charlie 3Tampa Bay Rays
March 22nd 2010 18:20
Is Rafael Soriano the answer to the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen issues? They proved last year that their trip to the 2008 World Series was a fluke. Then again the veteren closers of Tampa Percival and Isringhausen were hurt. The bullpen in 2009 was in disaray unlike how strong it was in 2008. The Rays had 9 guys get at least one save last year. So Soriano may be the answer the pen has been looking for.
Lineup
1. SS Jason Bartlett- 2009 All Star
2. LF Carl Crawford- 2009 All Star Game MVP
3. 3B Evan Longoria- 2009 Silver Slugger
4. 1B Carlos Pena- Led AL in Home Runs in 2009
5. 2B Ben Zobrist- 2009 All Star
6. CF B.J. Upton- Hit for cycle in 2009
7. DH Pat Burrell- 2008 World Series Champion
8. RF Matt Joyce- 40 RBIs
9. C Dioner Navarro- 2008 All Star
The star power for the offense is there. But there are still questions at the DH, C, and RF positions. Will Burrell and Navarro produce this year? That is the major question for the offense. If they struggle in 2010 like they did in 2009 the Rays have people to replace them both. Kelly Shoppach will replace Navarro behind the plate. Willy Aybar would be the new DH is Burrell struggles. I know Burrell was a major reason why the Phillies won the rings in 2008 but i would not be surprised to see Burrell shoped around this year.
Rotation
1. James Shields- 615 strikeouts
2. Matt Garza- 2008 ALCS MVP
3. David Price- 4.17 ERA
4. Jeff Niemann- 14-7
5. Wade Davis- 36 strikeouts
All five starters can give number one preformances on any giving noght. Tampa should improve pitching wise with Kazmir and Sonnanstine gone. As i said earlier Soriano is the bullpen answer so that will fall right into place. If the Rays can find another starter i would say best rotation on paper.
Prediction: Tampa Bay has the talent and experiance to compete for a spot in October. With the young pitching staff however beating the Yankees and Red Sox seems impossiable. Let's hope i am wrong and see the Rays back in the World Series. The most likely scene for them though is a 3rd place finish in the AL East. 7 games out. 82-80 record
Lineup
1. SS Jason Bartlett- 2009 All Star
2. LF Carl Crawford- 2009 All Star Game MVP
3. 3B Evan Longoria- 2009 Silver Slugger
4. 1B Carlos Pena- Led AL in Home Runs in 2009
5. 2B Ben Zobrist- 2009 All Star
6. CF B.J. Upton- Hit for cycle in 2009
7. DH Pat Burrell- 2008 World Series Champion
8. RF Matt Joyce- 40 RBIs
9. C Dioner Navarro- 2008 All Star
The star power for the offense is there. But there are still questions at the DH, C, and RF positions. Will Burrell and Navarro produce this year? That is the major question for the offense. If they struggle in 2010 like they did in 2009 the Rays have people to replace them both. Kelly Shoppach will replace Navarro behind the plate. Willy Aybar would be the new DH is Burrell struggles. I know Burrell was a major reason why the Phillies won the rings in 2008 but i would not be surprised to see Burrell shoped around this year.
Rotation
1. James Shields- 615 strikeouts
2. Matt Garza- 2008 ALCS MVP
3. David Price- 4.17 ERA
4. Jeff Niemann- 14-7
5. Wade Davis- 36 strikeouts
All five starters can give number one preformances on any giving noght. Tampa should improve pitching wise with Kazmir and Sonnanstine gone. As i said earlier Soriano is the bullpen answer so that will fall right into place. If the Rays can find another starter i would say best rotation on paper.
Prediction: Tampa Bay has the talent and experiance to compete for a spot in October. With the young pitching staff however beating the Yankees and Red Sox seems impossiable. Let's hope i am wrong and see the Rays back in the World Series. The most likely scene for them though is a 3rd place finish in the AL East. 7 games out. 82-80 record
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