I still think this is the best team in baseball.
They have better hitting than the Dodgers, and I would argue their starters may be better too.
They have a better pen than the Phillies, but then, who doesn't?
They have a better defense than the Yanks, which happens when your average age is 44.
They have a better offense than the Red Sox, because they dont just pull balls off the monster.
They have a better offense, pitching, and defense than the Angels. I hate the Angels.
The Rays will still make the playoffs, I am probably in the minority here because everyone seems to think the Red Sox and Yanks will be the two Eastern teams who make it, but I feel the Rays have a better lineup top to bottom than either. In fact, no team in the history of baseball has ever reached 100 steals and 100 homers as quickly as Tampa did this week. In less than half the season, the Rays have done it. Super-utility man Ben Zobrist can play any position and has emerged as a legit 25+ homer threat in the place of 2b Aki Iwamura, who may be out for the year with a torn ACL.
Evan Longoria is probably the best defensive 3b in the majors, and arguably the best offensive one as well, pending A-Rod's recovery.
Jason Bartlett has become the best defensive SS in the league, and suprisingly, a top tiered offensive threat as well.
Bartlett, LF Carl Crawford, and CF BJ Upton will each steal 30 bases, the latter two should top 40+. First baseman Carlos Pena should slug 40 homers, and even though his average will linger around .250 all year, his defense and power, along with the 90+ walks he will net, make him a more than capable cleanup hitter.
The bullpen is coming around after an awful April and with the addition by subtraction of Troy Percival, the pen has become top 5 in the majors.
I think the Rays make the playoffs, and the world series as well.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
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