Rays Resurgence I recall in the spring I had a post where I felt the Blue Jays RSW number was too much lower than the Rays and that the teams would be closer. Both teams will likely go over their RSW number. I think TB must be only a few wins away as well now from going over their RSW number.
The Rays have been down and out a few times this year and may still end up down and out of the playoffs but I do think I understand why the Rays and their season has worked out-----one is an obvious and the other isn't so obvious.
Obvious Answer:
The Rays starting pitching is/was even stronger than I thought and what most people think. Price has had a so so year but Shields has been outstanding to make up for that. Hellickson is a gem. Davis and Niemann are at least solid and both have had moments of being more like #2 pitchers in a staff than #4 or #5.
At the beginning of the year, probably Price was figured to be an ace and Shields to be inconsistent. Probably some recognition that the other guys would be okay to good. And they have another guy who I'm not sure if they called up and may not use now I suppose who is supposed a blue chip superstar prospect as well. Moore maybe? Don't know the name.
Not so obvious answer
I'm far far from even knowledgeable about all of the new baseball stats out there but the Rays have an INCREDIBLE Defence. Something I read a month ago showed how no team in baseball puts shifts on defensively playing against hitter's tendencies and has the success the Rays do.
It all goes back to Maddon and I've never met the man but he's a good interview, conveys a positive attitude and credit has to be given that he's a good manager. The franchise has done well since he's been there. The GM is very good too. The payroll is $47-Million or somewhere in that area. Probably someone out there has watched a bunch of Rays games and can speak more about his in game management. But from where I am he's good.
They are peaking at the right time if they can make it.
Had to write something about this meaningless baseball team tonight still incredibly pissed that the Dolphin game didn't land on 7 absolutely infuriating. And I posted about the Raiders LW and that if you have half a brain you say good bye to the Broncos and I got rid of part of my bet but since I had them PK I didn't get rid of all of it. Absolutely got my ass kicked.
