2016 Tampa Bay Rays

[Tobywan]

Last weeks moves.....Nick Franklin, Luke Maile, Taylor Motter were optioned to Durham.

They reassigned RHP Ryan Garton, RHP Parker Markel, 1B Kyle Roller, LHP Jonny Venters and RHP Neil Wagner to minor league camp.





This week:

RHP Matt Andriese and INF/OF Richie Shaffer were optioned to the minors.


C Rene Rivera, RHP Adam Reifer, RHP Dan Johnson and RHP David Carpenter were released.

INF/DH James Loney has been informed he will not be on the team, he will be either traded or released.


Rays have 27 players still on roster, the last two spots are between RHP Andrew Bellatti, RHP Danny Farquhar, LHP Dana Eveland and OF Mikie Mahtook.

[Tobywan]

Manager Kevin Cash opted to go with strengthening the bull pen by adding Dave Eveland and sending Mikie Mahtook back to the minors.


Here is the Rays 2016 25-man roster:

Alex Cobb and Brad Boxberger to the DL.

Pitchers:

SP-Chris Archer, Drew Smyly, Jake Odorizzi, Matt Moore, BP-Xavier Cedeno, Alex Colome, Dana Eveland, Danny Farquhar, Steve Geltz, Erasmo Ramirez, Enny Romero, Ryan Webb

C-Curt Casali and Hank Conger

INF- Tim Beckham, Logan Forsythe, Evan Longoria, Brad Miller, Logan Morrison and Steve Pearce

OF-Corey Dickerson, Brandon Guyer, Desmond Jennings, Kevin Kiermaier and Steven Souza Jr.

[Tobywan]

The Tampa Bay Rays projected Opening Day line-up against the Blue Jays.


Forsythe-2B
Morrison-1B
Longoria-3B
Dickerson-DH
Jennings-LF
Miller-SS
Souza Jr.-RF
Kiermaier-CF
Conger-C

Archer P

[Tobywan]

It's here, it's here, balls, bats, time to play, it's here, it's here, Opening Day.

May your players stay healthy, no contusions, no pains.
May your pitchers stay stealthy, no balks, no sprains.

Clean slate, home plate, open the door, perk up your ears and hear the crowds roar.
The ring is the prize in everyone's eyes, the Royals are champs, but now, no more camps.
Wear your colors with pride, hang on for the ride, living the dream, root, root for your team.

My Rays are my joy, but I won't be coy, let the season begin, I want them to win.
My Archer will strike, he'll Pearce through the order, with Forsythe the Outlaw will cover the border.
With excitement and cheers when they give us a reason, here's to the hope of a wonderful season.

It's here, it's here, balls, bats, time to play, it's here, it's here,

OPENING DAY!!!!!

[Tobywan]

The Tampa Bay Rays open the season with a four game series against the reigning AL East Division champion Toronto Blue Jays.
Projected pitching match-ups for this series are...........

4/3 Marcus Stroman vs Archer
4/4 R.A.Dickey vs Drew Smyly
4/5 Aaron Sanchez vs Jake Odorizzi
4/6 J.P. Happ vs Matt Moore

Opening Day rosters


Blue Jays lineup

Kevin Pillar CF
Josh Donaldson 3B
Jose Bautista RF
Edwin Encarnacion DH
Troy Tulowitzki SS
Justin Smoak 1B
Michael Saunders LF
Russell Martin C
Ryan Goins 2B

Marcus Stroman P


Rays lineup

Logan Forsythe 2B
Logan Morrison 1B
Evan Longoria 3B
Corey Dickerson DH
Desmond Jennings LF
Brad Miller SS
Steven Souza, Jr RF
Kevin Kiermaier CF
Hank Conger C

Chris Archer P



Rays UP!

[Tobywan]

George Wendt,( Norm from "Cheers) threw out the ceremonial first pitch, Papa John's owner was on hand, Commissioner Rob Manfred was hanging out in the owner's box.


Outcome was not much different than last season's Opening Day, Chris Archer was jittery, though once he calmed down he pitched his usual game ended up with 12 Ks. He became the first pitcher with 12 Ks on Opening Day since Felix Hernandez had 12 in 2007. it also set a team record for opening day strikeouts.

A total of 16 Ks by Rays pitchers tied modern day record for Ks on Opening Day with 2005 Mets (v Reds).


Kevin Kiermaier's rare base running mistake after an early ingenious move that unfortunately was reviewed and overturned. Logan Morrison doing his best Robert De Niro impression forgetting that Marcus Stroman yells at himself.


A sign of things to come, perhaps?
With his home run in the 9th, Corey Dickerson became the first Ray to homer on Opening Day in his Rays debut since Eric Hinske in 2008.



Hopefully, it's everything but getting our last out of the season.