Random thoughts: Here in Tampa Bay, we’re hurting

May 12, 2019 general

It started when Victor Hedman was hurt in the playoffs. Then it was Jason Pierre-Paul. Now it’s Tyler Glasnow. Suddenly, Tampa Bay Sports are a MASH unit. — Not only that, but the Red Power Ranger died. — According to theBigLead.com, the Rays’ Kevin Cash is the third-best manager in baseball. That’s three slots ahead […]

Read the full article →

Diaz’ power enables Rays to hold onto first place

May 12, 2019 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. He has muscles, okay? And those muscles have muscles. And those muscles have muscles. And these days, Yandy Diaz is flexing them for the world to see. Diaz put on a show Saturday night, homering to left, homering to right and hitting two deep fly balls to center to lead the Rays […]

Read the full article →

Ask Gary: What’s the future of the Tampa Bay Rays?

May 11, 2019 general

Each week, the readers take over GarySheltonsports.com and play Ask Gary. They send in a question, or a couple, on Thursday night or Friday morning and we all talk about the world of sports. Think of it as a radio show where you don’t have to be on hold. Join us and ask a question, […]

Read the full article →

Rays lose, but concern over Glasnow is bigger

May 11, 2019 general

Saturday, 3 a.m. The division lead is in doubt. The bats have disappeared. The team cannot win a one-run game. But forget all of that for a moment. For the time being, the Rays’ immediate future is somewhere inside of Tyler Glasnow’s left arm. Glasnow left the game abruptly Friday night after 5 1/3 innings […]

Read the full article →

Rays have flashed their brain power so far

May 10, 2019 general

Friday, 4 a.m. Once again, they seem to be getting smarter. Once again, they are deep thinkers. In the good years of the Tampa Bay Rays, and there really haven’t been a lot of them, this was the ability that set them apart from richer, deeper baseball teams. Even if they didn’t outhit many teams, […]

Read the full article →

Base-running gaffe leads to Rays defeat

May 9, 2019 general

Thursday, 4 a.m. They struck out 23 times. They left 11 men on base. They struck out 10 times with runners in scoring position. They were one-for-16 with runners in scoring position. Yet, when the smoke had cleared from Tampa Bay’s 3-2, 13-inning loss to the Arizona Diamond back, there was one memory that resonated. […]

Read the full article →

Lowe’s hot streak lifts Rays to another win

May 8, 2019 Alabama

Wednesday, 4 a.m. Oh, so that’s why they gave Brandon Lowe the contract extension. Perhaps you looked at Lowe and wondered why. After all, he is just 5-10 and 185 pounds, a normal size guy in a supersized sport. Still, it took one pitch Tuesday night for the Rays to jump to a lead, and […]

Read the full article →

Is Cash playing it too safe with Blake Snell?

May 7, 2019 general

Tuesday, 4 a.m. On the grand scale of all things wonderful in baseball, which do you value more? A pitcher getting a bit of history with a no-hitter? Or a pitcher leaving the game with a low pitch count to save wear on his arm? You can argue it. You can discuss it. You can […]

Read the full article →

Is McCoy leaving, and does anyone care?

May 6, 2019 general

Monday, 4 a.m. The biggest question is not whether Gerald McCoy is staying or not. The biggest question is why so many fans seem ready to see him go. Look, the careers of most professional athletes end badly. I get that. There is a devastating injury, or a regrettable trade, or the sad images of […]

Read the full article →

Rays out of line in loss to the Orioles

May 5, 2019 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. The Tampa Bay Rays didn’t spend a lot of time running the bases Saturday. Perhaps that’s why they were so bad at it. Wayward Willy Adames, the Rays’ starting shortstop, had a chance to ignite a late-inning rally in the eighth inning, but was called out for being — far — out […]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →