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July 2, 2008

On the Beat

A New Order

by John Perrotto

The Rays have crossed the midway point of the schedule with a record that is 19 games above .500. That may be stunning to many because the Rays never won more than 70 games in any of their first 10 seasons, and finished out of last place in the American League East just once in their existence. However, the Rays are 51-32 and have a 2½–game lead over the defending World Series champion Red Sox in the division, having beaten Boston each of the first two games of their showdown series in Tampa Bay, which concludes tonight.

"We left spring training knowing we would be better," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "We had expectations coming into the season for the first time ever. We felt we would win our share of games. At the same time, I don’t think anybody saw this coming. I don’t think even the biggest optimist could have foreseen that we would have one of the best records in the major leagues at the beginning of July."

PECOTA certainly thought of the Rays as winners coming into this season, as it projected Tampa Bay to go 90-72. People around baseball are also coming to the realization that the Rays are more than a team off to a fluky start, as they have the best record in baseball. "I don’t think this team is going to fall out of the race," rookie third baseman Evan Longoria said. "We have a solid all-around team. We have good pitching, both starting and relieving, we score runs and we play good defense. I think we have everything you would look for in a contending team. "I also know that there isn’t a guy in this clubhouse who feels we’re a fluke. We’re not cocky by any means but we also have the confidence of a team that knows it can compete with anyone."

That air of confidence has never been there before, and it makes those bad days of the Vince Naimoli ownership era seem like a lifetime ago instead of just three years removed. "The great thing about it is that the people in the Tampa Bay area are really starting to get into this team," Rays right fielder Eric Hinske said. "When we go out to restaurants and other public places people are starting to notice us. I know that’s never happened before and it’s nice. This franchise has gone through some tough times, and it’s nice to see things changing."

The Rays have every reason to feel good. As Longoria said, they have performed well in all areas, as they are second in the major leagues in defensive efficiency (.713), sixth in runs allowed per game (4.04), and 10^th in runs scored per game (4.72).