The Rays are 16-19 right now as they head to Toronto to take on the Blue Jays. So far the Rays have underachieved and been extremely disappointing. (Understatement of the year). The starting pitching has been solid. The team has posted a 3.64 ERA overall 9th in MLB. However that stat is misleading as the bullpen has cost the Rays at least 3 games in the past week.
Dana Eveland, Ryan Webb and Steven Geltz have been awful. When put in tough spots they have not met the challenge. Brad Boxberger should be back within the next couple of weeks as he is in Port Charlotte working his way back. Eveland is probably the one to go when Boxberger gets back. He will then assume his closer role while Alex Colome goes to the set-up spot.
Erasmo Ramirez and Alex Colome have been outstanding. Xavier Cedeno has been OK. Steven Geltz disappointing.
I’m not totally writing off Geltz, but Erasmo Ramirez and Colome make a nice set-up duo. So Kevin Cash has his hands full trying to get this group back on track.
Now the offense. The Rays are 1-5 since Logan Forsythe went out with the fracture. Forsythe and Guyer were the only ones really consistently hitting. The offense which was supposed to be much improved is hitting .223. That is last in MLB. Atlanta is 29th in hitting at .229. And they are 9-27. Thank god for the pitching, or this Rays team would be in a really bad spot.
Brandon Guyer has been on fire since he took over the lead off spot for Forsythe. I don’t know if he can continue that torrid pace. The Rays hit a lot of home runs, its just that nobody is on base when they do. This may be the first team to hit 200 home runs and finish below .500.
When Forsythe went down the Rays called up Taylor Motter a .190 hitter at Durham. He should fit right in with this team offensively. There are 6 guys that have a lower average than Motter. I understand his versatility and that is the reason he was re-called. How about giving Richie Shaffer or Mikie Mahtook a shot.
Hopefully the Rays get this figured out and Quickly. The season is starting to slip away.
