SB Nation Tampa Bay - Rays Schedule: Five Games Lefthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2010-09-27T10:37:48-04:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/14179842010-09-27T10:37:48-04:002010-09-27T10:37:48-04:00Rays Schedule: Final Seven Games
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<p>So, we <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/9/13/1685718/rays-next-ten-games-are-huge">hoped the Rays would win five of seven</a> from the Yankees, but they only <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/9/13/1685833/yankees-at-rays-biggest-series-of">took two at home</a> and <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/9/20/1700294/rays-at-yankees-this-is-the-big-one">two on the road</a>.</p>
<p>Likewise, we expected the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> to take four or five between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a> series. They <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/9/16/1693681/angels-vs-rays-3-game-series">only won one in LA</a> and <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2010/9/24/1708519/mariners-vs-rays-three-game-series-at-tropicana-field-begins-tonight">two against the Mariners</a>.</p>
<p>So we got three against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Orioles</a> here at home and four more in Kansas City to end the regular season.</p>
<p>Four more wins is a total of 97 wins for the season – not shabby at all, and likely close to being the Major League’s best.</p>
<p>But the key word in that sentence above is “<span class="caps">CLOSE</span>.” Both Minnesota and New York could easily grab home field throughout the playoffs:</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com//schedule">Twins have 92 wins</a>, and play three at Kansas City and four vs. the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a>.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com//schedule">Yankees have 93 wins</a> – the same as your Rays. They play three at Toronto, and three more at Boston.</p>
<p>Simply put, the Rays must keep pace with both teams over this final week if they want to own the best record, and all that comes with it.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2010/9/27/1714674/rays-schedule-final-seven-gamesGregg Burrage2010-09-13T10:43:07-04:002010-09-13T10:43:07-04:00Rays Next Ten Games Are Huge
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<p>Of the Tampa Bay Rays next ten games, seven of them are against the AL East-leading New York Yankees. By and large, how the two teams fare in these seven will determine the winner of the <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/6/16/1521930/al-east-standings-race-for-top">American League East</a>.</p>
<p>So far, the Rays have taken 6 of 11 in the series – just over half.</p>
<p>Of the seven remaining games, four of them are up in New York, and the other three in St. Petersburg.</p>
<p>As we said earlier, <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/8/27/1653943/rays-remaining-schedule-favorable?show_comments=true">if the Rays win just two of these seven games, they are likely to be OK for the Wild Card</a> spot in the American League. I believe the Rays will take at least two games.</p>
<p>However, I believe the Yankees will take at least two games, too.</p>
<p>With <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/6/16/1521930/al-east-standings-race-for-top">both teams trading the top spot in all the land back and forth</a> all year long, and the near-split of the season series thus far, it's probably safe to assume the Yankees will win four of the seven, keeping everything 50-50. That’s the logical thinking, so it probably won’t happen.</p>
<p>We’d be thrilled with a split in New York and a series win in St. Pete. That gives the Rays four of seven, which will virtually put the Rays in a position to lead the AL East through the rest of the regular season.</p>
<p>But let’s win five of them to leave no question, mmmkay?</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/9/13/1685718/rays-next-ten-games-are-hugeGregg Burrage2010-09-11T16:52:30-04:002010-09-11T16:52:30-04:00Rays Schedule: The Stretch Run - 21 Games Remain
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<p>Since our <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/8/27/1653943/rays-remaining-schedule-favorable?show_comments=true">last update</a>, five series are nearly over, and six series remain. First a look at what has happened:</p>
<p>The Rays took 3 of the last 6 against the Red Sox, just as we had hoped.</p>
<p>They have won 4 of the last 5 against the Blue Jays but only 1 of 3 from the Orioles. I had hoped the Rays won 75% of these games, but unless they beat Toronto tomorrow, and sweep the Orioles later this month, it looks as if they will come up short. In hindsight, perhaps 9 of 12 was asking too much.</p>
<p>Still, that means the Rays are only one or two games behind what we had hoped for two weeks ago.</p>
<p>The Rays remain on pace to win about 98 games, and with it, a berth in the American League Playoffs.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/9/11/1682883/rays-schedule-the-stretch-run-21Gregg Burrage2010-08-30T13:03:56-04:002010-08-30T13:03:56-04:00Rays Remaining Schedule Vs. Yankees Remaining Schedule
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<p>A few days ago, DRays Bay contributor rglass44 compared the Rays remaining schedule against the Yankees remaining schedule, and says our <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2010/8/23/1637538/is-it-time-to-start-scoreboard">hometown heroes have the edge</a>.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/8/30/1658682/rays-remaining-schedule-vs-yankeesGregg Burrage2010-08-27T14:00:32-04:002010-08-27T14:00:32-04:00Rays Remaining Schedule Favorable
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<p>With a three game set at Tropicana Field, the Rays have the opportunity to deal a severe blow to the Red Sox this weekend. But with only 35 games remaining, let's take a quick look beyond at the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com//schedule">Tampa Bay Rays remaining schedule</a>:</p>
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<p>3 vs. Boston Red Sox<br>3 vs. <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Blue Jays</a><br>3 at <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Orioles</a><br>3 at <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Red Sox</a><br>3 at Toronto Blue Jays<br>3 vs <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a><br>3 vs LA <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a><br>4 at New York Yankees<br>3 vs <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Mariners</a><br>3 vs Baltimore Orioles<br>4 at <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a><br><strong>END REGULAR SEASON</strong></p>
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<p>Twenty-five games remain against teams in the American League East, which leaves<strong> ten games against clubs from outside the division</strong>:</p>
<p>Three home games are scheduled against the LA Angels of Anaheim, who are 2 games under .500. During the 2010 season, the Rays have won 4 of 6 against the team from two cities.</p>
<p>The Seattle Mariners come to St. Petersburg for a three game set. They possess a slightly better record than the Baltimore Orioles, both of which are all but officially eliminated from contention for a Wild Card. The Rays have taken five of the six games played against Seattle thus far.</p>
<p>The regular season ends with a four game road trip to Kansas City. The Royals have won less than 43 percent this year, and are even worse at home. But the Rays have thus far split the season searies with them at 2 games apiece.</p>
<p>All three of those clubs are under .500, and the Rays have taken 11 of 16 from them. They should be able to grab at least six of the final ten.</p>
<p>The remaining games against the American League East will prove to be a bit more difficult.</p>
<p>Six games remain against the Baltimore Orioles, who have only won 35.2 percent of their games. The Rays have taken 9 of 12 from the hapless Orioles thus far in 2010.</p>
<p>Six games remain between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Rays. So far, the division rivals have split the series at 6 apiece, and Toronto has won 52 percent of their games.</p>
<p>The Rays have six games against the Boston Red Sox over the next twelve games. Boston's winning percentage is .570, and your Rays have won 8 of 12 thus far this year.</p>
<p>The team who the Rays have been battling with all year for the division lead are the New York Yankees. The two clubs are tied for the best record in baseball, winning more than 61 percent. So far, the Rays have taken 6 of 11 in the series, and there are seven games remaining, four of those up there in New York.</p>
<p>With the exception of Toronto, you will notice the Rays have a winning record against each of their division rivals. But this is the stretch run.</p>
<p>Baltimore and Toronto have no real shot at making the playoffs, so it won't be surprising to see some of those players take it easy over the next month. Still, with half of the games on the road, the St. Pete Nine can take nothing for granted. We would hope they can win nine of twelve.</p>
<p>The Red Sox and Yankees are a different story altogether. Neither are really used to seeing a third team in the race for the AL East, and will both likely be doing all they can to beat the interlopers. </p>
<p>Luckily for the Rays, the Red Sox are pretty beat up. Even so, they have really been doing quite a job of keeping pace through all the injuries.</p>
<p>If the Rays can win 2 of three this weekend at home, the Sox may get a bit discouraged, and fade a bit. But if the Rays can find a way to take all three, the city of Boston will all but throw in the towel.</p>
<p>If the Sox happen to win the series, expect them to remain focused. All is not lost for the Rays, though, as the Sox end the regular season playing six of nine against the Yankees.</p>
<p>Which brings us to the Evil Empire.</p>
<p>After already playing 125+ games, it only makes sense to have more games remaining against the Yankees than any other team. The question is: Does it really matter?</p>
<p>Let's say the Rays do what they are supposed to do with those teams with losing records, and win 16 of them. For giggles, we'll say the Rays only take three from the Sox. Two wins against those Yankees gives the Rays 99 for the season, likely good enough to win the Wild Card at least.</p>
<p>Of course, we want the Rays to win the division, but if our team takes care of the teams they should beat, we can look forward to some playoff action.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/8/27/2320010/rays-remaining-schedule-favorableGregg Burrage