Live from New York ...

Typically it's hard to know the Rays are even in town when they play the Yankees. But not this time, as all the major papers have stories heralding the Rays arrival, some pointing out how well they've played and others questioning if they can keep it up. There's almost as much about them in the papers as Alex Rodriguez's divorce. Almost.

And the Rays are even getting a bit of attention in Boston today, as one the more popular fan web sites - bostondirtdogs.com - is encouraging Sox fans to vote for Evan Longoria in the competition for the final spot on the All-Star roster as a way of voting against Yankees 1B/DH Jason Giambi.

As for the game, Carl Crawford will be back in leftfield and B.J. Upton back in the lineup, and the Rays are trying to be as right-handed  as possible against Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte.

The lineups:
RAYS
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Longoria, 3b
Navarro, c
Aybar, dh
Gomes, rf
Zobrist, ss
Kazmir, p

YANKEES
Cabrera, cf
Jeter. ss
Abreu, rf
Rodriguez, 3b
Posada, DH
Betemit, 1b
Cano, 2b
Molina, c
Gardner, lf
Pettitte, p

Back to the Big Apple ....

The New York Daily News refers to the Rays as the beasts of the AL East, though columnist Mike Lupica says the AL East race is far from over. And they reference the spring training fracas. All in one day's paper.

Then there's the New York Post, which also raves about the Rays in two pieces, one they sent a writer to St. Petersburg for.

And even the New York Times has two stories about the Rays, including one with a quote from principal owner Stuart Sternberg saying their roster is "at the point where teams would trade theirs for ours, regardless of payroll.” And another on how the Yankees see a future in what the Rays have done.

Comments

[Bill]

And tell Maddon to drop Pena in the order while you are at it!!!!!!!

[Jeff]

And then the lead was 3. Rays Management, please help this team!

[Edgar]

Jonny Gomes is useless. Just DFA Jonny Gomes or just put him on waivers. Ruggiano should be in this roster for the remaining of season and start him until they find a veteran RF in the trading deadline. Get a reliever that will not cost a top prospect. I love to see my Rays succeed. They will not succeed with clowns like Gomes on their roster. They need Bartlett back b/c Reid Brignac is not ready and got his feet wet & Zobrist is not the answer. 3 HR's WHOOPIE!!!

[dick]

I agree with "rolaids" re Gomes. He is an absolute liability to this team, both offesively and defensively. This team MUST address its vulnerability against a good lefty as they need more consistent right handed strength than Longoria and Gomes is NOT the answer. Send him down someplace and make a trade with Pittsburg for either Nady or Bay.

[Jeff]

Even with an average Kazmir performance, this game should be 0-0 if it wasn't for Gomes' poor outfield play. So frustrating. Rays, Bay or Nady please. Pit is willing to deal them for minor league pitching. THIS TEAM IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS WITHOUT MAKING MOVES. THE WHEELS WILL FALL OFF THIS BUS.

[Jeff]

Harden goes to the Cubs for nothing. Why didn't the Rays attempt to make a move for him? The Rays are hurting for right-handed power. The Rays have done nothing. Gomes is terrible. He's a AA ballplayer at best. C'mon Rays!

[Nathan]

Nice job getting Milky. But did anyone else catch Riggans refer to the bat that Milky lost as htting someone 'right in the effing eye'? Classic! Made me guffaw!!

[BJ Uptown]

Gotta love when Pena strikes out on four balls with a runner on second and two outs... Swing at the strikes Carlos!!! You just struck out on a four pitch walk.

[Andy]

If they don't start Gomes against a pitcher he has hit to the tune of .421 (and would have hit 2 homers off of in a game earlier this year if replay were used), then they should have just released him yesterday...Good thing you don't manage the Rays.

[Rolaids]

Just because the other team starts a left-handed pitcher doesn't mean Jonny Gomes has to start. He is batting .191.

[Rockin with Kid K]

Rockin with Kid K!!!!!!

[Mo]

KEEP UP THE VOTES FOR LONGORIA!!

[Brian]

A message to Gary Shelton, I know that the Olympic trials are happening, but there is also something wonderful in St. Pete happening. If you jump in late, you really are going to look like an ambulance chaser.

[James]

The Rays need to make a splash in the early innings of tonights game... say 10 runs anybody?

Send 'em home early fellas! Go Rays!

[jeff]

ROCKN' WITH KAZMIR

Longoria's stats are wrong on the voting page. It says he's batting 250 with 3 Hr's.

It's fixed.