9=8.com's Tampa Bay Rays 2008 ALDS Roster Projections

STAY TUNED FOR YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BUY GAME 5 ALDS TICKETS AT FACE VALUE (PLUS TICKETMASTER FEES) FROM 9=8.COM.

SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAIL LIST TO HAVE A SHOT.

9=8.com ALDS Roster Projection:

Fielding/Hitting:
C – Navarro/Hernandez
1B – Pena
2B – Iwamura
3B – Longoria
SS – Bartlett
CF – Upton/Perez
LF – Crawford/Hinske
RF – Gross/Baldelli
DH/Utility – Floyd/Aybar/Zobrist

Pitching:
SP1 – Shields
SP2 – Kazmir
SP3 – Garza
SP4 – Sonnanstine

Bullpen:
Howell
Balfour
Wheeler
Bradford
Miller
Price

Items for Debate:
1) If Carl Crawford is healthy (looking more likely), I believe he would likely take Hinske’s or Perez’s place. Hinske clearly has power and has played a solid left field since Carl was hurt. But, Hinske and Gross will not play at the same time, so perhaps the decision becomes Perez + Hinske or Gross? Gross has been the better player down the stretch, but Hinske has also been very good for the Rays (if only he can break out of this lousy slump he's been in). Perez provides depth at CF and LF and is also a big time weapon the bases. I do get pretty excited when I think about how much speed this lineup has if Crawford is healthy along with BJ, Perez and Bartlett (not as fast, but a great baserunner), but that’s more likely a 2009 scenario as Perez is going to come off of the bench. Given how well Aybar has played and his value as a utility guy, he’s most likely in. Zobrist has been red hot lately and is also likely to make the playoff roster based on his utility and hitting. One other possibility is that Rocco misses the roster (pause for dramatic effect). Rocco has been ice cold lately (hitting .167 in his last 10 games) and brings similar defense in RF to Gross. In fact, Perez and Zobrist have both hit with more power than Rocco this year. Can the Rays count on a sudden improvement from Rocco in October? The fans will hate this, but it could happen. If Rocco is not on the ALDS team, Hinske and Perez make the squad. Lots up in the air here.

2) Pitching/Bullpen – For the ALDS, the Rays will carry 4 starters (Shields, Kazmir, Garza and Sonnansine). I’m not entirely sure if they will carry 6 or 7 pitchers in the bullpen. If they only carry 6, then Miller is probably the other one to fall off. If they go with 7, my roster is above. The most notable omission from my list is Percival. While I am a big Percival fan and have tremendous respect for the guy and what he’s done for this team, he is just not healthy enough to be relied upon in the BP. You could slot him in instead of Miller or Jackson (but, Jackson can be very valuable in the long reliever role), so it’s possible Percy gets a spot. The rest of the BP is not all controversial, in my opinion. Price makes the team as he's been very good since joining the team and he brings a lot of versatility to the BP (long middle guy, 1-2 shut down innings, very good vs. lefties, etc.).

That’s it for now. It looks like CC might just be healthy for the ALDS, which would be a huge lift for the Rays. The fill ins have been great, but Carl brings better defense defense and 1 additional out can make or break a game in the playoffs. His speed on the bases is another huge plus (relative to Hinske or Zobrist) and that makes defenses rush throws and do other unnatural things when he’s at the plate. The risk is that it takes him a few games to get back to normal hitting strength. That was not the case with Longo, so let’s hope Carl has similar success out of the gate.

RAYS WIN AL EAST - Completing Biggest Regular Season Turn Around in History!

Early this morning, September 27, 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays wont the most difficult and improbably victory in the history of the young frachise - the AL EAST TITLE.

After a touch loss to Detroit earlier in the day (actually the previous day), the Rays new best friends (for a day), the Yankees, delivered a dominating victory over the Boston Red Sox to seal the deal for the Tampa Bay Rays. What an amazing season and the fun is just beginning. Go Rays!

----------------

I'll add my personal story to this blog later, but in short, I was traveling on busines in the DC area and had a chance to catch the first potential clinching game - the Rays won, but then the Red Sox managed a 1-run win against the Indians. I was then on to Boston for another business meeting and decided to attend the Red Sox / Indians game in the event that the Indians could find a way to win (and thereby give the Rays the clinch). No luck, once against - the Red Sox found a way to win it also. Unfortunately, there was no business for me in Detroit, so the third time was not the charm. Regardless, it was a lot of fun meeting a bunch of other die hard Rays fans on the road (may from Tampa/St. Pete). More to come later along with some pics from the trip.... Stay tuned.

RAYS ARE IN!!! But, thre is still more work to do....

WOW - What a season (so far). This team is only the second team in MLB history to turn in the worst record in all of baseball one season only to follow it up with a playoff birth. I can't say enough about this team and the no quit spirit that it emits. What a tremendous season (so far) and I am so lucky to be a part of it.

Now, on to business. After a hung-over loss on Sunday, that Rays need to bear down and finish this thing off. With a Magic Number of only 6 with 8 games left, the Rays probably need to win 4-5 games to clinch their first ever AL East title (I'm assuming the Red Sox will lose 1-2 games to Cleveland or New York). Come on, Rays, let's not be satisfied with a simple Wild Card birth. I'll be in Baltimore on Tuesday to root you on, so don't let the emerging "Rays Nation" down. With David Price on the mound tonight (is anyone else as excited about Price's first Major League start as I am?) Rays fans can see not only the present but also the future of this great team.

Oh, and THANK YOU for a tremendous regular season at home. My son and I personally saw more walk-offs and amazing wins that we've ever experienced in the past. We are forever grateful for the experience and can't wait to see you in the Playoffs!

2008 Tampa Bay Rays Rookie Hazing Pictures & Video

For those of you that have been looking for this, here it is. Actual video of the Tampa Bay Rays players leaving New York in their rookie/first year player hazing outfits. This is classic stuff. Enjoy!

You can view video of the Rays in costume by CLICKING HERE.

Congrats to DaveJ - Winner of 2 Rays Tickets for Sunday's Season Finale!

Congrats to Dave - he is the lucky winner of our free Rays tickets for Sunday's game. Sign up for our email list to be qualified to win tickets to future games. Who knows, maybe I will give away some other cool stuff or even playoff tickets? No promises, but you'll never know unless you sign up.

Good luck and Go Rays!!!

Blue Jays Starting Top 3 Pitchers vs. Red Sox on Short Rest

Some good news for the Rays (if you are into scoreboard watching, that is). The Blue Jays announced that A.J. Burnett, Jesse Litsch and Roy Halladay all will pitch on three days' rest against Boston. In addition, the Red Sox are going to have to face the hot LHP David Purcey (at least, he's hot against the Rays having given up 1 run in 16 innings against us in his last 2 starts) in their first game tonight (Wakefield is pitching for the BoSox). This is great news for the Rays for several reasons.

1) The Jays have a top 2 (Rays are #1 in my opinion) starting rotation in the MLB and the Jays are red hot - good opportunity for the Rays to gain some ground if we can take the series from the Yankees (will not be easy, but the Rays can do it for sure).

2) The Jays believe they are in the Wild Card hunt (and they are if they can win or sweep the Red Sox series) and will be playing for their lives. The Red Sox know they needs to string some wins together before coming down to the Trop. That means both sides will be playing some very intense baseball for 3 days before having to fly down and play a 3-game set at the Trop. The Red Sox will not be able to preserve their bullpen as they cannot afford to conserve for the Rays series. Let's hope for some extra innings battles in this series!

3) The Rays/Red Sox series is going to be no picnic for Red Sox hitters either as they will face Scott Kazmir right out of the gate. They also have to deal with the mental block of having lost all games they've played at the Trop thus far. I am not sure how big an issue this will be, but it is something that will be in their minds, for sure.

The Rays do not have an easy task at hand either with their visit to Yankee Stadium, but I believe we have a very good chance to win this series. Here are the Rays matchups for the weekend:

Friday - Garza vs. Ponson
Saturday - Shields vs. Mussina
Sunday - Jackson vs. Pavano

No easy task for sure, but they are all RHPs and the Rays are fired up after the Red Sox series. Perhaps we will see BJ Upton and Evan Longoria in the lineup as well, which would be outstanding news! There is going to be some GREAT baseball for the next week!

Tampa Bay Rays Rookie Hazing (2007/2008): Past and Present

I saw that the Rays did some rookie hazing in Boston and thought it'd be fun to post some pics. Here is what I was able to find (check back for updates - I will post more as I find them):

Aki and his interpreter in 2007:

Aki and Justin Ruggianno in 2007 (and a couple of other guys I don't know):

WOW: Believe in the Tampa Bay Rays - a Season of Destiny?

First some business - sign up for our blog via email (click here) and you will have a chance to win 2 tickets to see the Rays play the Twins. Drawing will be on Monday, September 15.
Also, let's fill the PIT for the Red Sox and Twins series.

GREAT SEATS AVAILABLE ON STUBHUB - CLICK HERE!

------------------------------------

First it was Carl Crawford (our #3 hitter), the defensive stalwart and key member of the Rays offensive attack. No problem, we have Rocco Baldelli, Ben Zobrist, Eric Hinske, Justin Ruggianno, Gabe Gross, Dan Johnson...

Then, it was Evan Longoria (our #4 hitter and team leader in HR, RBIs and Slugging %). No problem, we have Willy Aybar.

Then, it was BJ Upton (our #2 hitter and team leader in walks, OBP as well as the AL leader in outfield assists), who has been playing with a torn Labrum in his left shoulder, who strained his quad chasing a ball on Monday at Fenway Park (in the biggest series the Rays have had in FRANCHISE HISTORY). He misses Tuesday and Wednesday's games. No problem, we have Fernando Perez, Ben Zobrist, Dan Johnson, Gabe Gross, etc.

Then, it was Troy Percival. Troy has been hurt for months now and doesn't seem to be getting any better (despite what he is telling Maddon and the trainers). No problem, we have Dan Wheeler, and...JASON "the Hammer" HAMMEL!

The Rays just continue to find ways to win. Anchored by the #1 starting pitching staff in the AL and maybe the majors (sorry, Blue Jays, the Rays are the best) and the #1 bullpen in the AL and probably the Majors (if we had a closer), the cast of characters that have scored runs for this team seems to change every night.

Tuesday, it was Dan Johnson, who, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, after hitting a game-tying HR in the top of the 9th inning Tuesday night after being recalled from Triple-A, became the first player in the last 50 years to hit a September home run in the 9th inning (or later) in his first at-bat for a first-place team. I was listening to Boston Sports Radio during the game and the commentators couldn't even figure out who it was that tied the game! Then, it was Fernando Perez who, despite having some serious challenges hitting from the left side of the plate, smokes a near home run off of the Green Monster for a double. Navarro drove him in on the next at bat and Perez ended up being the winning run. Both Perez and Johnson were not even on this team a few short days ago (Perez joined on 9/1).

Last night, Carlos Pena came through with a CLUTCH home run in the 14th inning. Perhaps this was the least surprising hitter to do so as he's the only guy left standing in the heart of the Rays order. But, even this was not routine as Carlos hit the HR to the OPPOSITE FIELD! If you follow the Rays, you know that many teams play "the Shift" against Carlos because he always pulls the ball. Opposite field homer in the 14th inning?

Finally, our mop-up reliever, Jason Hammel, came into the game with bases loaded and nobody out. He promptly notched his FIRST CAREER SAVE with a strong showing against the heart of the Red Sox order (Kevin Youkilis - an AL MVP contender, Jason "should have been a Ray" Bay and Alex Cora). He threw some nasty pitches to "Not a Ray" Bay (first Red Sox player to go 0-for-7 in nearly 10 years) and stayed strong against Youk and Cora. JASON HAMMEL, Rays fans!!!

The only conclusions I can draw from these dramatic events of Tuesday and Wednesday (not to mention a bunch of other amazing comebacks, walkoffs and leaping, game-saving catches (Gabe Gross, Justin Ruggianno, BJ Upton, etc.) are the following:

1) This team has incredible heart. After starting September slow and hearing all the pundits say "I told you the Rays would fold..." this team picked itself up and notched the 2 biggest wins in franchise history! AND

2) This is a team of distiny. The Rays have found a way to win despite not having their #2, #3 and #4 hitters in the line-up and despite having no closer (sorry, Percy, you don't count right now). This is only possible

The Rays still have plenty of baseball left to play, but Tuesday and Wednesday may just prove to be the pivital moment in the 2008 Rays season. GO RAYS!!!

Rays vs. Red Sox (9/15-9/17): GREAT SEATS STILL AVAILABLE!

RAYS TICKETS ON STUBHUB - CLICK HERE!

Check back when the Rays vs. Red Sox series nears for great seats.

Go Rays!

Rays Make "First Wave" of Roster Moves: Preparing for Post-season Push!

The Tampa Bay Rays made there first series of roster moves to bolster the team for both the pennant race as well as the possibility of the playoffs. The Rays added a potential base running weapon that could prove valuable in tight games down the road in outfielder Fernando Perez, who was called up from Triple-A Durham on Sunday night (this makes him eligible for postseason play). In a move to create further roster flexibility, the Rays sent Juan Salas to Double-A Montgomery and brought up RHP Jae Kuk Ryu from Durham and promptly placed him on the 15-day disabled list. This might seems like a silly thing to do, but it provides the Rays with significant flexibility for the post season as the team is allowed to replace an injured player with any other player on the 40-man roster. Thus, the Rays effectively have 2 open spots on their post-season roster (Ryu and Chad Ovella, who is also on the DL). Thus, the Rays can potentially add David Price and/or one of their other top pitching prospects if needed down the stretch (they will likely bring Salas back for September and could add him to the playoff roster as well). It appears as though the Rays want to get Price some additional work in the Triple-A playoffs (Price was just named the Durham Bulls Game 1 starter) before bringing him up (Durham begins a 5-game playoff series on Wednesday, September 3rd).

The Rays also called up catcher John Jaso, who will join the team as the third catcher. Andrew Friedman indicated that Jaso is unlikely to be utilized for anything more than a pinch runner or hitter. The combination of a third catcher with the addition of Perez will allow Joe Maddon to pinch run for Navarro or Riggans late in a game without having to “go naked” at the catching position. Given Perez’ speed, this could be a big lift in key games (recall the multiple times that Navi has been thrown out at home trying to score from second base on a hit). Perez batted .288 (.301 vs. lefties) with 11 triples and 43 stolen bases (caught stealing 12 times). The Rays also seem to like his defense although we've not been able to locate any reliable information on his defensive capabilities.

John Jaso looks to be a pretty disciplined hitter registering only 47 strikeouts in 2008 vs. 107 hits and 72 walks (OBP of .391 as well) and has shown modest power with a HR every 10 games or so (12 total in 2008). He could be a nice bat off of the bench for the Rays as well.