Rays- Best Record in Baseball.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Good morning.

Who would have thunk it. After our opening series they have gone 30-13, living in the AL East.

What did that series really hide from us? Two top teams in baseball, and we won series.

LAD- .5 behind Padres. We went 2-1.
Padres- .5 lead in West. We went 2-2 there, after leading 2-0, and could have won another.
Cleveland- first place by a game.
Oakland- 2-1. At there place. Lost only 2-0.

Now Pitt Reds Brewers and Cubs x 12 games. This will also get us to the CT magical 60 game measure.

Any thoughts.

[alw80]

But they're 28th in payroll?

[sikeston bulldog2]

But they're 28th in payroll?

Nice catch. So what is the deal here. It’s not money. Is it such a fine line in performance that one kid making league minimum out plays the stud makes 20 M. X 9 players.
Then the trick- tightness. Chemistry. We have maxed that out.

[BrockFloodMaris]

But they're 28th in payroll?

Nice catch. So what is the deal here. It’s not money. Is it such a fine line in performance that one kid making league minimum out plays the stud makes 20 M. X 9 players.
Then the trick- tightness. Chemistry. We have maxed that out.

I love the payroll observation too! We could debate that topic all day. I, for one, think that the overall MLB talent pool is pretty shallow right now. Not sure how to research it for comparison. I just think its getting harder to buy success. There aren't that many Aaron Judge / Shohei Ohtani type players out there. I also agree that this is a team game, not a parade of individuals. The Rays have clearly got good team chemistry, as do the Cards. Go Cards!

[sikeston bulldog2]

But they're 28th in payroll?

Nice catch. So what is the deal here. It’s not money. Is it such a fine line in performance that one kid making league minimum out plays the stud makes 20 M. X 9 players.
Then the trick- tightness. Chemistry. We have maxed that out.

I love the payroll observation too! We could debate that topic all day. I, for one, think that the overall MLB talent pool is pretty shallow right now. Not sure how to research it for comparison. I just think its getting harder to buy success. There aren't that many Aaron Judge / Shohei Ohtani type players out there. I also agree that this is a team game, not a parade of individuals. The Rays have clearly got good team chemistry, as do the Cards. Go Cards!

Great point- team game. And the teams with big individuals aren’t running away with divisions. The small ball teams are holding their own - STL Oak Cleve TB.

[Alex Reyes Cy Young]

I love how they’ll be in the playoffs (heading there) and they will flip a player for the future then a week later trade from surplus and get a hitter or relief pitcher to fortify their chances in the playoffs

The are truly managing both time dimensions in the present. It’s incredible.

[Jatalk]

Good morning.

Who would have thunk it. After our opening series they have gone 30-13, living in the AL East.

What did that series really hide from us? Two top teams in baseball, and we won series.

LAD- .5 behind Padres. We went 2-1.
Padres- .5 lead in West. We went 2-2 there, after leading 2-0, and could have won another.
Cleveland- first place by a game.
Oakland- 2-1. At there place. Lost only 2-0.

Now Pitt Reds Brewers and Cubs x 12 games. This will also get us to the CT magical 60 game measure.

Any thoughts.

All I know is I drove 10 hours to watch baseball and it’s raining. If it weren’t for bad luck I’d have no luck at all.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Good morning.

Who would have thunk it. After our opening series they have gone 30-13, living in the AL East.

What did that series really hide from us? Two top teams in baseball, and we won series.

LAD- .5 behind Padres. We went 2-1.
Padres- .5 lead in West. We went 2-2 there, after leading 2-0, and could have won another.
Cleveland- first place by a game.
Oakland- 2-1. At there place. Lost only 2-0.

Now Pitt Reds Brewers and Cubs x 12 games. This will also get us to the CT magical 60 game measure.

Any thoughts.

All I know is I drove 10 hours to watch baseball and it’s raining. If it weren’t for bad luck I’d have no luck at all.

Yea. It’s so early yet… But it don’t look good. In fact I bet they call it early.

[12xu]

It won't last. Like the small bears, they are almost invincible at home (17-5), but not so good on the road. Their home park is crummy and very different, visiting teams hate to play there. It is akin to the freaking Metrodome in Minnesota back in the 80's/90's. It is also apparent that, so far, the AL is rather mediocre this season. The Rays, Yankees, Guardians, and White Sox!! are the only AL teams with winning records. It is interesting to note that the Rays are 5-10 vs NL Central teams - losing all their series vs those teams.

Nonetheless, the Rays' management is clever, and they do a remarkable job with their limited payroll. Cash is a very good manager, and uses his roster effectively. It is simply amazing how they are usually in contention each year regardless of their lack of highly paid stars.

[RamFan08NY]

But they're 28th in payroll?

Nice catch. So what is the deal here. It’s not money. Is it such a fine line in performance that one kid making league minimum out plays the stud makes 20 M. X 9 players.
Then the trick- tightness. Chemistry. We have maxed that out.

I love the payroll observation too! We could debate that topic all day. I, for one, think that the overall MLB talent pool is pretty shallow right now. Not sure how to research it for comparison. I just think its getting harder to buy success. There aren't that many Aaron Judge / Shohei Ohtani type players out there. I also agree that this is a team game, not a parade of individuals. The Rays have clearly got good team chemistry, as do the Cards. Go Cards!

Personally, I dont think the extreme salary problem is about "buying success". To me its more about the small market teams being unable to "retain" that team chemistry that they've created.
The extreme salaries dont necessarily guarantee success to the deep pocket spenders, but it almost certainly guarantees that the small market teams will not be able to sustain that success if their players are poached.

[icon]

It won't last. Like the small bears, they are almost invincible at home (17-5), but not so good on the road. Their home park is crummy and very different, visiting teams hate to play there. It is akin to the freaking Metrodome in Minnesota back in the 80's/90's. It is also apparent that, so far, the AL is rather mediocre this season. The Rays, Yankees, Guardians, and White Sox!! are the only AL teams with winning records. It is interesting to note that the Rays are 5-10 vs NL Central teams - losing all their series vs those teams.

Nonetheless, the Rays' management is clever, and they do a remarkable job with their limited payroll. Cash is a very good manager, and uses his roster effectively. It is simply amazing how they are usually in contention each year regardless of their lack of highly paid stars.

Yeah, the American League sucks.

[BrockFloodMaris]

But they're 28th in payroll?

Nice catch. So what is the deal here. It’s not money. Is it such a fine line in performance mo that one kid making league minimum out plays the stud makes 20 M. X 9 players.
Then the trick- tightness. Chemistry. We have maxed that out.

I love the payroll observation too! We could debate that topic all day. I, for one, think that the overall MLB talent pool is pretty shallow right now. Not sure how to research it for comparison. I just think its getting harder to buy success. There aren't that many Aaron Judge / Shohei Ohtani type players out there. I also agree that this is a team game, not a parade of individuals. The Rays have clearly got good team chemistry, as do the Cards. Go Cards!

Personally, I dont think the extreme salary problem is about "buying success". To me its more about the small market teams being unable to "retain" that team chemistry that they've created.
The extreme salaries dont necessarily guarantee success to the deep pocket spenders, but it almost certainly guarantees that the small market teams will not be able to sustain that success if their players are poached.

History says that you are correct. Ideally, Bloom will make some strategic signings of our own players to buffer that talent loss. Those signings coupled with a robust farm system (plus luck and good health) should create sustained success.

[scoutyjones2]

What has Tampa actually won? It's like Billy Beane...what did that ever win?

[Uncle John]

"Tarps Off" in Tampa. Copy cats!

[Futuregm2]

It won't last. Like the small bears, they are almost invincible at home (17-5), but not so good on the road. Their home park is crummy and very different, visiting teams hate to play there. It is akin to the freaking Metrodome in Minnesota back in the 80's/90's. It is also apparent that, so far, the AL is rather mediocre this season. The Rays, Yankees, Guardians, and White Sox!! are the only AL teams with winning records. It is interesting to note that the Rays are 5-10 vs NL Central teams - losing all their series vs those teams.

Nonetheless, the Rays' management is clever, and they do a remarkable job with their limited payroll. Cash is a very good manager, and uses his roster effectively. It is simply amazing how they are usually in contention each year regardless of their lack of highly paid stars.

Helps when you are 11-2 vs your division. They are 3-0 vs the Yankees and 3-0 vs Toronto. 4-2 vs Boston and won last night vs the Orioles. Their SP and bullpen have both been terrific. And they have 3 hitters that have a 130+ OPS+. They are tied for 2nd in steals in baseball, 1st in the AL. Will that last? We’ll see.

[dugoutrex]

What has Tampa actually won? It's like Billy Beane...what did that ever win?

true - I hope our future is nothing like the Tampa model