The 2009 Tampa Bay Rays played their fortieth game of the season on Monday, May 18th and in so doing got themselves back to the .500 mark at 20-20. But at this point, things that went right in 2008 so far have not in 2009, and the Rays find themselves in fourth place in their division.
Things have taken a strange turn for the Tampa Bay Rays – the 2008 team was pitching-strong but anemic on offense. In 2009, the offense looks like their best ever (slight exaggeration) while the pitching has looked mediocre.
Perhaps no player better represents this turnaround than Jason Bartlett. In my opinion, Bartlett is the most underrated style of player – the all-glove, offensive-liability shortstop. Every team should have one. I would take Bartlett over Derek Jeter any day of the week.
Except, Bartlett is no longer filling the role as described. Coming into 2009, Bartlett’s career high for a single season OPS was .760, and he did that three years ago. This year, his OPS is 1.010, a num...
Found May 26, 2009 on
Baseball Reflections:
PLAYERS:
Jason Bartlett,
Derek Jeter,
Evan Longoria,
Ryan Howard,
Dustin Pedroia,
Carl Crawford,
Carlos Pena,
Pat Burrell,
Scott Kazmir,
Grant Balfour,
Dan Wheeler,
Joe Nelson,
David Price,
Wade Davis,
Mitch Talbot
TEAMS: Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago White Sox
TEAMS: Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago White Sox
Original Story:
Yardbarker aggregates the latest sports news, rumors and gossip from around the web. We use proprietary algorithms to automatically categorize stories and associate photos with articles. If you feel an article was miscategorized, please email tagging@yardbarker.com.
THE BACKYARD
AROUND THE WEB
RELATED ARTICLES
Rays Announce Joe Maddon Contract Extension to 2012
Via The Biz of Baseball
|
May 26, 2009
The Tampa Bay Rays and Manager Joe Maddon agreed today on a three-year contract extension. The contract extends through the 2012 season. Financial terms were not disclosed. “Joe’s approach and demeanor are exemplary,” said Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg. “He is a key member of our organization’s leadership, and I expect that together, we will continue...
|
May 26, 2009
Does Jorge Cantu make sense...
Via Mets Fever
|
May 26, 2009
When Jorge Cantu was a 23 year old, second baseman with the Tampa Bay Rays and was hitting 28 home runs in the 2005 season ( 119 RBI's), it was reported that Omar Minaya was enamored with the young player.But just two years later when Minaya could have claimed him off waivers or sign him, at minimal cost, the Mets decided to pass.After struggling for two years, Cantu has regained...
|
May 26, 2009
Morning Update: My Head Hurts
Okay I want to get some of this stuff out of the way before get to the game and the injuries and all the other stuff..Rumors have been running RAMPANT this past week with Mark DeRosa being traded or being on the block.For whatever reason, teams need first and third baseman and DeRo is a popular name being throwing around.Why?Looks like the Indians just want to go with Luis Valbuena...
Rays beat Cards, have won eight of their past nine
Andy Sonnanstine carried a shutout into the eighth inning and added two singles to a 12-hit outburst in the streaking Tampa Bay Rays' 3-1 victory over the sagging St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.
a<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://feeds.sportsline.com/~a/cbssportsline/mlb_news?a=u...
Ozzie Guillen Ranting Again
Via Walker-Sports
|
June 04, 2008
Man, I Know Walker Sports is known for Walker's Rants, but maybe we should just let this guy come in and guest write all those articles for us. Once again Chicago Whitesox skipper Ozzie Guillen is in the news ranting and raving about his team and his GM.
|
June 04, 2008
Alex Gonzalez sucks as far as I'm concerned
Alex Gonzalez has tortured the Cleveland Indians this weekend and throughout his career.In 57 at-bats, he's got 20 hits, that a .358 average if I remember from the calculator that I closed with the calculation. 10 RBI's as well, that's just mean.So I hate him.. JerkJERK!WHAT GIVES WITH THIS?!I don't know what to say.. The bullpen gave in.. They gave us enough.. More...
Jake Peavy Shuts Down Punchless Cubs
Two days ago it looked like Jake Peavy was going to become a member of the Chicago White Sox, but the trade was vetoed by Peavy himself, and he remained a member of the San Diego Padres. Friday night he took the mound against the other Chicago team, the offensively inept Cubs, and showed the [...]
Part 2 of 3: Loathing The Designated Hitter
Phil Rogers continues in Common Sense Calls: DH in NL too.
An NL backer will probably see the domination of the AL over the last decade and a half as a random, cyclical confluence of events. But I believe it has a lot to do with the DH rule.
I’m an NL backer, not an idiot. (No comments on that please) I think anybody with moderate knowledge of baseball can understand the...
Carl Pavano and the Indians win the game being played by Clevelands other team tonight
Via NFL Football Online
|
May 26, 2009
Tampa Bay Rays @ Cleveland IndiansMay 26, 2009Matt Garza vs. Carl PavanoProgressive FieldCleveland, OhioIts game two of the series, or better known as the night of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Indians are looking to build momentum after last night’s incredible comeback. I don’t remember ESPN covering even a Tribe playoff game in ‘07 as intently as...
|
May 26, 2009
After You Flipped The Channel….TRIBE WINS!
Via Waiting For Next Year
|
May 26, 2009
Entering the eighth inning of last night’s game, the Cleveland Indians trailed the Tampa Bay Rays 10-2 . How they got there was courtesy of quite the display of mound work. Their starting pitcher, Fausto Carmona, went from an easy 1-2-3 first inning to putting on eight men, five via the walk, and allowed five [...]
|
May 26, 2009
High pitch counts nothing new for Price
David Price’s 2009 Tampa debut didn’t quite live up to the hype. The top pitching prospect in the game, per Baseball America, lasted only 3.1 innings against the Indians on Monday, despite throwing 100 pitches. He struck out six and walked five and racked up a lot of high pitch counts. It shouldn’t be surprising that he didn’t last deep into the game. When he tossed five...
MLB Forum Discussions
|
|
|
|
|
Today's Best Stuff |
For BloggersJoin the Yardbarker Network (YBN) for more promotion, traffic, and money. |
Company Info |
Help |
What is Yardbarker?Yardbarker is the largest network of sports blogs and pro athlete blogs on the web. This site is the hub of the Yardbarker Network, where our editors and algorithms curate the best sports content from our network and beyond. |
