutal/

Angels up next

Post #52 » by **craig01** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:50 am

Rays up 4-0 in the series opener.

4 solo HR's, Santana taken out

The Real Dalic · Post #53 » by **The Real Dalic** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:30 am

Didn't get to watch this game but it's nice how the bats really came alive tonight.

Post #54 » by **craig01** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:06 am

The Real Dalic wrote:Didn't get to watch this game but it's nice how the bats really came alive tonight.

Price had his best start in two years IMO.

He finally started to mix pitches and took a little bit off his fastball

Well done

Optimus_Steel · Post #55 » by **Optimus_Steel** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:54 am

craig01 wrote:
The Real Dalic wrote:Didn't get to watch this game but it's nice how the bats really came alive tonight.

Price had his best start in two years IMO.

He finally started to mix pitches and took a little bit off his fastball

Well done

Price has always had that issue. He has always been capable of dominating like he did this game but for whatever reason he falls in love with his fastball too much. He has too much talent to just rely on his fastball.

Rays are starting to put things together as a team. Hellickson did a nice job of getting out of trouble and the offense is begining to deliver. Who would have thought that Scott would be leading the team in RBI's at this point. The bullpen looks to be turning the corner after a terrible start.

The Real Dalic · Post #56 » by **The Real Dalic** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 4:57 am

craig01 wrote:
The Real Dalic wrote:Didn't get to watch this game but it's nice how the bats really came alive tonight.

Price had his best start in two years IMO.

He finally started to mix pitches and took a little bit off his fastball

Well done

That's good to hear. Especially after the bad year he had last year. Our starters look really good right now. And Helickson looked real nice last night.

Our bats seem to be getting better as the season progresses. It helps that BJ is back and playing pretty well so far.

The Real Dalic · Post #57 » by **The Real Dalic** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:12 pm

I know this post is way after the game today, but, today's game was a great one to watch! Moore looked good the first 4 innings, then he seemed to get a little tired. He allowed a few hits including a solo homer to Trumbo. But Brandon Allen came in at the bottom of the 9th down one with a guy on first and hits it straight out of the park! Rays win 4-3!

Optimus_Steel · Post #58 » by **Optimus_Steel** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:53 pm

The Real Dalic wrote:I know this post is way after the game today, but, today's game was a great one to watch! Moore looked good the first 4 innings, then he seemed to get a little tired. He allowed a few hits including a solo homer to Trumbo. But Brandon Allen came in at the bottom of the 9th down one with a guy on first and hits it straight out of the park! Rays win 4-3!

Well what about Allen? 2 AB's: game winning RBI walk and the next walk off 2 run homer while down 1. Friedman is looking like a genious right now lol. So much for Matsui.

Moore started off great but lost his focus a bit in the 5th. Seems like a lack of experience type of deal.

Optimus_Steel · Post #59 » by **Optimus_Steel** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 1:18 pm

Nice way to start the series by getting the first game. Davis and Andrus has a huge battle in the 8th with the bases loaded and 2 outs and Davis was finally able to end the threat.

Post #60 » by **craig01** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 3:39 pm

prorl wrote:Nice way to start the series by getting the first game. Davis and Andrus has a huge battle in the 8th with the bases loaded and 2 outs and Davis was finally able to end the threat.

That 11-pitch at bat was epic......highlighted by the near grand slam that drifted slightly foul.

Give Davis credit for staying tough, as that Andrus AB was the critical point in the game.

I love most of what Joe Maddon does, but for the life of me I just don't understand his reliance on JP Howell.

Howell did a nice job in the seventh, but bringing him out to start the 8th against 2 righty batters was reckless. There is a reason why opposing batters are hitting .315 against Howell.

C'mon Joe, stop the JP Howell affliction......Howell is like Duhon IMO....nothing good ever happens when his usage gets overdone.