MLB The Show 25 Franchise Discussion

[jamm113]

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⚾ ESPN | Rays Insider | March 28, 2025


“Rays Ride Youth and Grit to Opening Day Win Amid Uncertain Future”
By Jonah Fields, ESPN Senior Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — In a building that might not host baseball for much longer, the Tampa Bay Rays opened their 2025 season with a perfectly “Rays” performance: gritty, efficient, and powered by names the league is just beginning to learn.

Tropicana Field was sold out — a rare sight — as 24,985 fans watched Tampa squeeze past the Colorado Rockies, 3-2, in a game where every pitch felt like a microcosm of the franchise's identity.

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⚡ Rookie Spark, Veteran Edge


With ace Shane McClanahan unavailable until midseason, all eyes were on Drew Rasmussen, who was sharp early with five strikeouts over 5.2 innings before handing it off to Tampa’s trademark bullpen carousel.

But it was Junior Caminero, the 21-year-old phenom many believe could define the Rays' future, who stole the spotlight. He flashed leather on defense and set up a go-ahead double in the 4th inning with a confident single to center.

“He plays like he's been here 10 years,” manager Kevin Cash said. “When the lights are on, he gets sharper. That’s special.”

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📈 "Projected to Lose, Built to Win"


MLB The Show 25’s simulated forecast projected the Rays to finish 70–92, but don’t tell the clubhouse that.

After an early 2-1 deficit sparked by Mickey Moniak’s 445-foot bomb in the 5th, Tampa leaned on the fringe and the future. Jose Caballero delivered a clutch RBI single in the 7th, then stole second with the swagger of a man fighting for the city’s baseball soul. His line: 2-3, RBI, 2 SB.

Josh Lowe, seemingly under-hyped every spring, launched the team’s first home run of the year in the 4th to tie the game.

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⚙️ Rays Bullpen Machine Starts Strong


With Pete Fairbanks slamming the door with three strikeouts in the 9th (sandwiched around a two-out double), and Garret Cleavinger escaping the 7th with a crisp double play, the Rays’ relief crew picked up right where it left off in 2024: stingy, unflinching, and frustrating to hit.

“You don’t get comfortable against these guys,” Rockies outfielder Jordan Beck said postgame. “They don’t miss spots.”

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💬 Postgame Vibes

Junior Caminero: “I just want to help win. I don't care if I hit ninth or third. I’ll show up.”

Kevin Cash on Caballero: “He’s not just filling in. He’s taking ownership.”

Attendance Watch: Sellout crowd of 24,985 — crucial as Tampa begins its revenue chase to avoid relocation. One team exec was overheard calling it “a $2 million night.”

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📊 Final Box


Rockies: 2 R | 9 H | 0 E
Rays: 3 R | 7 H | 0 E Notables:

• Rays: Josh Lowe (2-4, HR), Caballero (2-3, RBI, 2 SB), Aranda (2-3, 2B, RBI)
• Rockies: Moniak (2-4, HR), Beck (2-4, 2B), Marquez (6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 6 K)

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🔜 Coming Up


Tampa hosts game two of the Rockies series tomorrow night. Zach Eflin is expected to start against Cal Quantrill, with eyes on whether Yandy Díaz can break out of a quiet 0-4, 2K Opening Day.

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[jamm113]

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⚾ ESPN | Rays Insider | March 29, 2025


"Caminero Heats Up, Aranda Goes Deep Twice, and Rays Win Opening Series"
By Jonah Fields, ESPN Senior Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The Tampa Bay Rays left Opening Weekend with a clear message: the projections don’t matter — they plan to contend. Despite a rough start from Shane Baz in Game 2, the Rays bounced back with a powerful 6-2 win to take the series against the Colorado Rockies two games to one.

In a season shadowed by relocation rumors and budget constraints, the Rays’ youth movement is already shaping the storylines, and the bats are waking up.

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🌀 Game 2: Toglia Torments Rays, Baz Bombed


Game 2 was a lesson in growing pains.
Shane Baz, making his return after a long layoff, couldn’t escape the third inning. The Rockies erupted for five runs in the third, with Michael Toglia going 3-for-5 with a homer and 3 RBI. Baz finished with 6 ER in just 2.1 innings, putting Tampa behind early.

“It felt like every count was 2-0,” Baz admitted. “I didn’t execute, plain and simple.”

Despite a 3-hit day from Jake Mangum and another 2-RBI effort by Caminero, the Rays couldn’t claw back. Final: Rockies 9, Rays 5.

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💣 Game 3: Yandy Wakes Up, Aranda Explodes


Game 3 flipped the script.
Taj Bradley looked like an ace-in-the-making, tossing 8 strong innings with 6 Ks and 2 ER in the 8th.

The offense came alive:

• Jonathan Aranda crushed two solo shots,
• Yandy Díaz snapped out of his mini-slump with a 416-ft no-doubter,
• Kameron Misner and Matt Thaiss added long balls of their own.

“This is what it looks like when our depth works,” manager Kevin Cash said. “Taj set the tone, and the bats answered.”

Final: Rays 6, Rockies 2.

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🌊 Clubhouse Vibes & Injury Report

• Junior Caminero: Hitting .417 through three games, showing early All-Star potential.
• Yandy Díaz: After a slow start (0-8), breaks out in Game 3 with a multi-hit performance and HR.
• Xavier Isaac (AAA): Shoulder strain, out 1–2 weeks. Designated to 10-day IL.
• Catcher rotation: Danny Jansen and Matt Thaiss both getting starts early. Watch for hot-hand approach.

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🗺️ AL East Standings (Thru March 30)

Rays	2-1	W-L-W
Yankees	2-1	L-W-W
Orioles	2-2	L-W-L-W
Blue Jays	2-2	W-W-L-L
Red Sox	1-3	L-W-L-L

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📈 Around the League: Early Surprises & Standouts

🔥 AL Standouts:

• HR Leaders: Shea Langeliers, Cal Raleigh, Aaron Judge, Austin Wells (2 HR each)
• RBI Leaders: Andrés Giménez, Ryan O’Hearn (6 RBI)
• Pitching Dominance:
  • Luke Weaver: 2-0 start
  • Kris Bubic & Nathan Eovaldi: Early shutouts
  • Hunter Brown (11K) and Jacob deGrom (10K) firing early warning shots

🔥 NL Watch:

• Michael Toglia: Already a Rays killer, sits atop the HR leaderboard (2 HR)
• Connor Norby (BAL): 7 RBI and 4 doubles through 4 games
• Spencer Strider: Filthy 12-strikeout debut

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⚓ Next Port: Pittsburgh Pirates (3 Games)


Home series begins March 31.

Projected starters:

• Game 1: Ryan Pepiot
• Game 2: Zach Littell vs. Paul Skenes (PIT debut alert)
• Game 3: Drew Rasmussen

⚠️ Game 2 Circle-It Moment: All eyes on Paul Skenes, the Pirates’ flame-throwing phenom. Could this be a national spotlight game for MLB?

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[countryboy]

Cardinals take series from Blue Jays as calendar flips to August

RECORD: 62-50
DIVISION: +4 OVER CUBS
WILCARD: -

The Cardinals took 2 games of a 3 game series from the Blue Jays over the weekend in St.Louis. After dropping the series opener on Friday with Dustin May on the mound, the Cardinals would win Saturday and Sunday behind terrific pitching from both Sonny Gray and Michael McGreevy.

Michael McGreevy continues to be a pleasant surprise as he is 4-0 thru 5 starts with an ERA of just over 3.

Dustin May's start on Friday was a struggle but he was able to get thru 5 innings allowing 4 runs on 9 hits but he left with the lead. Unfortunately the bullpen would melt down allowing 5 runs over the final 4 innings as the Jays would win 9-6.

Sonny Gray and Michael McGreevy each went 8 innings in their respective starts with Gray allowing 2 runs and McGreevy 3 before being lifted for the bullpen in the 9th. Ryan Helsley would save Saturday's game that the Cards won 5-2 and Chad Green would close out the 8-3 victory on Sunday.

Offensively it was Nolan Arenado breaking out for a series high 6 hits with 3 homers and a double, driving in 8 runs in the 3 games.

Next up is a 3 game series with the Cubs.

[jmcole33]

The Amazins

Mets Win Rubber Match, Advance To NLCS
October 7, 2029

The Mets capped this series the same way they began it - giving up 3 runs and using the long ball to power their offense. The feeling of the home team and their fans was one of anxious nervousness as the first pitch was thrown. They knew that a loss tonight would end their season prematurely, and the tension was palpable.

A run in the bottom of the first was met with a sigh of relief, as the Mets jumped out to an early lead. It could have been a more productive inning, but SS Corey Seager grounded into a double play. A run would score on the play, but the chance at a big inning was squandered.

New York would score again in the third. After a close play at second was awarded to the runner, the bases were loaded for 3B Rafael Devers. He would deliver. He lined a single into centerfield and 2 runs would score for a 3-0 Mets lead.

The next inning, 2B Jackie Maurer belted the first postseason HR of his career - a 2-run shot into the Coca Cola Corner in right. It was a vindicating moment for management. There was quite a bit of internal discussion prior to the game on whether to replace Maurer with IF Barney Nowak. Maurer had struggled thus far in the series, his only hit coming in Game 1. However, he did manage 7 walks through the first 4 games. Management decided to let the kid play in the pivotal Game 5 and he delivered in a big way.

Atlanta managed to breakthrough against RHP Anderson Espinoza in the 5th. CF Jay Franco, who replaced injured CF Marcus Sanchez in the 1st inning, doubled in 2 runs to cut the Mets lead to 5-2. The Mets quickly responded. C Luke Wray had a 2 out RBI single and the next batter, LF Michael Conforto, hit an opposite field 2-run HR to put the Mets up 8-2 and essentially bury the Braves.

Atlanta would manage one more run in the 8th, a 2B Marshall Grayson HR, but that would be all. The Mets won the game 8-3.

New York will be hosting the Colorado Rockies in the NLCS.

[jamm113]

M

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Rays Swept at Home as Pirates Storm Tropicana


Tampa, FL — Game 4–6 Recap (April 1–3, 2025)

Series Recap: PIT 6–2, 5–0, 5–4 | Pirates sweep Rays | Tampa falls to 2–4

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Game 4: Mlodzinski Muzzles Rays, Pirates Roll to 6–2 Win


Pittsburgh’s Carmen Mlodzinski carved through Tampa Bay’s lineup for seven strong innings, allowing just one run on four strikeouts and a walk. Tampa Bay starter Ryan Pepiot never found a rhythm, giving up four earned runs over five innings on nine hits.

Offensively, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Jared Triolo, and Oneil Cruz led the charge, each driving in runs during a four-run 3rd inning that broke the game open. Cruz added a two-run double in the 6th to put the game out of reach.

For the Rays, Jonathan Aranda and Josh Lowe were the lone bright spots—both notching doubles—while the rest of the lineup struggled to make noise.

Final: Pirates 6, Rays 2
WP: Mlodzinski (1-0) | LP: Pepiot (0-1)

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Game 5: Paul Skenes Silences Trop in Dominant MLB Performance


Paul Skenes made the Rays’ bats look overmatched in his second career start. The 22-year-old phenom lit up the radar gun with triple-digit heat, striking out 7 over 6 innings of one-hit baseball, quieting a sparse Tropicana crowd of just 10,482.

Offensively, Jack Suwinski homered deep to right-center in the 3rd, Nick Gonzales notched two extra-base hits and an RBI, and Jared Triolo continued his strong start with three hits and two runs.

Tampa’s Zack Littell allowed nine hits and three earned over five innings in the loss. The Rays’ offense was anemic again, going hitless into the 6th and finishing with just one run and one extra-base hit on the night.

Final: Pirates 5, Rays 0
WP: Skenes (1-1) | LP: Littell (0-1) | S: Bednar (1)

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Game 6: Late Inning Collapse Seals Sweep as Pirates Edge Rays 5–4


A competitive rubber match turned sour for Tampa Bay in the 7th, when Isiah Kiner-Falefa launched a go-ahead three-run homer off Kevin Kelly to turn a 4–2 Rays lead into a 5–4 deficit.

Drew Rasmussen was strong through 6.2 innings, allowing just two hits, but four walks and a Cruz double gave Pittsburgh a lifeline in the middle innings. Tampa’s offense showed early signs of life—Yandy Díaz went 3-for-4 with a solo homer, and Kameron Misner added a double, triple, and two RBI—but it wasn’t enough.

Mitch Keller battled through seven innings for the win, striking out 8, and Dennis Santana closed the door in the 9th for his third save of the season.

Final: Pirates 5, Rays 4
WP: Keller (1-1) | LP: Kelly (0-1) | S: Santana (3)

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Series Takeaways: Rays Fall to 2–4, Bats Stay Cold

• Tampa Bay’s offense has scored just 8 runs in its last 5 games, going 2–4 since Opening Day.
• The top of the order—Díaz, Caminero, Aranda, and Lowe—combined for 0-for-12 with 8 strikeouts in Game 5.
• Chandler Simpson made his MLB debut in Game 5, going 0-for-1 with a groundout in his first appearance.
• Rays’ pitching allowed 26 hits in the series and has given up 4+ runs in 5 of the first 6 games.

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Standings Check – AL East (Through April 3, 2025)

Blue Jays	4–3
Yankees	3–2
Orioles	3–3
Red Sox	2–4
Rays	2–4

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Next Up: Road Series at Texas Rangers (April 4–6)

[Itsma806]

2025 Houston Astros 08/29-09/01

Overall Record: 67-71 (3rd AL West/13.5 behind Texas Rangers/6.0 out of 3rd WC spot)

Game Results:

Game 1
Astros-6
Angels-5

Game 2
Angels-5
Astros-3

Game 3
Astros-9
Angels-0

Game 4
Angels-4
Astros-1

Astros split series with Angels as reality is starting to seek in

It's just been a tough second half of the season for Houston. Houston entered the All-Star break at a respectable 52-44 mark and were just 2.5 behind the Rangers in the AL West. Since then, Houston is 15-27 and in hopes of winning the division or even making the playoffs is getting dimmer with each loss.

Their most recent series against the Angels went exactly how the rest of the second half has gone. At times, the offense cant get anything going and others, the pitching staff gives up crucial runs. It really just doesnt make any sense. For instance, in game three of the Angels series, Hunter Brown had his best game of the season by far. He has struggled this whole season with is evident by his 8-17 record and now 5.43 ERA. That is after game three where he pitched a complete game shutout as he allowed only 5 hits and stuck out 7. That was complimented by an 11 hit peformance by the offense that included six extra base hits of which only one was a homerun.

Then, our most consistent pitcher in 25' took the mound for game three. Ronel Blanco came into the game leading the league in strikeouts and has a ERA in the lower 3's. He wasnt bad but did allow 4 total runs while the offense sputtered against Jose Soriano and four Angel bullpen arms as they combined to only allow 3 hits by Houston batters.

The Astros will really have to go on some type of winning streak if they want to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. It wont be easy as five of their last eight series are against teams with records over .500 with two more against the Rangers and another against Seattle...both teams that are ahead of them in the division.

First however, they will stay home to face the Yankees (70-67/3rd AL East/8.0 behind Boston)

[countryboy]

Cardinals take pivotal series against Cubs

RECORD: 64-51
DIVISION: +5 OVER CUBS
WILDCARD: -

The Cardinals took a pivotal 3 game series against the Cubs to begin the week. The series win now puts the Cardinals up 5 games over the Cubs, while the Brewers sit 8.5 back and the Reds and Pirates are both 10+ out.


The series started rough on Monday as Walker Buehler made his Cardinals debut. Buehler gave up 2 runs in the 1st inning but settled down to get thru 5 innings allowing 3 runs on 8 hits and fanning 5. But it really didn't matter what the pitching staff did as the offense didn't show up in a 4-0 shutout. Cubs pitching struck out 18 hitters over the 9 innings.

Tuesday and Wednesday were very entertaining ballgames with the Cardinals winning both 2-1, with Wednesday's win being a walk-off single by a struggling Jordan Walker. Tuesday was a nailbiter as the Cards had a 2-0 lead going into the 9th. And with 2 outs, Ian Happ smacked a solo homerun off of Ryan Helsley to make it 2-1. Helsley then proceeded to issue back to back walks, before finally striking out Pete Crow Armstrong to end the game.

The Cardinals will now head to PIttsburgh for a 3 game series with the Pirates.

[jmcole33]

The Amazins

NLCS Preview
October 8, 2029

The Rockies have been waiting patiently for the winner of the other NLDS series. They only needed 3 games to take care of the St Louis Cardinals, and they are looking like serious contenders for the pennant.

They feature the best rotation in all of baseball, and ranked 2nd behind the Mets in overall staff ERA. Their rotation consists of the 4-headed monster of LHP Benny Lawrence, LHP Peter Babb, RHP Johan Medrano, and RHP Mike Nikorak. All 4 of them boast sub-3.50 ERAs this season, with Babb, Lawrence, and Nikorak coming in at under 3. Extremely impressive for a staff that spends half of their time in the thin air of the Rocky Mountains.

This is made even more concerning considering the amount that the NY lineup struggled in the NLDS. As a team, they batted just .215. Fortunately, their pitching staff is formidable as well, and they were able to escape in 5 games against their bitter division rivals. I would expect this to be a low scoring series.

Game 1 will feature LHP Benny Lawrence and LHP Sean Machado. With a lefty on the mound for the Rockies, expect the Mets to start Albert Almora in right field. Nick Karnitz had a rough NLDS, collecting just 2 hits and having an OPS under .300. A day off against the lefty will hopefully allow him to get right, as the Mets will need him to produce like he did in the month of September. If Karnitz doesn't bounce back, the absence of 2B Steven Logan will feel much more significant.

In other news, RHP Michael Whitehead has been ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs. The Mets were hoping to get the flamethrowing Whitehead back for the NLCS, but he felt a pull in his oblique during a throwing session this morning. There will be no reinforcements this postseason.

In the AL, it will be the Yankees v White Sox. Both series took 5 games to be completed, with the Chi Sox needing to come back from down 2-0.

[bigjdotcom01]

May 30-31, June 1: LAS VEGAS (20-38) @ SURPRISE (29-30)
Stadium: Surprise Stadium (Capacity: 10,674)

May 30: Silver Kings 4, Saguaros 1
May 31: Saguaros 9, Silver Kings 5
June 1: Saguaros 8, Silver Kings 7

Surprise, AZ (AP) - Another monumental collapse prevented Las Vegas from winning a series in Surprise as they dropped two of three to the Saguaros.

The Silver Kings opened up their road trip with a 4-1 victory over the Saguaros. Emery Hutchinson went six innings, allowing one run on three hits, striking out 11 to pick up his fourth win.

Las Vegas went up 2-0 in the first on RBI singles from Julio Chacon and Danny Watt. Watt would add an RBI single in the third to make it 3-0.

Surprise would finally get to Emery Hutchinson in the fifth. Jeff Nettles doubled for the Saguaros first hit. Jonathan Patel then singled him home to cut the Las Vegas lead to 3-1.

A Russell O'Reilly RBI single in the seventh put the Silver Kings up 4-1.

Henry Coronado, Russ Zickafoose and Kai Ransom each threw a scoreless inning in relief. Ransom picked up his second save.

Surprise batters struck out 15 times and only had one walk.

On Saturday afternoon, the Saguaros bounced back with a 17-hit attack as they won 9-5. MacKenzie Evans went 4 for 5 with two home runs and three RBIs to lead the way for Surprise.

Surprise got off to a quick start as they scored in the first inning on MacKenzie Evans first home run of the game, a solo shot.

Las Vegas responded in the top of the second as Caden Juarez (7) homered to center. Todd Matsumoto added an RBI single, scoring Vladimir Escalera to put the Silver Kings up 2-1.

Surprise answered right back with a Jonathan Patel solo home run (8) to tie the game at 2-2.

Danny Watt was hit by a pitch to lead off the third for the Silver Kings. He stole second and scored on a David Tejeda single to give the Silver Kings a 3-2 lead.

The Saguaros answered again in the bottom half with RBI singles from Edmund Isaac and Jonathan Patel to retake the lead at 4-3. They woud add a pair in the fourth on a Keaton Ross two-run home run, his fifth. That was the end of starter Antoine Swanger. Swanger (5-3) went 3.1 innings, allowing six runs on nine hits. He has won five straight decisions coming into this one.

A Mariano Hidalgo solo home run in the top of the sixth cut it to 6-4, but Surprise answered right back again with two in the bottom half. This time it was MacKenzie Evans with a two-run shot, his second of the game and 11^th on the year, to make it 8-4. The Saguaros would add another run in the seventh on a Ramon Reyes RBI double.

Las Vegas got one back in the ninth on a Todd Matsumoto RBI double.

Every player in the lineup on the Saguaros had a hit in the game.

David Olsen (2-5) earned the win, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing four runs on eight hits, striking out two.

I am not sure what is left to say about this Las Vegas team in 2025. On Sunday afternoon, they blew a 7-0 lead and lost on a walk-off three-run home run from MacKenzie Evans as they fell 8-7. Evans went 2 for 5 with two more home runs, driving in four, as he killed the Silver Kings this weekend.

Las Vegas looked like they were going to cruise to a victory, building a 7-0 lead after four and a half innings. Julio Chacon hit a two-run home run in the first to get things started. In the third, Chacon hit an RBI double, with Russell O'Reilly adding an RBI single. In the fourth it was a two-run home run from Todd Matsumoto that put Vegas up 6-0. Caden Juarez then homered in the fifth to make it 7-0.

Surprise got one back in the fifth as Jonathan Patel homered, his ninth on the season and second of the series.

Starter Jude Vernon pitched seven innings, allowing one run on four hits, striking out four and walking one. He has been fantastic since Jeremi Dillon went on the Injured list. He has an ERA of 1.64 and has looked very good as a #3 starter, maybe making Dillon expendable. Dillon came off of the injured list this morning and was sent to Triple-A Salt Lake for a couple of rehab starts.

Things fell apart in the eighth. Former closer Rob Porter came in and was lit up, giving up three solo home runs. MacKenzie Evans, Ramon Reyes, and William Banks each hit solo shots off of Porter. Porter's ERA has jumped to 10.45 as he only managed to get one out in the eighth.

New closer Kai Ransom came on in the ninth getting Keaton Ross to strike out and Jonathan Patel to fly out to center to start the inning. Ramon Reyes singled to center. William Banks then hit what looked like a game ending grounder to second that Danny Watt bobbled and all runners were safe. Moreno singled to center, scoring Reyes to cut it to 7-5. MacKenzie Evens then worked the count full before blasting a 3-2 fastball over the wall in right to walk it off.

Ransom (0-2) allowed four run in four hits in 0.2 innings of work. Las Vegas just cannot find an answer at closer and we are now two months into the season.

The loss dropped Las Vegas to (20-38) on the year. The road trip continues tomorrow as they stay in the Valley to take on Gilbert (30-31).

Around the League: Boise has traded 29-year-old centerfielder Darryl Nair (75 OVR, C POT) to Chandler for 22-year-old starting pitcher Demarcus Bronson (64 OVR, C POT). Nair was hitting .304 with three home runs and 19 RBIs in 45 games for the Hawks.

Santa Fe has lost their ace Arnold Gilliand to a torn pectoral muscle. H ewas placed on the 60-Day Injured List and is expected to miss two to three months. They hope to have him back in late August-early September. He was (7-3, 3.52 ERA) with 76 strikeouts in 69.0 innings for a Jays team that is just a game out of first in the ML Central.

Surprise's MacKenzie Evans hit four home runs in the series including this walk off winner on Sunday.

[bigjdotcom01]

MAY AWARDS:
ML Pitcher of Month: Robby Wolfe (RP, Albuquerque) 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7 SV's, 17 K's
ML Player of Month: Chad Riley (1B, Boise) .236, 8 HR, 14 RBIs
ML Rookie of Month: Joe Hendrix (SP, Santa Fe) 3-2, 2.95 ERA, 35 K's

DL Pitcher of Month: Alfonso Cruz (RP, Phoenix) 2-0, 0.69 ERA, 11 SV's, 13 K's
DL Player of Month: Shea Horton (1B, Tahoe) .280, 9 HR, 23 RBIs
DL Rookie of Month: Sam DiLuca (RP, Mesa) 1-1, 1.69 ERA, 8 SV's, 7 K's

[jmcole33]

The Amazins

Mets Strike First, Win Game 1
October 9, 2029

As they did in the first game of the NLDS, the Mets established both sides of the ball in a 7-1 victory in Game 1. LHP Sean Machado was spectacular and RF Albert Almora was an unlikely star as he was inserted into the lineup to face LHP Benny Lawrence.

The Amazins were able to push the first run of the game across in the 3rd inning. SS Corey Seager hit a liner to right field, and a diving RF Dan O'Neill got his glove on the ball but could not come up with the catch. Instead, it was a run scoring double.

It would be the only run that Lawrence surrendered, but the Mets were able to work 5 walks and elevate his pitch count. This resulted in him leaving the game after 4 innings. New York would take advantage. RHP Walter Ma entered for the Colorado and Almora would jump all over a first pitch fastball for a HR. 2-0 Mets.

The very next inning, Machado would help himself with an RBI single, and a couple batters later, Almora would hit his second HR of the game. This time it was a 3-run bomb to make it 6-0 Mets. Both teams would add a run each for a 7-1 final.

Game 2 will feature LHP Julio Fernandez and LHP Peter Babb. Another lefty on lefty battle. The Mets are giving Fernandez an opportunity in a big spot as taking the first two against a team like the Rockies could prove huge in his series.

Machado Will Miss Remainder of NLCS

In a scary moment in the 7th inning, LHP Sean Machado was hit in the head on a line drive back up the middle. He would need to be removed from the game and will enter concussion protocol. This will keep him out a minimum of 7 days. Machado was at least able to deliver Game 1 for the good guys, but having him available later in the series would have been a big plus as well.

LHP Jeremy Pacheco will replace him on the postseason roster. It is unclear in what capacity the rookie will be used, as the Mets still have RHP Luis Severino as an option to start games if they decide to do so.

[Aussie_Red_Devil]

I’m playing 24 but not a specific question to that more a specific dynasty question. In my game Roman Anthony(using him as an example as there are others) has no face scan obviously but also not generic generated face, just a blank card with the outline of a guy on it. Is there anyway to turn that into a generic generated face? Like what the draft picks have and that sort of thing?

[jamm113]

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Rays Stumble Through Texas Swing, Fall Flat at Home Before Salvaging Finale vs Braves


Tampa Bay drops to 5–10 as early season inconsistencies continue

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Series Recap: @ Texas Rangers (April 4–6)


Rays drop 2 of 3 in Arlington; Baz shines, bullpen stumbles

• Game 1: Rays 7, Rangers 2
  Shane Baz bounced back with authority, striking out six over six innings and limiting Texas to one earned run. Kameron Misner stayed hot, launching a two-run triple in a five-run 6th that blew the game open.
  WP: Baz (1-1) | LP: Mahle (1-1)
• Game 2: Rangers 7, Rays 3
  Rookie Jack Leiter dominated Rays hitters, and Taj Bradley couldn’t protect a 2–0 lead. The Rangers took control late, scoring five unanswered. Tampa’s bullpen struggled, and Chris Martin earned the save.
  WP: Leiter (1-1) | LP: Bradley (1-2) | S: Martin (1)
• Game 3: Rangers 4, Rays 2
  Ryan Pepiot’s tough start to the season continued, allowing four earned over six. Tampa was held to five hits as Patrick Corbin outdueled Pepiot. Jose Caballero’s leadoff experiment showed signs of stalling.
  WP: Corbin (1-1) | LP: Pepiot (0-2) | S: Webb (1)

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Series Recap: vs Angels (April 8–10)


Late-game heartbreak spoils Caminero’s breakout in dramatic finale

• Game 1: Rays 7, Angels 5
  Kevin Kelly settled in after early trouble, and Peter Fairbanks nailed down his second save. The Rays had four multi-hit performances, including another standout day from Jonathan Aranda.
  WP: Kelly (1-1) | LP: Strickland (0-1) | S: Fairbanks (2)
• Game 2: Angels 7, Rays 1
  Drew Rasmussen gave up four in the 4th, and the offense never recovered. José Soriano moved to 3–0, silencing Tampa bats over six. The Rays went 0-for-7 with RISP and grounded into two double plays.
  WP: Soriano (3-0) | LP: Rasmussen (0-1)
• Game 3: Angels 10, Rays 5 (10 inn.)
  Junior Caminero (.241, 1 HR, 9 RBI) turned in his most complete game of the season, going 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI, including a game-tying run in the 9th. But Tampa’s bullpen unraveled in extras, with Cole Sulser surrendering a grand slam to Zach Neto in a five-run 10th.
  WP: Nector Nerian | LP: Sulser (0-1)

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Series Recap: vs Braves (April 11–14)


Lineup shakeup comes too late as Rays drop 2 of 3 at home

• Game 1: Braves 2, Rays 0
  Tampa was shut out despite four hits from the top five in the order. Taj Bradley pitched well again (3.05 ERA), but poor defense and timely Braves hitting sealed the loss.
  WP: Holmes (2-0) | LP: Bradley (1-2) | S: Iglesias (6)
  
  Lineup notes:
  • Jose Caballero (.237) moved down from leadoff to 6th vs RHP
  • Brandon Lowe (.167) dropped to 5th vs LHP
  • Bench lacking right-handed bats capable of handling LHP; scouts and execs eyeing possible minor league options
• Game 2: Braves 3, Rays 2
  Tampa stranded 11 runners and fell to 1–6 in one-run games. Yandy Díaz and Misner each had two hits, but it wasn’t enough to back Kevin Kelly, who allowed a go-ahead single in the 7th.
  WP: Johnson (1-1) | LP: Kelly (1-2) | S: Iglesias (7)
• Game 3: Rays 8, Braves 2
  Tampa finally erupted at the plate, putting up eight runs on 12 hits. Zack Littell tossed six strong innings and Aranda homered in a three-run 3rd. Chris Sale was tagged for six earned in four innings.
  WP: Littell (1-1) | LP: Sale (1-1)

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Scout Report – Weeks 1 & 2

• Pete Clay (SP – East): Scouted 29 arms; 8 are top-30 on the Rays’ draft board.
• Savannah Locke (SP – East): Focused on Russ Robbins, a 6'3" junior with a nasty sweeping curve and mid-90s heat. Potential Day 1 pick.
• Tristan Blum (OF – East, Week 1): Minimal returns. Pivoted to SP Bob Dunbar (#2 MLB ranking) in Week 2.
• Week 2 Update:
  Locke now shifting to Central US for SP prospects. Clay remains in the East to finalize grades.

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Team Stats Through 15 Games

Standouts:

• Jonathan Aranda: .357/.386/.619, 3 HR, 6 RBI
• Kameron Misner: .289/.333/.763, 3 HR, 10 RBI
• Yandy Díaz: .302/.333/.444, 2 HR, 8 RBI
• Junior Caminero: .241/.250/.352, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 17.9% K rate

Pitching Leaders:

• Taj Bradley: 3 starts, 1–2, 3.05 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 17 K in 20.2 IP
• Fairbanks: 2 saves, 0 ER in 3.2 IP, 4 K
• Zack Littell: 1–1, 4.82 ERA, 1.34 WHIP

Areas of Concern:

• Catchers (Thaiss/Jansen): 7-for-47, 1 HR, 4 RBI
• Ryan Pepiot: 0–2, 5.29 ERA, 1.59 WHIP
• Shane Baz: 6.06 ERA despite strong strikeout numbers

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AL East Standings (Through April 14)

Yankees	11–4	8–2
Red Sox	9–8	6–4
Blue Jays	8–9	4–6
Orioles	7–9	4–6
Rays	5–10	3–7

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Next Up: Crucial Division Homestand

• vs Red Sox (April 14–16)
• vs Yankees (April 17–20)

Can the Rays’ lineup shuffle and surging bats of Aranda and Misner carry them back toward .500? Or will the club’s issues vs LHP and inconsistent bullpen continue to define a rocky April?

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[jamm113]

🎙️**“Sunday Rays Reaction” – WTBX 96.9 Tampa Sports Radio – April 14, 2025**
Live from the Suncoast Credit Union Studio | Hosted by Rick Morales and “Lefty” Dan Whitaker

Intro jingle fades under the sound of thunderous Tropicana Field crowd noise and the Rays fight song.

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🎧 Segment 1: "Wake Up and Smell the Skid"


Rick Morales:
“Good morning Tampa Bay. It’s April 14th, and your Rays are 5-and-10. That’s right — five wins in fifteen tries. Not how you want to open a season when you’re trying to climb out of the AL East cellar, Dan.”

Lefty Dan:
“Rick, it’s been sloppy. I’m not sugarcoating it — you get a gutsy win against the Braves yesterday, but that followed six losses in seven games, including that Angels meltdown where Zach Neto turned the dome into a grand slam graveyard.”

Rick:
“And here’s what’s really burning fans up — the starting pitching. Pepiot, Rasmussen, Littell... nobody’s scaring anyone. Shane Baz looked good against Texas, but outside of that, we’re getting knocked around like a piñata at a kids party.”

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📞 Caller Segment: "Fans in the Fryer"


Rick:
“Let’s go to the phones. We’ve got Joey from Lakeland on line one — Joey, you’re live.”

Joey from Lakeland:
“Yeah hey Rick, hey Lefty. Listen, man, I’ve been a Rays fan since the Devil Rays days, and I’ve seen ugly seasons, but what’s going on with this lineup? We’ve got Yandy doing everything, Caminero either striking out or being the hero, and our bench has zero right-handed thump. Where’s the front office?”

Lefty Dan:
“You’re not wrong, Joey. Caminero’s heating up — that clutch double against the Angels? Big. But there’s no help for him. Richie Palacios is ice cold, and we’ve got a bunch of ghosts on the bench when a lefty’s on the mound.”

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📢 Hot Take of the Week: “Time to Make a Move?”


Rick:
“All right, Lefty. Let’s hit it hard: is it time for Erik Neander and Kevin Cash to dip into Durham and bring up some thunder? Maybe Kyle Manzardo? Maybe Jonathan Duran?”

Lefty Dan:
“I say yes. The bench is paper thin. Brandon Lowe’s hitting under .170 and we’ve got no pop from the catchers — Thaiss and Jansen are a combined 7-for-47. You’ve got Misner breaking out with that .763 slugging, Yandy still cooking, Aranda looking like prime Edgar Martínez... but beyond that? It’s a wasteland.”

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🎙️ Inside the Clubhouse Interview – Yandy Díaz (translated)


Rick:
“Caught up with Yandy after the win yesterday. Here's what he had to say:”

🎧 Clip Plays
Yandy (via interpreter): “We know it’s been a tough start. Everybody in this clubhouse is working. Caminero is special — he wants to win. Misner has been great. But we need to be better. All of us.”

Lefty Dan:
“Look, Yandy’s the heart of this team. He’s not yelling in the clubhouse, but you can tell the guy is trying to carry this team on his back.”

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🧠 Scout's Corner – Savannah Locke Report


Rick:
“Quick draft update from our front office insider: Savannah Locke reportedly loves what she’s seeing from Central-region starters, especially a 6'3" kid from Nebraska, fastball up to 97, power sinker, name’s Russ Robbins. Rays might be eyeing a college-ready arm early.”

Lefty Dan:
“Great — maybe by 2027 we’ll have five working elbows in the rotation.”

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📊 Stat Watch


Rick:

• Misner: .289/.763 SLG, 10 RBI in just 38 ABs
• Aranda: .357/.386/.619, maybe the most underrated bat in baseball
• Caminero: .241, but heating up with clutch hits — including 9 RBIs already
• Pepiot, Baz, Bradley all over a 4.80 ERA
• Fairbanks? Untouchable. 3.2 innings, 0 runs, 2 saves. Lockdown.

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🧨 Final Thought: “Caminero’s Crucible”


Lefty Dan:
“Look — Junior Caminero has the weight of this franchise on his shoulders at 20 years old. And we saw a flash in that Angels comeback. But he can’t be the savior in April. Someone else in that clubhouse has to step up.”

Rick:
“Red Sox and Yankees coming to town this week. If the Rays want to keep this from spiraling, it’s got to start now.”

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🎙️Stay tuned after the break for “Prospect Pulse” with Tony from Tarpon Springs breaking down who’s mashing in Montgomery and whether the Rays need to get aggressive with call-ups.

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[jmcole33]

The Amazins

Powered By Almora, Mets Go Up 2-0
October 10, 2029

October baseball has a way of producing the most unlikely of heroes, and this year is no exception. RF Albert Almora, starting for the second straight game against a lefty, hit two more HRs en route to a 3-1 Mets victory.

Almora has provided veteran leadership and good defense for the whole year, but he hasn't exactly been a bat with much pop. He hit only 6 HRs during the regular season, and most of his playing time went to OF Nick Karnitz as the season moved through August and September. However, Karnitz has really struggled to this point in the postseason. Almora likely would have gotten the nod in these two games because of the lefty on the mound, but now it looks like he won't be soon relinquishing his spot in right field.

Almora's first HR came in the 3rd, a deep drive to right center. His second came in the 5th, a 2-run shot to left. The three runs would be all that the Mets needed as their pitching has been dynamite through 2 games. LHP Julio Fernandez shined in his first start this postseason, throwing 6 scoreless innings. So far, the Mets have had the upper hand in the matchup between the two best pitching staffs in baseball.

Colorado's only run came on a 9th inning HR by 1B Greg Uribe, but RHP Steve Roy would work around it to complete the save.

RHP Travis West will take on RHP Johan Medrano in what feels like a must win Game 3 for the Rockies.