Series Preview: Blue Jays Coast Through Tampa Bay

Oct 1, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher J.P. Arencibia (40) is congratulated by relief pitcher Alex Colome (37) and teammates as they beat the Miami Marlins at Tropicana Field.Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Miami Marlins 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Across the Diamond: Tampa Bay Rays

Oh, how the not-so-mighty-but-run-so-well Rays have fallen…fallen into a three way tie for 3rd in the division heading into the final 3 games of the season. You gave it your all….your numbers were enough to keep your team above average in most categories. Why, then, did you finish so lousy? With that pitching and some pretty decent hitting you should be nipping at the heels of the Blue Jays. Now, the Rays are playing for spots next year or even to play spoiler this year.

Tampa will continue to improve if the team keeps producing such amazing homegrown talent, especially on the pitching side. The loss of Joe Maddon seems to have made one heck of a difference, but surprise hire Kevin Cash has done a pretty decent job in his first year as manager. For Jays fans, you may remember he had a few cups of coffee as a Blue Jays catcher. Watch for the Rays to make great strides next year and become relevant again…now if they could just get a decent stadium…and some fans to appreciate how consistently decent they have been.

Next: Game 1 Matchups: Go Buehrle!