A lot of people in the Rays universe were freaking out yesterday after the Opening Weekend sweep by Baltimore (who, by the way, turned around and beat a pretty good Detroit team yesterday).
JASON BEHNKEN/TAMPA TRIBUNE STAFF
For example, the guys at Rays Rev have a great podcast where they seem to crystallize all the varied criticism in the Rays world by concluding that this team cannot win because it doesn’t have enough Major League players (listen to the whole thing, it is good and Cork’s interview is good stuff too). Other fans, like the paralegal in my law firm featured prominently on TBO.com (in the picture to the right) just responded with sarcastic applause.
Cooler heads must prevail. It is April 5. No World Series Championship has ever been won or lost on April 5. In fact, even if the Rays open the season 0-5 (a distinct possibility given the pitching matchups in the upcoming Anaheim series), there would be no cause for concern.
Three losses to open the season seems particularly bad but, it is no different than any other three game losing streak, and three game losing streaks are just part of baseball. As a comparison, the 2008 Rays had five 3-game losing streaks, 2 4-game losing streaks (the first 4-game slide was from April 6-April 9 and left the Rays just 3-5…hmmmm), and one 7-game losing streak on their way to the AL Pennant. The 2010 Rays also had five 3-game losing streaks and one 5-game losing streak on their way to the AL East crown. (The Sweet Spot’s Dave Schoenfeld pointed out that three playoff teams and four World Series champs started 0-3).
It is ok to be upset. No one wants to watch this team lose, particularly in the opening weekend. But let’s not lose our heads over just three games. If we do, we are no better than the Johnny-Come-Lately-Pink-Hat-Wearing members of Red Sox Nation that are heading for the life boats.
I felt like there were occasions where we didn’t get breaks. Hard hit balls right at guys, bloops dropping in for the O’s, etc. And the pitching was as good as expected (one mistake by Jake McGee notwithstanding). No worries here yet. Except for worries about Evan’s status.
I called it at the end of last season. The Orioles are a force to be reckoned with in 2011. Yes the Rays need a little tweaking here and there, but I think the past few years (at least since 08) that this team can and does make the necessary adjustments. I would be lying if I have been a little disappointed in the 0-3 start, but the Rays Management and Front Office have proven themselves to make some pretty good decisions.
Baltimore looks a lot like us. They are good but have small margin for error. Their best players are either really young (and thus prone to long slumps) or really old (and thus prone to long DL stints). For now, they are getting the breaks as we are not. The great thing about a 162-game season is that the tide will turn back and forth for both teams several times.