Franco’s streak suggests he’ll be a star

September 30, 2021 general

Thursday, 4 a.m. By reputation, he could be a hard man, a fierce competitor. But even Frank Robinson would love Wander Franco. He’d love the energy. He’d love the charisma. They’d love the little smile of his after Franco reaches base…again. Most of all, he’d love the kid’s talent. And so you get the idea […]

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Rays can’t close it down against Houston

September 29, 2021 general

Tuesday, 4 a.m. As they enter their post-season, perhaps the worry for the Tampa Bay Rays isn’t starting pitching, after all. Perhaps it’s finishing. The Rays, who seem to value a designated closer less than most teams, let a game get away in a 4-3 loss to Houston Monday night. The Rays still need to […]

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Looking back at Bucs’ loss to Los Angeles

September 28, 2021 general

5 Thoughts If Shaq Barrett is so invisible these days, why is he so easy to block? 2. Do you think Rod “Toast” Jones looks at this secondary and figures “yeah, I’d fit in just fine.” Of course, Lars Tate, Charles McRae and Eric Curry are thinking the same thing. 3. If the Bucs are […]

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Rays have decisions to make for playoffs

September 27, 2021 general

Monday, 3 a.m. First come the victories. After that, come the decisions. The Tampa Bay Rays’ matched a franchise record Sunday with their 97th victory of the year (with six games to go). They’ve wrapped up a playoff spot and the AL East championship. But for a team that used 61 players on its roster […]

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Rays clinch division title against Miami

September 26, 2021 general

. Sunday, 4 a.m. It took 155 games, winding through ups and downs, the injuries and the call-ups.. It took more than five dozen (61) players. It took more than three dozen (38) pitchers. It took 46 comebacks. After it all, however, the Tampa Bay Rays are American League champions. The Rays clinched the title […]

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Slow start dooms USF against BYU

September 26, 2021 general

Sunday, 3 a.m. When a coach has won two games in his career, it’s hard to make a list of his most impressive moments. But at least after this one, perhaps USF coach Jeff Scott has a chance, after all. After a slow start, the Bulls played well in a 35-27 loss to BYU Saturday […]

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Rays keep pushing with easy win over Miami

September 25, 2021 general

Saturday, 4 am. This is how you follow up on success. You keep it going. The game before, the Tampa Bay Rays had made the playoffs, their third straight season. They had survived, and now they had a weak Miami team coming to town. And, no, they did not take a breath. Instead, the Rays […]

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Predictions: Could the Rams beat Tampa Bay?

September 25, 2021 general

Saturday, 3 a.m. It wouldn’t be an upset. It wouldn’t be a catastrophe. It wouldn’t mean that hunks of sky are going to fall. The Tampa Bay Bucs could lose Sunday, and it could just be a miss-step on their journey. Nothing more. People tend to forget about that. Fans care so much that with […]

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At 2-0, Bucs still seek improvement

September 24, 2021 general

Friday, 4 a.m. Another challenge awaits the Tampa Bay Bucs this week. An old one, too. Expectations. And the Los Angeles Rams. For the Bucs, both opponents are daunting. The Rams have Matt Stafford and Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald. The expectations have critics and cynics and early impressions. Whether the Bucs can measure up […]

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Rays clinch post-season for the seventh time

September 23, 2021 general

Thursday, 4 a.m. Now, this is how a team looks fearsome as it enters the post-season. After two weeks of spinning their wheels, the Tampa Bay Rays wrapped up another playoff appearance Wednesday afternoon, clubbing the Toronto Blue Jays 7-1. It locked up the team’s seventh post-season trip, all since 2008, and their third in […]

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