2010 Tampa Bay Rays

[55]

The Rays are going for their third consecutive winning season this year and this, coincidentally (or not, depending on your opinion) also happens to be their third season since they dropped the "Devil" from their name. With a good, young core of offensive players in place I believe this season will be a success or a failure depending on how the starting pitching fares. David Price has all the potential in the world to become an ace and let's hope that he takes a huge step forward towards that this season.

[55]

Re: 2010 Tampa Bay Rays

If I'm Joe Maddon, this is my 25 man opening day roster:

Starters:

C- Dioner Navarro
1B- Carlos Pena
2B- Ben Zobrist
3B- Evan Longoria
SS- Jason Bartlett
LF- Carl Crawford
CF- B.J. Upton
RF- Matt Joyce
DH- Pat Burrell

Bench:

C- Kelly Shoppach
IF- Reid Brignac
OF- Gabe Kapler
DH- Willy Aybar

Rotation:

1- James Shields
2- Jeff Niemann
3- Matt Garza
4- David Price
5- Wade Davis

Bullpen:

LR- Andy Sonnanstine
RP- Lance Cormier
RP- Grant Balfour
RP- Dan Wheeler
LS- Randy Choate
SU- J.P. Howell
CL- Rafael Soriano

Most are obvious, but that's the way I'd pencil it in.

[55]

Re: 2010 Tampa Bay Rays

9-3 to start the year, tied with the Yankees for the best record in the majors.

[55]

Re: 2010 Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are now 22-8 and still hold the best record in the majors. Longoria, Crawford, Shields, Garza and Price are all having All-Star caliber seasons thus far. Davis and Niemann have also played well and the starting pitching across the board has been top notch to say the least. If a few of the colder bats (Upton and Pena) heat up this could get very interesting. The bullpen has also been outstanding so far besides Choate, which is fine because Howell should be back from injury any day now and they'll have a solid lefty in the pen again.

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2010 Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are now 22-8 and still hold the best record in the majors. Longoria, Crawford, Shields, Garza and Price are all having All-Star caliber seasons thus far. Davis and Niemann have also played well and the starting pitching across the board has been top notch to say the least. If a few of the colder bats (Upton and Pena) heat up this could get very interesting. The bullpen has also been outstanding so far besides Choate, which is fine because Howell should be back from injury any day now and they'll have a solid lefty in the pen again.

The Rays are a lot of fun to watch...I just wish they would get a new stadium. I hate watching games in the Trops on TV...it feels like a dungeon.

[55]

Re: 2010 Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are a lot of fun to watch...I just wish they would get a new stadium. I hate watching games in the Trops on TV...it feels like a dungeon.

It must feel that way to the fans in the area as well because even though they have the best record in the majors, nobody comes to their damn games!

[DATJ717]

Re: 2010 Tampa Bay Rays

It was the same way in 2008 nobody gets very excited until you start to get to the all star break because people seem to think early season contests don't count as much.

[DATJ717]

Re: 2010 Tampa Bay Rays

P.S. I love the Trop! great place to see a ballgame

[JBH3]

Re: 2010 Tampa Bay Rays

What's going on w/ Tim Beckham? He was hyped as the next BIG thing, and a "do-it-all" SS, but it appears he's been really struggling in low-A ball. Any Rays w/ an inside scoop on this former #1 overall pick?

[simgamer0005]

Re: 2010 Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are going for their third consecutive winning season this year and this, coincidentally (or not, depending on your opinion) also happens to be their third season since they dropped the "Devil" from their name.

I didn't realize they officially changed their name from the Devil Rays to the Rays. I thought the Rays were just a nickname and they changed the logo. But yeah they better stick with it as the Rays are obviously better than the Devil Rays were.

With a good, young core of offensive players in place I believe this season will be a success or a failure depending on how the starting pitching fares. David Price has all the potential in the world to become an ace and let's hope that he takes a huge step forward towards that this season.

I was so impressed by the way they beat the Yankees tonight. I watched the entire game. I just couldn't believe it. Wade Davis did some incredible work in there, and they held on down the stretch.

From their steller 5 man rotation, to their speed on the bases, to their defensive shifts, to their timely hitting, not only are they good, but they make games interesting and exciting to watch. This team plays the game the way it should be played.

[adice15]

Re: 2010 Tampa Bay Rays

I'm planning on going to the games against the Red Sox in July, and I was wondering what are some good places to eat in St. Petersburg, and what seats are the best to watch the game from?

[raynman]

Re: 2010 Tampa Bay Rays

Not sure about places to eat (I'm from Boston myself), but good seats are in the Lower Box along the first base line. For Sox games they are 65 bucks, but they are great for the pricing (compared to 100+ at Fenway for similar seats).

[55]

Re: 2010 Tampa Bay Rays

Two months into the season and the Rays still hold the best record in the majors at 34-18 right now. The starting pitching is just ridiculous from 1-5 and has been all year. This could be the year!

[raynman]

Re: 2010 Tampa Bay Rays

Losing 6 of the last 8 doesn't worry you?

[55]

Re: 2010 Tampa Bay Rays

Losing 6 of the last 8 doesn't worry you?

Not really. Three of those games were against a red hot Boston club and our starting pitching was still solid. The Rays don't have another truly tough series until June 28th.