Alright. With this much having been elapsed, and with this much still working, I can admit that the Rays are, in fact, a good team. They're good enough that they're honestly commanding the AL East as the Yankees have slowed down. I'm just mad that they're doing it in the cheapest way possible.
It is undeniable that the Rays have built a new young core, and are moving far ahead with it. Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero are the powering force behind this team, both are ready and both are really fantastic. Caminero has 20 homers and 51 RBIs, and might be headed to the All-Star Game. Aranda's hitting .329 with 8 homers and 41 RBIs. And for them to be able to do this while Brandon Lowe, Yandy Diaz and Josh Lowe are all A.) still on this team and B.) still capable of producing consistently is just a testament to why the Rays shouldn't rush to trade people instead of paying them. A core has appeared, and even if there is gonna be an uncomfortable conversation in regards to what happens after this season, it's getting them deep into the race for the division.
[It occurs to me now, by the way, how much the Rays resembles a college team, because of how inevitable the departures feel, and how it all seems to go in like 4 year cycles more often than anything.]
And somehow, after years of scrounging and forcing openers, the Rays have a solid rotation of five guys who've stayed healthy and made all their starts. Ryan Pepiot has blossomed into a really strong pitcher, he's got a 3.04 ERA and 91 Ks. Shane Baz is 8-3 with 86 Ks and a 4.37 ERA. Drew Rasmussen is 7-5 with a 2.45 ERA. Regardless of the fact that Shane McClanahan still isn't here, and that Taj Bradley can occasionally get chased, this is a very solid pack of starters. And their failsafe guy, Joe Boyle seems to have figured his shit out as well.
That doesn't mean the Rays don't have flaws, as...they still have too many either no-name 29-year-old rookies or name 29-year-olds hitting .220, but what works is enough to power them to 2nd, and enough to make them a serious rival for 1st. This weekend the Yankees are playing the A's, who are beatable but infuriatingly sneaky, and the Rays are playing the Orioles, who have been better but still have no pitching. I'd prefer the Yankees to stay on top, but it's wild that we're in a moment where the Rays could top them.
Coming Tonight: It's looking like the people that were supposed to do their jobs in Miami aren't really doing so, so now he's gotta step up.
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