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So, what do you know about the Rays? (KTE Aug 7-9)

Frayed Knot Aug 06 2015 08:43 AM

We last faced these guys in June of 2012 when we kicked the eventual 90-win Rays around in a 3-game sweep behind the likes of Chris Young (11-2), RA Dickey (9-1) and Johan Santana (9-6). That start for Johan was the 2nd one after his no-hitter and (although he didn't know it at the time) just eight before the end of his career. But the Rays have been in transition since then to the point where I don't know much about them right now. Things I do know about the current (54-55) Rays: - 3B Evan Longoria is still good but he's a cut below the superstar he seemed to be after he first came up as his upper 800s OPS's from 2008-2013 have morphed into the low-mid 700s over the last two years while Trout was blowing past him as the AL's hot young stud. - CF Kevin Keirmaier (Keer-Meyer) is a REAL GOOD center-fielder. He's a lot like a LH and somewhat better hitting Lagares. One year younger than JL and in his 2nd full season, he's a running, throwing, diving one-man hi-light reel but, again like Juan, one where it's not clear when or if the offense is going to catch up. He's even regressed a bit this season [765 OPS in 2014 >> 674] although he does have 35 XBHs this year including 11 triples. After those two I'm a bit stumped, so someone help me out here.

Edgy MD Aug 06 2015 08:47 AM Re: So, what do you know about the Rays? (KTE Aug 7-9)

Johan's still pitchin', man. His agents says so, anyhows.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 06 2015 08:58 AM Re: So, what do you know about the Rays? (KTE Aug 7-9)

Their No. 1 catcher is 31-year-old Rene Rivera, slashing .183/.215/.290 // .505 That's a 41 OPS+. Forty-one!!

Edgy MD Aug 06 2015 09:00 AM Re: So, what do you know about the Rays? (KTE Aug 7-9)

I was all over that and hit submit and realized I got scooped. Their number one catcher is former Mariner René Rivera, and apart from having ears like a boxer, is having just about the worst hitting season of any major league regular in recent memory: .183 / .215 / .290 // .505. It is hard to hit like that into August and still call yourself a big leaguer, much less a regular. Which doesn't mean you can take him for granted. Ichiro Suzuki has been terrible this season but he's certainly hurt the Mets. You may remember René from his 2009 minor league contract with the Mets. He spent the whole year in Buffalo, and hit like... somebody who spends the whole year in Buffalo, waiting for an opportunity to play for the 2009 Mets that never comes. He is nonetheless a minor cult hero among defensive metric geeks.

Frayed Knot Aug 06 2015 11:01 AM Re: So, what do you know about the Rays? (KTE Aug 7-9)

Their pitching seems pretty decent (4th fewest R/G, 2nd lowest WHiP in AL) and it looks like we're going to see the best of what they've got. Friday (7:10) -- deGrom vs Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 2.86, 1.19) Odorizzi is a 25 y/o former 1st round pick of the Brewers was traded to KC for Zack Greinke and then to TB for James Shields. First full season was 2014 Saturday (6:10) -- Syndergaard vs Nate Karns (6-5, 3.37, 1.20) Karns is a 27 y/o rookie who came from Washington two years back in an exchange for backup catcher Jose Lobaton and that Felipe Rivero reliever whose ass we kicked the other night. Sunday (1:10) -- Colon vs Chris Archer (10-8, 2.54, 0.99) Archer is in his 3rd full season now at age 26, was an All-Star this year, and is clearly the Tampa ace at this point. (113 hits in 148 innings) IOW, it certainly seems like runs are going to be tougher to come by than they were on the east side of Florida.

Edgy MD Aug 06 2015 11:19 AM Re: So, what do you know about the Rays? (KTE Aug 7-9)

First baseman is former Dodger with the lanky, loopy swing James Loney. That middling power that always seemed to be more than it was has finally been realized. Oh, wait, check that. It's done whatever THE OPPOSITE of being realized isn't. His power has all but disappeared, leaving the Rays with a .265 / .320 / .345 // .665 line, not really what you want at first, or most anywhere. But really at first. But James is an old pro, and he grinds it out, getting the winning hit last week against Boston, but he's been sitting against lefties in recent weeks. James is married to Nadia Loney, who I'm sure is a lovely person, but glammy engagement photos tend to put me off. Coming prospect Richie Shaffer plays both corners and may be in the process of stealing the job from him outright. You'll certainly see him against lefties. He's a former first-rounder who's having a breakthrough year at AA and AAA.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 06 2015 11:38 AM Re: So, what do you know about the Rays? (KTE Aug 7-9)

You may have seen Rays shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera on the highlights yesterday: He left the Rays-White Sox game woozy after a deflecting a throw to catch a would-be basestealer off the side of his face. Looked like it hurt. The play came in the 10th inning of a tie game at Comiskey and allowed the basestealer, Adam Eaton, to get to third with none out. Naturally, the Rays intentionally walked Abreu and Melky Cabrera to create a force at every base only to see Avasil Garcia walk-in the walk-off on a pitch that wasn't even close. The pitcher was Brad Boxburger, the Rays' unimpressive closer. After the game Boxburger criticized the decision to issue the intentional walks. Cabrera seems to be OK.

Edgy MD Aug 07 2015 06:11 AM Re: So, what do you know about the Rays? (KTE Aug 7-9)

Logan Forsythe isn't just the handsome but ruthless industrialist from Days of Our Nights, but he's also the Rays second baseman and best hitter, leading the regulars in OPS and batting cleanup with 13 homers. It's a huge breakthrough year for the ex-Padre in a career that typically saw him put up OPS numbers 150 beans lower. He's got rusty red hair and a beard but doesn't wear it all crazy like some other infielders. His wife is babyfaced fellow Razorback Ally Atkins, who just looks like trouble. But hey! He got married and started hitting like an all-star, so ... .

Frayed Knot Aug 07 2015 07:27 AM Re: So, what do you know about the Rays? (KTE Aug 7-9)

Outfielders? Yeah, they got several. We've already mentioned Kenin Keirmaier who plays pretty much every day in CF. For the other spots it's almost easier to talk about who we WON'T be seeing: - LF had been David DeJesus but he was dealt to the Angels last week (thus robbing Gary of at least a dozen mentions of Rutgers) - we also WON'T be seeing hard-hitting rookie Steven Souza (so no need to strike up the band) as he was DL'd last week - or #1 (2011) draft pick Mikie Mahtook (no, that's not mis-spelled) who was up briefly but just sent back down - we MIGHT be seeing Desmond Jennings who's been out since April but is on a rehab assignment and could be back any day now What we COULD see is a couple of reclamation projects instead: Grady Sizemore was recently picked up of waivers as was Daniel Nava (and when you're picking up parts that the Phillies and Red Sox don't want ...). They've also been using some guy named Guyer who's been with the team off and on since 2011 but I had never heard of until some 15 seconds before typing his name just now. John Jaso is doing much of their DH-ing these days