Rays
After a series win versus the Red Sox over the weekend the Rays enter the week of Auguest 30th tied with the Yankees for the best record in baseball and a share of the lead in the A.L. East. The Rays stay at home with a three game series vs. the Toronto Blue Jays before heading off to Baltimore for a weekend series versus the Orioles. The Jays come into town with Tampa Bay now having a two game win streak and have won 10 consecutive series against Toronto at Tropicana Field. Their record is 41-25 overall at home for the season and a respectable 39-25 on the road. Something to look for will be strong outings from starting pitchers [...] Read More..

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com is reporting that the Rays will sign free agent outfielder Brad Hawpe. This is a very nice pickup for the Rays. Hawpe, 31, was recently released by the Rockies. He will add outfield depth and a veteran presence to the clubhouse. He has postseaon experience making it to the World Series with the Rockies in 2007. Not only is he a .280 lifetime hitter he has hit over 20 HR’s four straight seasons.
The Rays probably would have prefered to get a right handed bat to platoon with Matt Joyce but it’s slim pickins in the waiver department this season. Johnny Damon has invoked his no trade clause and will remain with the Tigers. Manny Ramirez is by [...] Read More..

-Sabby Piscitelli should take a long look in the mirror and watch some tape from last season instead of mouthing off about losing his job.
-WR Mike Williams will be a sleeper in Fantasy Football this season. Prediction: 68 rec – 891 yards – 6 TDs
-Two teams came back after being down 10-1 on Wed. What does Joe Maddon do when the Rays fall way behind? Take out the starters…
-No way the Rays make a move to pick up Manny Ramirez.
-Skip Holtz will win the Big East Coach of the Year award in his first season
-Wouldn’t it be nice if Plant High player James Wilder Jr. changed his mind and signed with the Bulls to stay closer to home.
-Is it me [...] Read More..

Point The Finger: Sean Rodriguez vs. Scott Kazmir

 
Trades, trades, and more trades. Trading players in the MLB is an essential part to building a contender. Baseball is different than other sports where you can rebuild a franchise within a year or two. In baseball rebuilding can easily take 5 or more years. First, you have to trade off any veteran player with any worth. Second, you have to choose wisely in the draft. Third, you have to give young players a chance to play and develop. All of this means a lot of L’s in the standings. Ask the Pittsburgh Pirates or Kansas City Royals. There is obviously much more than that (timely free agent signings, etc.) that goes into [...] Read More..

-What is Gabe Kapler doing on the Rays?
-Is it just me or is everyone overreacting to Jeremy Hellickson’s early succes?
-Even in the middle of a pennant race the Rays are making the correct decision to monitor Jeremy Hellickon’s innings to a 20 percent increase from 2009.
-With a strong finish David Price will win the A.L. Cy Young award this season.
-It was a little dissapointing to see the attendence at the Trop was only around 18,000 on Monday for the Lee vs. Price matchup.
-I’m not surprised the Chiefs vs. Bucs game Saturday night will be blacked out locally. They charge full price to watch backups.
-Rookie cornerback Myron Lewis will evantually win the battle over E.J. Biggers and Elbert Mack.
-Running back Derrick [...] Read More..