Reaction to Friday's big events

Friday could turn out to be one of the biggest days of the season for the Rays.  It all started innocently enough with a quick message on the Durham Bulls twitter account saying: +@#" and *#@+;! just got called up to the bigs. With that it was off to the races for journalists, bloggers, and other MLB rumor fans.  Around lunchtime, it was confirmed that Dale Thayer and Reid Brignac were coming to the team.  But, when who they were replacing wasn't confirmed the speculation just continues.  Was a trade in the works? Was somebody hurt?

Soon, we knew the answer. Andrew Friedman flew down to Miami and let us know that Troy Percival and Scott Kazmir were on the disabled list and David Price was coming to the big leagues. That's right. The day we've all been waiting for starts on Monday. The Price era begins in Tampa Bay.

According to the St. Pete Times, manager Joe Maddon says it's likely Troy Percival will retire. He told the team his arm was numb when he took the mound the other day and couldn't let his teammates down any more. There's plenty of hate on Percy, but I think he was an integral part of getting this team to the next level last year.  Who could forget in spring training when he compared the Rays starting rotation to the old Atlanta Braves rotation?  He was a veteran leader that the bullpen missed in 2007.  He helped teach guys like Balfour and Howell how to be effective.  Many Rays fans I know blasted me for defending Percy as much as I did, but I will say that the team was better for having him here.

As for Scott Kazmir, it looks like a little rehab is just what the doctor ordered.  I'm really rooting for Kaz.  He's the single most successful pitcher in Rays history... and he's only 25.  The Rays need this guy to get back to form if they're going to keep making runs this year and next.  Just imagine the 2007 Kazmir following Price in the rotation with a Matt Garza and "Big Game" James Shields start thrown in there. The Yankees could only dream of buying such a rotation. The Red Sox would need more than Jason Bay to keep up.  I think we haven't seen the last of Scotty Kazmir this year.  I think once he clears his head and gets back on track, we'll see the Kaz of 2007.  A guy, on a bad team, you didn't want to miss his start.

Rays solve Orioles... all it takes is back-to-back hits by the .150 brothers

For another fleeting moment, 2008 seemed to return.  Late in a game, with the opposing pitcher dominating, the bottom of the Rays order came through to give the Rays a lead they wouldn't relinquish.  The Rays did what they needed to do and finished off the homestand with a victory of the last place Baltimore Orioles.  It didn't look good at first, but they clawed out an afternoon win. Now, they head off to new Yankee Stadium with a chance to gain some ground in the AL East.

Here are some things I noticed:

• Props to the .150 brothers for coming up big in today's win. Navi went 2-3 and scored 2 runs, while Bossman knocked in the go-ahead RBI.

• Matt Garza had another good performance tonight.  Now, if he can only keep from giving up the home run.

• Once again, Evan Longoria shows why he's quietly making a case for MVP honors this year. There's still a lot of baseball left, but who can argue with the value he brings to this team day in and day out.

• Troy Percival got his 4th save of the year.  Of course, he only faced one batter. But, he did his job and shut the door on the Orioles.
  

10 things I would like to see the Rays do on the West Coast

Yesterday's whipping at the hands of the Chicago White Sox left a sour taste in my mouth during today's off day. All day discussions among Rays fans have been about how bad the team is playing and how it looks like they really were one year wonders.  The consensus seems to be that Rays needed the day off and the trip to the West Coast to get themselves together and refocused on their defense of the American League Pennant. It's not going to be easy for the team. They're not going to sneak up on anybody. Everybody's going to be gunning for them. Everybody's is going to scout them.  Now is the time for the team to come together and get on track. It begins tomorrow night in Seattle.

With that being said, here are 10 things I want to see out of the Rays in Seattle (assuming I can stay up late enough to watch the entire game):

1. Quick Start-  The Rays need to jump on the starters early. I'm tired of this 5 minute 1st inning stuff. Don't let the starter get comfortable. Make sure he knows from the first pitch that he's not facing some second rate AL West team, he's facing the AL Champions! A team on a mission! A team to be reckoned with.
2. Small Ball- Back to Rays baseball. The homer is fun and I enjoy the horn followed by "Feel the Heat,"  but let's face facts... this isn't a home run team. This team needs to get base runners, move them over, and hit them in. This team needs to quit relying on the long ball all the time. When you get up to the plate, don't think about changing the game with one swing. Instead, go up there and figure out how you're going to get the runner over or in.  Once you start moving runners, you'll start seeing better pitchers and the homers will take care of themselves. 
3. Get the guys out you're supposed to get out- Every team has them. You know the guys that are easy outs every time through the order.  The good fielding shortstop that can't hit good.  The guy called up from AAA to cover for an injury.  They have names like Gardener, Anderson, Lilibridge.  They're guys you wouldn't recognize on the street and you barely recognize them on TV. These guys need to be dispatched... with a vengeance. I don't want this faceless bunch getting on base. I also don't want them scoring runs. I want them out. And I want them out, yesterday!
4. Throw Strikes- Seems like a simple proposition, but it seems that Rays pitchers have had a little bit of problems in this area.  It's not just the starters. The bullpen is just as guilty.  These guys need to throw strikes early and throw them often. Get ahead of the batters. Let them know you mean business.
5. Lose the slumps- I'm tired of the slump excuses. It ends now. That means you, Pat the Bat! Both Gabes, get your slump buster going! Willy Aybar, get it done! Dioner Navarro, start wrecking the ball! Bossman, getting really going! I want to see some solid hitting from the entire lineup... including the bench players. I'm tired of excuses. Start knockin!
6. Good base running- I've seen some sloppy base running so far this season.  There's no excuse for men paid to play professional baseball to see some of the Little League mistakes I'm seeing out there. I'll forgive a guy who has blazing speed, but Kaplar, Gross, Pena... you guys need to keep the fundamentals in mind. Don't get thrown out and blow a rally! Be aggressive, not stupid.
7. Quick, low pitch count innings- Would it be too much to ask for a quick 1,2,3 inning from the starters. Go out there, get the three guys you're supposed to get and go back to the dugout. I know these are professional hitters. But when your team rallies to get you back in the game, don't blow it by allowing a cheap run in the next inning. I don't want to even see a pitch count graphic on TV until the 6th inning.
8. The 2008 Wheeler, Balfour, and Howell- Look, I appreciate what you guys did last year. But, last year is over and now it's time to separate the men from the boys.  I want to see you regain your 2008 form Prove to the entire league that this bullpen wasn't just a one hit wonder last year.  Show the fans that love what you did last year that it wasn't a fluke.  Show that grit and determination that made the Bay Area fall in love with this pen.
9. A save from Troy Percival without any drama- Look, we know Maddon's going to run you out there again. There's no use fighting it. So, why night show us fans that you still have a little left in the tank. Show us why the Rays thought they could go into the year with you. Show us that you're over that injury that you used as an excuse last year. Show us you're more than a washed up, has-been that has some sort of blackmail material on Maddon.  Do it, Percy! Show us!
10. Some attitude- You did it last year. When the Yankees tried to push you around in Spring Training, you fought back. When the Red Sox tried to intimidate, you fought back. Nobody respected you.  They laughed at the little team in St. Petersburg trying to keep up with the big boys. The Yankees knew they'd catch you in the 2nd half. The Red Sox banked on you folding down the stretch. But, all along, you maintained that us versus the world attitude and proved them all wrong.  But, now that attitude's gone. You're like Rocky III, a champion who hasn't been tested. You've got all the trophies, rings, and banners... but, you've lost the attitude. Do something to get it back. Make it us versus the world again and you'll be successful!

Offense + bullpen + Percy = Win

Offense - Check

Bullpen - Check

Percy - Check

It all came together last night for the Rays. Offense, bullpen and Percy all did their part to break the three game home losing streak. Big Game James wasn't quite his dominant self, but you have to give him props for coming back from a rough 6th inning and then getting 4 straight outs before turning it over to the bullpen.

Here are some other things I noticed:

• The Rays are looking more and more like the team they're playing (White Sox), continuing to use the long ball to win games. Last night was no different, with 5 of the 6 runs coming off home runs. For the year, 30 of their 57 runs have come off homers.  I'm not really complaining, but it is worth keeping an eye on. 

•  Zorilla is quickly working his way toward replacing a Gabe.  His pinch-hit grand slam in the 6th was a thing of beauty.  I don't think Zorilla will completely replace the Gabes because he's needed as an infield back-up, but he's definitely pushing for more playing time.

• Percy and the bullpen.  As a staunch defender of Percy last year, I've been hearing it after his blown save the other night.  It was good to see him get a save, especially getting those first two outs quickly. I think the best way for Rays fans to deal with Percy is just to accept he's the closer. When Maddon thinks he can't get the job done, he'll be retired to the DL and we'll see Izzy. Or maybe, just maybe, Percy has something on Maddon that keeps him running him out there.

• After a great debut, the Vicious Circle line-up is having trouble at the number 1/number 2 spot. Bossman and CC are breaking the circle a bit. Both are struggling right now.  I expect them to eventually come out of it and strengthen the Vicious Circle. But, for now, they look like the cheap imitation bologna on a sandwich of Aki/Bartlett and Longo/Pena. We need them to be fine cut deli meat!
  

Open Letter to Joe Maddon. Re: Percy

I found this on the Buccaneers message board. I asked the author's permission to share it with the rest of you. Enjoy and feel free to add you own thoughts on Percy. Don't forget my post 5 Reasons Percy is Still on the Team.

Joe Maddon,

When are you going to figure out that Troy Percival is not the guy you coached in Anaheim? When are you going to figure out that this almost 40 yr old pitcher looks his age and more? What will it take for you to figure out that he used to get outs by blowing 97 mph fast balls at hitters; now he "attempts" to get outs with off speed pitches and weak looking fastballs. (I say attempts because he doesn't actually get the outs; or at least not until after the damage is done).

How many times do you have to see Percival fail and fail again to realize this? Why are you so blinded by your former "relationship" with him that you can't see that he hasn't been consistent since May of last year? You have MANY options in the bullpen, so why is it you can't see that this guy not only doesn't give you the best opportunity win but also gives you the best opportunity to blow the game?

With a 4.53 ERA last year, a 9.00 ERA this year, do you actually see these numbers as successful for a pitcher in the closer role?

I find it absolutely SICKENING that you bring in this washed up worthless pile of **** into the game during two CRITICAL moments against teams with high powered lineups. He came DAMN close to blowing one game, and blew today's game.

Open your eyes, Maddon, and stop being blinded by your "friendship" with the guy. Just cut him, count your losses and move on.

Signed,

Bucs & Noles Fan

It's not your Daddy's AL East anymore!

I know. It's only the first series of the season. But, wasn't there something real satisfying about the way the Rays took it to the Red Sox at Fenway? We're only three games into the season and these guys are already playing like it's the ALCS all over again.  That, my friends, is what winning will do to a franchise.

To be honest, there are still some problems The Rays had some issues knocking runners in. And the bullpen gave a little bit. But, overall two great performances after the Game 1 loss.  The Rays put the Red Sox and their fans on notice that last year wasn't a fluke and any team that wants to win the AL East is going to have to scratch and claw its way all year.

Maddon Quote of the Day on Troy Percival:

 "It doesn't always have to be an oil painting to be successful," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "He's probably amped up, man, and I don't blame him. It's a Fenway moment."

Here are some of the things I noticed in Game 3:

• Matt Garza continued his domination of the Red Sox. The way he handled Dustin Pedroia in the 3rd inning was masterful. He got two called strikes, threw a brushback pitch, then got swinging. Filthy.  Except for Youk, none of the Red Sox had an answer for Garza.

• The Rays have really figured out how to play defense at Fenway Park. One of the reasons they struggled there last year was defensive miscues common at Fenway.  But, over this series, the Rays outfield really looked like they knew what they were doing out there.  Carl Crawford looked more comfortable than he ever has effortlessly playing balls off the wall, throwing out runners at third, and getting good jumps on liners in the gap.  Kaplar and Joyce also played some solid center field for the most part.

• I know Troy Percival makes many people sweat out there, but he got the job done.  A closer is not always going to be pretty. They're not always going to strike out the side. Right now, Percy is the best closer on the roster.  Balfour is needed in his setup roll and I'm not sure Wheeler can handle all the pressure with the game on the line. The Rays and Maddon will have a short leash with Percy once Izzy is completely healthy. Just be patient and celebrate any time Percy gets a save.

• The Baltimore Orioles are next on the schedule.  They're coming off a thumping by the New York Yankees following 2 straight wins.  We'll see the 2009 version of Andy Sonnanstine for the first time along with new #5 starter Jeff Niemann.