RealGM

72-63

Almost always a breakdown.

What is sad is that the Rays can not blame this season on health. At least that is a good excuse.

This team does not stay focused.....

Blame it on?

the pitching was horrible. No where as consistent as it was last year and garza and shields and kazmir, when here, never had the consistent stuff. blew games with our bullpen. Offensively upton wasn't anywhere near where he was in the playoffs.

Maddon continues to over manage and mismanage the bullpen.

Today was just another example of how boneheaded a manager can be.....

one walk and your out is how it goes i guess?

Maddon is the classic case of a manager using too much information and denying himself the use of common sense at times.

The entire bullpen is worn down, and much of the blame should be placed on Maddon for his constant situational pitching changes.

Remember, every time a pitcher warms up, he's throwing around 40 pitches just to get ready.

Most pitchers can't do that almost every day.

This bullpen is done for the year as is.

Well guess we have to look forward to next year.
Pena out for the year.

Had the Rays had this year last year, and last year this year....all would be honky dory.

Last night's loss to the Yanks was typical Joe being silly with his astonishing misuse of his pitching staff.

Niemann was great through seven, had thrown a lot of pitches but was able to pitch out of jams all night.

He starts the 8th, gives up a lead off hit and gets yanked.

In comes Cormier who is ineffective.

In comes Shouse, who has been ineffective, and looks solid in getting a K.

Pinch hitter is Posada, so out comes Shouse who appears sharp.

In comes "one pitch" Balfour, who has choked numerous times in late inning situations, has been awful lately, who then gives up the predictable 3 run blast to Posada.

Joe Mad "dumb" ends up using 5 pitchers in the 8th, giving up 4 runs.

Frustrating as hell.......

story of the rays season

And now they can not hit either.

http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/16719/20090917/crawford_blows_up_at_burrell/ What was this all about? Losing maybe.

It's about a long season that has become a bitter collapse.

Emotions and actions flared up.

IMO, it's actually a good thing in the clubhouse.

Watch'em regain focus now.....and finish on an upturn.

Davis looked really good last night. Could he be in the rotation next year?

Diehardmagicfan wrote:Davis looked really good last night. Could he be in the rotation next year?

He is probably the major reason that Kazmir is gone. (besides the savings $$$$$).

Davis is mostly ready and has been dominant in 2 of 3 starts.

It won't be that easy for him next year once opposing teams get a bead on him, but he's got a lot of grit. He won't be worse than Sonnastine or kazmir the last 2 years.

Rays got their bats back last night

Looks like the Crawford/Burrell altercation has lifted a lot of tension.

They are playing loose now.

Well hoping that the rays will end on a good note to have some optimism for next season.

They'll be fine.

This had been a season of complacency and miscues.