Tampa Bay Rays 2008 Midseason Update

Tampa Bay Rays Update: Overview

If you had presented the current standings to any baseball pundit at the beginning of the season, no one would have believed that the Tampa Bay Rays would be sitting atop of the American League East. The Tampa Bay Rays dropped the ‘Devil’ from their name and seem to have finally broken the expansion team curse. New uniforms brought a new attitude to Tampa Bay and the Tampa Bay Rays continue to surprise opponents. The Tampa Bay Rays are doing it all with a good pitching performance, solid defensive play and well-timed sensible hitting. Before now, the Tampa Bay Rays were the dregs of the AL East. Now the Tampa Bay Rays are sitting comfortably atop the MLB and looking strong while doing it.

Tampa Bay Rays Update: Offense

The Tampa Bay Rays are young and fast with All-Star left fielder Carl Crawford and speedy center fielder BJ Upton anchoring. Carl Crawford became the only player in MLB history to reach 1,000 hits before turning 27 years old. Carlos Pena is a powerful hitter who will likely move to the designated hitter spot due to an injury that may affect his ability to throw. With rookie standout Evan Longoria making noise with his bat and Eric Hinske becoming a solid contributor, the Tampa Bay Rays lineup is solid and will be so for years to come if this group of bats stays together.

Tampa Bay Rays Update: Defense

The pitching rotation of the Tampa Bay Rays has given the Tampa Bay Rays solid play all season long. P Andy Sonnanstine is tied for fifth amongst American League pitchers with nine wins and only three losses. Scott Kazmir has pitched to a 7-3 record with a 2.63 ERA. And closing pitcher JP Howell is undefeated with six wins, two saves and a 2.96 ERA. As a team the Tampa Bay Rays have the fourth-best ERA in Major League Baseball at 3.67. With one of the best defenses up the middle of the diamond, the Tampa Bay Rays boast a .985 fielding percentage and 47 errors. With clutch catches from CF BJ Upton, the Tampa Bay Rays were able to stun the Boston Red Sox and sweep the defending champions at Tropicana Field for the second time this season.

In all sports it is said that defense wins championships, and the Tampa Bay Rays have the best pitching rotation in the AL East division. However, first base has been a bit of an issue for the Tampa Bay Rays all season. Carlos Pena is currently suffering from an injured index finger that hampers his ability to throw the ball and with other infielders dealing with issues off the field, the Tampa Bay Rays are playing infield by committee. If the Tampa Bay Rays can remain solid on the defensive side of the ball, they are poised to continue their amazing run.

Tampa Bay Rays Update: Standings

After nine last-place finishes in 10 seasons, the Tampa Bay Rays are leading a division that includes the defending champion Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. In fact, the Tampa Bay Rays are the best team in all of baseball. As of July 3, 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays currently have a major league-best 52-32 record putting them on pace for 100 wins this season and good for a 3.5 game lead in the AL East. Already 2008 is one of the best years the Tampa Bay Rays have ever had. The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing to build on improvements from 2007 and at this pace will secure the franchise’s first winning season.

Tampa Bay Rays Update: Standouts

Evan Longoria was hailed as the top prospect in the minors. The Tampa Bay Rays called 3B Evan Longoria up from the Triple-A Durham Bulls in April. Evan Longoria has earned his keep at the plate and in the infield, batting his way to 15 homeruns and 47 RBIs. The solid defensive play of Evan Longoria has kept the Tampa Bay Rays in plenty games this season and has Evan Longoria being mentioned in Gold Glove talks. Currently Evan Longoria leads AL Rookies in nearly every offensive stat category.

Tampa Bay Rays Update: Outlook

The Tampa Bay Rays are showing opposing teams who has the juice at Tropicana Field. With a farm system that is likely to continue to yield decent young talent, the Tampa Bay Rays are at the top of their game. Barring a major collapse, they will remain at the top of their game and the league. If the Tampa Bay Rays can keep their bullpen healthy and if the young Tampa Bay Rays can handle the mental stress of August and September, the Tampa Bay Rays have a good shot at their first pennant race. Teams around baseball are waiting on the Tampa Bay Rays to falter and if the Tampa Bay Rays continue to get this lack of respect from opponents, expect them to continue to sparkle. The Tampa Bay Rays are a prime example of worst to first.