4/9: With a heavy heart
While Dice-K attempts to build upon his second straight MVP of the World Baseball Classic, the baseball world grieves for the death of Angels starting pitcher Nick Adenhart.
Category: Tampa Bay Rays
4/8: Lefty time
Game two of the regular season is underway, with Jon Lester on the mound. He's predicted by many to establish himself as one of, if not the, best pitchers in the league this season. Well, it all starts here, Jon, against a fellow left-handed fireballer.
Fireside Chats #40: Where we celebrate Opening Day and talk Rays with DRaysBay.com
The 2009 season is finally upon us and we celebrate a win over those pesky Rays by taunting the very bloggers that cover them. Old friends of the show Tommy and Erik were kind enough not to back out of an appearance after the loss today to talk about the 2009 Rays and give us some perspective as we watch this team in action over the next few days.
Of course, we couldn't let the show go without reminiscing fondly over C.C. Sabbathia's first start in a Yankee uniform. While we don't expect him to throw $800k stinkers out there every start, we do think that the Yankees bullpen on the road to Rivera is wrought with potholes.
All that and more on Episode #40 of Fireside Chats on MVN!
BOS 5, TB 3: Beckett’s back
Any questions about Josh Beckett returning to his 2007 form were answered against the Tampa Bay Rays. At least for one start.
4/7: …And We’re Baaaack
It's here. Game 1 of 162. Let's come out strong and kick some Ray butt!
Poll: Who wins the first “AL East Showdown”?
Today we pick right back up where we left off last season; playing the Tampa Bay Rays. For those of you who don't believe early season matchups matter over the long haul, I'll remind you that when it comes to the 2009 AL East three teams are fighting for what will likely be two playoff spots. The difference between October baseball and some late season tee times could likely come down to only a handful of games. That handful starts today.
With that in mind, our first "in season" poll question asks "who will draw first blood in the AL East"?
As always, the poll can be found in the left hand sidebar. Votes will be tallied tomorrow.
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?
Congratulations to the Tampa Bay Rays
Dear Tampa, You did it. It was only fitting that the Red Sox would come back from an improbable loss to force Game Six, but it had to be done to further the Cinderella season.
10/19: Do or Die Part III
We've been in this situation before. Last year. 2004. 1986. Are we going to make it 4-4 in improbable comebacks, or is our time up? Find out tonight.
10/18: Do or Die Pt. II
2008 ALCS Game Six. Victory may seem unlikely, but the Red Sox have not claimed a championship title in the last ninety years without first digging themselves a 1-3 (or worse) hole in the ALCS, and then climbing out of it on their way to a World Series sweep. (The comment behavior is a little funky. Do not worry, when you hit submit, even if it times out for you, the comment went through. Just reload the comments page!)