June 29, 2007
Frustrating Rays
Rays Index notes how the Devil Rays are a frustrating team to watch:
But as good as the Rays have looked this season, would you be surprised that after 76 games the Rays have the exact same record in 2007 that they had last year? They do.
We can see the greatness coming. But it is not here yet. And that folks is frustrating as hell.
They're good players are very good, but their bad players are very bad. The Rays need to get their bad players to mediocre so they have a chance of not undermining the strengths of the team.
The Rays have bumped their back-end starting pitching from downright awful to mediocre with the slight improvement by Edwin Jackson and the inclusion of Sonnanstine and Howell. The funny thing is that everyone thought the Rays outfield was going to carry the team. The outfield hasn't been very good. Crawford, Young, Baldelli, and Dukes have not producted at the expected levels. However, all the question mark infielders have put up all-star numbers. The Rays rank 1st in OPS at first base, 1st at second base, fifth at third base, and sixth at SS (weighted down by Ben Zobrist).
IMO, Brendan Harris is having a very underrated seasons. He is 3rd amound AL SS in OBP, 2nd in SLG, and 3rd in OPS. He has hit well every month and is actually hitting better in June than April or May. He should be the D-Rays all-star rep.