The case for — and against — Snell as an all-star

July 9, 2018 general

Monday, 3 a.m. First, you light the torches. Later, you can gather the pitchforks. Yeah, it’s time to storm the castle all right. Blake Snell has been left off of the American League all-star team, and there is rage to be expressed. Grrr. And all that. But if you look a little more closely, the […]

Read the full article →

Random Thoughts: Pushing for Leaf over Manning

July 8, 2018 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. Instead of a gonzo journalist, perhaps Hunter S. Thompson should have been known as a bozo journalist. It came to light this week that Thompson endorsed Ryan Leaf over Peyton Manning in 1998 draft, largely because Leaf “looked strong” and the Colts lacked a good offensive line. Thompson asked “What do you […]

Read the full article →

Snell shines again in his 12th win for Rays

July 8, 2018 general

Sunday, 3 a.m. Is this what an All-Star looks like? Perhaps. More and more, Blake Snell looks the part. The lanky left-hander left the game (after 7 1/3 innings) with a shutout intact for the fifth time this season. He is now 12-4 on the season after Saturday’s 3-0 victory over the New York Mets. […]

Read the full article →

Ask Gary: Who should the Rays keep, trade?

July 7, 2018 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 →

Bautista turns back the clock in slamming Rays

July 7, 2018 general

Saturday, 3 a.m. In twilight, you might think there isn’t much to fear from Jose Bautista anymore. He is 37 now, and his skill set is dwindling. Too many nights, he looks like an aged version of himself as he finishes out the string. Then comes a night such as Friday night. And once again, […]

Read the full article →

Is Winston the problem child for Tampa Bay?

July 6, 2018 general

Thursday, 4 a.m. Buffalo had O.J. Simpson. New England had Aaron Hernandez. St. Louis had Lawrence Phillips. Bad guys can happen anywhere to any team in any town. A team screens players, and it talks to them, and it talks to their teammates. And still, trouble gets past the gate. Content beyond this point is […]

Read the full article →

Lethargic Rays shut out by Marlins

July 5, 2018 general

Thursday, 4 a.m. Say this for  Carlos  Gomez.  The guy gets the most from his swings. He was strong. He was aggressive. He attacked like a man intent on doing some damage. If only the Miami Marlins were throwing water coolers over the plate, the Rays would have been fine. Except for Gomez’ second-inning assault […]

Read the full article →

Rays win strange game in 16 innings

July 4, 2018 general

Wednesday, 4 a.m. Aliens did not land on the infield. Chunks of the sky did not fall to earth. Baseballs did not complain about being hit by bats. Pretty much, everything else strange happened in Tuesday night’s game between the Rays and the Miami Marlins. The Rays outlasted Miami, 9-6, in a 16-inning game that […]

Read the full article →

Rays lose to Miami in another one-run game

July 3, 2018 general

Tuesday, 4 a.m. Perhaps you thought, that with a great homestand behind them, the Tampa Bay Rays were cured. They are not. The Rays dropped a 3-2 game to the Miami Marlins in 10 innings Monday night, slipping back to .500 and seeing their record against National League teams fall to 2-8 on the season. […]

Read the full article →

Winners at last! Rays finish hot home stand

July 1, 2018 general

Monday, 4 a.m. From way up here, you can see hope. The air is clearer here, and the clouds are closer. The blueprint makes sense. Blake Snell looks like an all-star. From up here, at 42-41, the Rays can imagine possibilities. Continuing streaks and getting into the playoff chase. Reinventing the wheel when it comes […]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →