Sunday, September 6, 2009

What will be the snapshot of 2009?


The above photo was the snapshot of 2008: celebrations.

Celebrations at home plate after walk-off wins. Celebrations on the mound after clinching something - a playoff berth, the ALDS, the American League pennant.

What will be the snapshot of 2008?
How about Joe Maddon changing pitchers?
Or B.J. Upton looking at another called strike three?
Or Pat Burrell swinging and missing?
Or another soft pop up from Dioner Navarro?
Or ... you get the picture.

The Rays are cooked.

They are hitting now. Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria are back, and Jason Bartlett and Carl Crawford haven't cooled off.

The starting pitching is still far from a sure thing.

But what has ultimately decided the Rays fate is the bullpen.

There is not one arm out there that you can trust now that J.P Howell can't get anyone out.
Too many innings over the last two seasons has caught up to Howell and Grant Balfour, too.
Not having a closer has caught up to the Rays, as well.

Most of this doesn't really matter, thought. The Red Sox are not going to give up the lead in the Wild Card.

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