Imagine being on a baseball team that has to know that every day they go out there they are in competition with two of the best teams in baseball: the Red Sox and the Yankees. While some teams will run and hide, the Rays take this challenge head on because they know that it makes them a better team. While they did finish 19 games back last season, it was more about the quality of the division than it was their play.
Tampa Bay is a team that took advantage of being underrated and managed to get into the World Series just two years ago. Much of that very team is still intact. While they saw some difficult stretches in 2009, this team can never be counted out. If they can duplicate last season and pick up a few more wins, they will be in contention for the wild card or even the division this season.
Whatever you do Rays fans, don't let the division placement get you down. This is a legitimate team that had some bad breaks last season and is hardly out of the race for the crown in 2010. The pitching rotation features a lot of talent that is headed by young superstar Jeff Niemann. There was surely no sophomore slump for this 13 game winner.
Something else to be very excited about is the fact that the ball will fall into the hands of Soriano in the ninth inning. He came up through the Seattle farm system when they were stacked with pitching talent and recently strutted his stuff with the Braves. His first season as a closer was a huge success and it is actually amazing that the Braves let him get away.
In his first campaign as the everyday closer, he converted 27 of 31 opportunities. That number puts him up with the best in the business and having been a trouble spot for Tampa Bay in the past, there is a lot of solace knowing that they have a true closer to hand the ball to now.
The offense is looking sexy this season and Longoria is heading it up. From the very first moment that he took the field he was tagged as superstar. While some young players would shy away from the role, he has embraced it and become a true leader of this franchise. This is his third season of what will surely be a very long and esteemed career in Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay fans are going to be treated to some incredible baseball in 2010. The division is stacked with talent and that means that most of the season the best teams in baseball will be coming to town. While it will be anything but an easy season, victories will be well earned and if they do get to the WS, they will be primed and will have already taken down the best teams in baseball. - 31492
Tampa Bay is a team that took advantage of being underrated and managed to get into the World Series just two years ago. Much of that very team is still intact. While they saw some difficult stretches in 2009, this team can never be counted out. If they can duplicate last season and pick up a few more wins, they will be in contention for the wild card or even the division this season.
Whatever you do Rays fans, don't let the division placement get you down. This is a legitimate team that had some bad breaks last season and is hardly out of the race for the crown in 2010. The pitching rotation features a lot of talent that is headed by young superstar Jeff Niemann. There was surely no sophomore slump for this 13 game winner.
Something else to be very excited about is the fact that the ball will fall into the hands of Soriano in the ninth inning. He came up through the Seattle farm system when they were stacked with pitching talent and recently strutted his stuff with the Braves. His first season as a closer was a huge success and it is actually amazing that the Braves let him get away.
In his first campaign as the everyday closer, he converted 27 of 31 opportunities. That number puts him up with the best in the business and having been a trouble spot for Tampa Bay in the past, there is a lot of solace knowing that they have a true closer to hand the ball to now.
The offense is looking sexy this season and Longoria is heading it up. From the very first moment that he took the field he was tagged as superstar. While some young players would shy away from the role, he has embraced it and become a true leader of this franchise. This is his third season of what will surely be a very long and esteemed career in Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay fans are going to be treated to some incredible baseball in 2010. The division is stacked with talent and that means that most of the season the best teams in baseball will be coming to town. While it will be anything but an easy season, victories will be well earned and if they do get to the WS, they will be primed and will have already taken down the best teams in baseball. - 31492
About the Author:
By Jake Kohler, sponsored by TicketSeating.com. TicketSeating.com sells Tampa Bay Rays Tickets, MLB Tickets, Sports Tickets and more to just about any events in your area.
