Is Tampa Bay pitching overrated?

While Tampa Bay has had plenty of named talent over the last few years from Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Matt Garza and then David Price came along. This along with a top offense and elite talent has led to their recent success in the AL East. Perhaps overvalued is a bit harsh, but they have several pitching changes and again compared to their peers in the division have some flaws.

Departing this year will be the presence of Kazmir at the top of the rotation, but that shouldn’t be a bad thing. His walk rate was always high and with the drop in velocity it’s likely the drop in strikeouts is going to stick around. He is surely not the ace of seasons before.

That leaves James Shields as the team ace and that is a good start. He was the ninth most valuable pitcher in the AL last year based on pitching runs above replacement. There were some cracks in his season though as his walk rate climbed, but not an extreme amount and should regress in 2010.

9/1: Lester takes the hill

GAME NOTES: Jon Lester is suddenly the Sox’s new ace with Josh Beckett having given up a horrifying 10 home runs in his last three starts. This is a crucial series, as the outcome of the series will likely dictate the Rays’ playoff chances the rest of the way.

5/1: Welcome back offense

Matt Garza made the Red Sox bats disappear last night. Let’s hope there’s some pent up offense ready to explode this evening against Andy Sonnanstine. Justin Masterson looks to make it back to back impressive outings, following up on his performance Sunday night against the Yankees. I wonder if Justin drove the Mini down to Tampa?

TAM 13, BOS 0: Roadblock

Even though Boston just recently had an 11-game winning streak snapped and beat the Cleveland Indians coming back from a 5-run deficit winning on a Jonathan Van Every homer in extra innings — his first of his MLB career — the Red Sox still have some things to figure out. Matt Garza is one and Josh Beckett is the other.

Know Thine Enemy 2009: Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off their first successful season in the history of the franchise. Finally, they’re not considered doormats with no vision of the future. Now the Pirates stand alone there. (Even the Royals are much improved!)

This club is scary in the pool of young talent they already hold plus more on the way in the minor leagues. The Rays will compete for a very, very long time. But will they be able to withstand the Red Sox and Yankees assault in 2009?

10/14: Is Wake our Savior?

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Oct. 14

GAME 4 – ALCS

2008

Andy Sonnanstine (1-0, 3.18 @ Tim Wakefield (0-0, -.–)
Fenway Park (Boston, MA)
8:07 PM EDT, TBS

2B Akinori Iwamura

RF J.D. Drew

CF B.J. Upton

2B Dustin Pedroia

1B Carlos Pena

DH David [...]

What Sox need to do at the plate, in the field

IN THE FIELD
Tim Wakefield last pitched in a game on September 28, meaning that while he will be extremely well-rested, the potential exists that he will be far too rusty [...]

9/16: BecKKKett

Prev. Gm:

Boston Red Sox (89-61) @ Tampa Bay Rays (88-60)
Josh Beckett (12-9, 4.10) @ Andy Sonnanstine (13-7, 4.47)
7:10 PM EDT | Fenway Park (Boston, MA)
TV: NESN RADIO: WRKO 680, SBN [...]

Battle For First Place: Sox, Rays open up three-game set

Sure, if all breaks right this upcoming series at the Trop, the Red Sox could find themselves in first place with an opportunity to finish first two straight years since [...]

Know Thy Enemy: 2008 Tampa Bay Rays

When you’ve finished nine of the ten seasons in your franchise’s history in last place of your division and you’ve only cracked the 70 win mark once, maybe a change [...]