For starters, Rays vs Rangers

Update 6:42 p.m. Manager Joe Maddon turned his final AL All-Star roster over, including his picks, around 4:30 this afternoon, saying it was a tough process like he expected, but he was comfortable with the results.

And as he said, he was "satisfied" with the Rays representation on it. The All-Star rosters will be announced Sunday between 1 and 2 eastern time.

"It's really good to get the choices all done," Maddon said. "It's one of those processes that is not easy, and you know at the end, you're not going to please everybody by any stretch of the imagination...But you have to make that call and I think with all the information that we've goten and the conversations I've had, I feel comfortable with the names that were represented."

*The Rays decided to forego batting practice on the field today - and likely will do the same tommorrow - and instead hit in the cage. For one, it gave them a reprieve from the 100-degree heat, and for another, Maddon and some players say they believe they get more done hitting in the cage. The Rays have skipped outdoor BP for the cage several times this year and last.

And with the Rays leading the majors in runs, Maddon said "it's hard to argue with the results."

****

The Rays will try to get their offense going tonight against the Rangers, having scored just one run combined in the past two games.

LHP David Price will start tonight, having been encouraged from his last start Sunday.

RF Gabe Kapler will start against Rangers lefty Derek Holland.

RAYS
Upton, cf

Crawford, lf

Longoria, 3b

Pena, 1b

Zobrist, 2b

Burrell, dh

Bartlett, ss

Kapler, rf

Navarro, c

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[mockdraught]

Watch every one of his teammates roll their eyes every time Burrell comes up to the plate. His repeated swing at the same imaginary pitch is infectious. Now Longoria is doing it. And Pena. Borrell is making more than just about everybody and is a cancer on the roster. He's ruining the lineup. Put Aybar in there, or Dillon. Here's an idea, Andrew: Call the Reds and ask them if they'd take Burrell for Jonny Gomes straight up. Then cover your ears for the laffing. Then call the Red Sox and ask them for Baldelli. Then cover your ears for the laffing. Then call Durham. Then cover your ears.

[joemaddonsucks.com]

If you actually went to games Razzle, you wouldn't have the opinions you have. There are far and few between of those who actually go and can agree with the strategies used day in and day out, it is simple common sense. Doesn't take anybody wanting to be the manager, just a common sense brain from any regular baseball fan.

[tbird]

Where is this great offense, you know, the one that leads MLB in run scoring. Perhaps those that want to continue to ride that pony realize it means little or nothing in the win/loss column. If you pile it on and score 8,9,10,11,12 runs a game, your team stats look great and show you score runs. Wow, 50 runs in 5 games. The last few games we score 1,1 and 4 today and lose all of them. With the starting pitching as shaky as it is this year, we have to score 5-8 runs on a consistent basis to win. If anyone (other than Burrell) needs to sit, it is Carlos. He has been coming up with guys on base and we all KNOW, we just KNOW he is gonna strike out, place his gear on home plate and take the field. Sit him down, play Aybar at first and get some consistency in the line-up..Crawford, Bartlett and Z can't carry this team by themselves. Longo is hurting, his timing is way off, he can't run and we still have 1/2 season left. He needs to heal for us to be successful..Price is another story--could be a Kazmir head case in the making--still think he has more than enough ability and talent to win big time in the majors but we shall see how this one turns out.

[Razzlegator]

Didn't even mention you JMS.COM.; but yes, if JM called up Price, than I did criticize him. But what I really did was call out all of you wanna be skips. As far as going to games, I go to plenty ,and stay until the end, win or lose. Not that I have to explain anything to you. Those are the facts. Just look them up.

[galloway84]

Typical Maddon. When this team has a winning streak going, he starts to tinker the lineup and the rotation for no reason what so ever. If you want to get Garza 2 starts before the All Star Break, genius with the glasses should had put David Price in the bullpen and have Niemann in that rotation. ENOUGH OF THE RIGHTY/RIGHTY LEFTY/LEFTY MATCHUP!!! He puts in the wrong guys to bench. Burrell needs a starts a break I MEAN A BREAK. Fat Burrell is killing this team along with Dioner Navarro swings like a pitcher. Why isn't Willy Aybar playing (DH/3B)? Longoria needs to be DL, he doesn't seem right at all. Of course, Maddon doesn't have the heart to bench him/DL? He let's his players decide to see if they can play? Manager that has no control on that team or will power to DL him. Better start making adjustments quickly during games while New York/Boston are winning; no time to be goofing around.

[raymond]

David Price STINKS!!!!!!

[joemaddonsucks.com]

Wow Razzlegator, are you saying that Maddon is wrong for keeping him on the roster, and for trying to use him more than Niemann? Either way guess you basically just criticized Maddon. Maybe you ought to stop throwing stones, when you live in a glass house. Keeping Price is the right move, 2 bad games is less bad games than every other starter on the team. Try attending some games and actually watching the Rays games through 9 innings before making comments. Your'e the guy that leaves the stadium when its 2-1 in the 8th inning and then reads up on it the next day.

[Razzlegator]

Perhaps all of the managerial geniuses out there would like to weigh in on what a brilliant move it was to bring Price up before he was ready. If I remember correctly, he was supposed to be the be all end all. 1.1 innings; very impressive. Those are the facts.

[joemaddonsucks.com]

Agree, Navarro not only can't hit, but he simply can't block balls in the dirt, and makes too many pitches that should be caught turn into wild pitches. That said, there really isn't any catchers growing on trees out there. It'd be nice to maybe get Suzuki from the A's somehow, if they could get him for some minor league pitching, but even the A's aren't going to give him away for anything less than a robbery. Can't see parting with top of the line pitching for a catcher, but time will tell. Rays hitting really is bad the past few games, they won some of them with good pitching, but the past 3 games are showing their weakness in the lineup.

[raymond]

let's go Rays!!

[TBRAYS_3]

We seriously need to think about things after the All-Star Break. This team has competed and stayed in close contention of the wild card race. In order for this team to reach the playoffs we must acquire a catcher. Nothing against Navarro because of the year he had last year, but this year has been anything but good. He did lead a team to the playoffs last year and batted .300 but that was also a year that 'most' Rays had a career year. Navarro has played in 78% percent of the Rays games and is batting .211. Here is a comparison, Upton started the year on an aweful note and is starting to come around. Also Upton's potential is much greater than Navarro's so you can sacrafice not playing Navarro, benching Upton through a slump is just unrealistic with his upside. Navarro has played well in his last nine games but is defense has been poor all year and he also boasts an aweful 5-1 strikeout to walk ratio. I am a big fan of Navarro and this team, but it seems that the only year Maddon's 9>8 prediction comes true is if they pick up a catcher before the trade deadline. That is the weakest spot on the team and may prevent a great team from missing the postseason. Let's not stay quiet again at the deadline.

Go Rays.
'09 will be greater than '08

[TBRAYS_3]

We seriously need to think about things after the All-Star Break. This team has competed and stayed in close contention of the wild card race. In order for this team to reach the playoffs we must acquire a catcher. Nothing against Navarro because of the year he had last year, but this year has been anything but good. He did lead a team to the playoffs last year and batted .300 but that was also a year that 'most' Rays had a career year. Navarro has played in 78% percent of the Rays games and is batting .211. Here is a comparison, Upton started the year on an aweful note and is starting to come around. Also Upton's potential is much greater than Navarro's so you can sacrafice not playing Navarro, benching Upton through a slump is just unrealistic with his upside. Navarro has played well in his last nine games but is defense has been poor all year and he also boasts an aweful 5-1 strikeout to walk ratio. I am a big fan of Navarro and this team, but it seems that the only year Maddon's 9>8 prediction comes true is if they pick up a catcher before the trade deadline. That is the weakest spot on the team and may prevent a great team from missing the postseason. Let's not stay quiet again at the deadline.

Go Rays.
'09 will be greater than '08