Looking back on the Rays’ loss in the ALDS

by Gary Shelton on October 13, 2021

in general

5 Thoughts

  1. The best thing the Rays did in their ALDS loss was play defense. Don't you wonder how many runs the Red Sox would have scored if they didn't?

2. Over the last two post-seasons, Brandon Lowe is three-for-42. That's a .071 average. That would be bad for the groundskeeper.









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3. For our Montreal followers, how to say "yuck" in French?

4. This just in from the Rays' broadcast crew. Yay.

5. So the way I understand it, the Red Sox were miffed because the Rays ate popcorn. Damn you, Orville Redenbacher.

5 Rays to Blame

  1. Lowe was 0-18 in the series, as many hits as a dead man, yet the Rays continued to bat him in the middle of the lineup.

2. Nelson Cruz. One of the reasons the Rays spent the prospects and money to get Cruz was his post-season prowess, but Cruz hit .176. Even in the regular season, he hit .226 for the Rays.

3. Of all the inflated ERA's, Michael Wacha's was 20.25. Drew Rasmussen was 13.5, Shane Baz was 11.57 and Shane McClanahan was 7.94.

4. As a team, the Rays hit .211.They were outhit by Boston 63-31.

5. The Red Sox had the better bullpen, the better hitters and got the best start of the series from Nathan Eovaldi. If they played another series, the Red Sox would win again.

5 Who Produced

  1. Wander Franco was supposed to be the wide-eyed rookie, but he hit .368 to lead the Rays.

2. Randy Arozarena wasn't as good as in 2020, but he still hit .333.

3. Kevin Kiermaier didn't hit for a high enough average (.221), but he had three doubles in the last two games. And he played like a beast in center field.

4. Relief pitcher J.T. Chargois appeared in all four games and didn't give up a run.

5. Relief pitcher David Robertson appeared in three games and didn't give up a run.

5 Decisions Ahead

  1. Cruz is a free agent. His swing, it seems, didn't make the move to St. Petersburg with him. He was paid more than $13 million this year. Will the Rays pay that much?

2. Kiermaier always seems to be on borrowed time. He's due $25 million for 20222 and 2023. As good as his glove is, is he too pricey?

3. After a season with 39 homers and 99 RBI, the Rays might want to see what they could get in return if they sold high on Lowe. Who knows? Some general manager might not have seen the playoffs.

4. Wouldn't it be smart to sign a savvy older pitcher to mix in with the kids, a Charlie Morton type to help with the young arms?

5. Mike Zunino was this team's MVP, but by playing in more than 100 games, his pay now increases from $4 million to $7 million for next year. Can the Rays afford that?

5 Former Rays Who Might Have Helped

  1. Charlie Morton.

2. Evan Longoria.

3. Hunter Renfroe

4. Nathan Eovaldi

5. Willy Adames

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