Time for a little "RAY" of sunshine game thread (6-17-21)

TraderGary
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Re: Time for a little "RAY" of sunshine game thread (6-17-21)

Post by TraderGary » Fri Jun 18, 2021 7:20 am

I don't know about the rest of you, but I think tonight's game may be my favorite win of the season thus far for many reasons....

1. We're facing the best team in baseball
2. We presented a very weak starting lineup that included Murphy batting cleanup. (Tells you all you need to know)
3. We were facing a starter who was coming in with a 3.38 ERA
4. We lose our starter who was throwing the ball very well after just 2 innings and end up having to go with a bullpen game
5. We go down by 3 runs in the 6th, and with their stellar pitching combined with our extremely weak lineup, the game for all practical purposes appears to be over.
6. But when all is said and done, we end up battling back and beating the best team in baseball, and in very dramatic fashion with 2 huge runs in the bottom of the 9th against one of the best bullpens in the game.

If that's not a satisfying win, I don't know what is.

I do get down on this team from time to time, but the heart they showed tonight and the way they kept battling and refusing to fold to the best team in baseball despite being grossly outmanned..... that is what makes this game so much fun. And despite all the heart-wrenching moments we deal with as long-suffering M's fans, it's nights like tonight that almost makes it all worth it.

I think this was a classic game, only because of who we were facing. No one could realistically look at this matchup, the lineup we were throwing at them, and the pitching they were throwing at us, and realistically predict with any confidence whatsoever that we would even have an opportunity to win this game. For me personally, this win felt more satisfying than any this season, and I think it was the same for the players, knowing full well that the Rays are the superior team, but saying, "I don't give a damn..... let's play the game and see who the better team is on this night". I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!

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Donn Beach
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Re: Time for a little "RAY" of sunshine game thread (6-17-21)

Post by Donn Beach » Fri Jun 18, 2021 7:57 am

Dunn did go on the IR at the beginning of the month for a sore shoulder, it might be a little concerning if it's still sore

IStillLoveTheMs
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Re: Time for a little "RAY" of sunshine game thread (6-17-21)

Post by IStillLoveTheMs » Fri Jun 18, 2021 8:24 am

bpj wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 6:20 am
Definitely an athletic bunch.

Terry may be right about not needing vets. I'd throw an ace at the top of the rotation, minimum, but I could definitely see Dipoto sticking with his miser ways.

They can do a 3 to make 2 at 3B and 2B with France/Moore/Long.

They can do a 4 to make 3 in the OF with Kelenic/Fraley/Lewis/Bauers

They can do a 2 to make 1 at 1B with White and Bauers.

One thing having Edwin Diaz taught us is you can have a respectable season doing nothing but having a lights out closer. I'd start there. Dipoto always seems to make sure he has closer options, I think our bullpen is already shaping up nicely.

An ace, a closer, a Nelson Cruz, and go to war.
Not sure any GM in their right mind would go out and make trades for a team that hovers around (mostly below) .500 and with a signifcant negative run differential to boot. If the M's go into the All Star break on a high note, maybe 6 or 7 games over .500, then you might see some action.

But this team is FAR from showing that they're worthy of sending off prospects so you can chase a wild card spot.

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D-train
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Re: Time for a little "RAY" of sunshine game thread (6-17-21)

Post by D-train » Fri Jun 18, 2021 8:42 am

Petert wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 3:47 am
Donn Beach wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 3:39 am
Dunn was the one that asked to be taken out at 75 pitches that time. Of course if he hides an injury from his manager he gets critized for that
Exactly. We don't know if it was 'Ella or Memorex' (there's a flashback for you).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-IvTF0xUxM
dt

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D-train
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Re: Time for a little "RAY" of sunshine game thread (6-17-21)

Post by D-train » Fri Jun 18, 2021 8:56 am

Juliooooo wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 5:53 am
AT Fresno wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 5:40 am
Meanwhile good news in Tacoma as Witte, Thomas go long early and Raleigh and Kelenic go deep later for Rainiers to surge to an 11-7 lead with an inning left to play.
I wish Thomas got more of a chance in Seattle when he was called up. Love that Raliegh continues to hit. No need to rush him imo. After the All star break is perfect timing imo. Ian McKinney got his first start in AAA, and didn't fare so well. Perhaps we do need to give these guys a chance to adjust and work their way up through all levels before we bring them to Seattle, especially guys like him that are so fringy.
Why is after the AS break perfect timing?
dt

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Donn Beach
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Re: Time for a little "RAY" of sunshine game thread (6-17-21)

Post by Donn Beach » Fri Jun 18, 2021 10:51 am

IStillLoveTheMs wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 8:24 am
bpj wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 6:20 am
Definitely an athletic bunch.

Terry may be right about not needing vets. I'd throw an ace at the top of the rotation, minimum, but I could definitely see Dipoto sticking with his miser ways.

They can do a 3 to make 2 at 3B and 2B with France/Moore/Long.

They can do a 4 to make 3 in the OF with Kelenic/Fraley/Lewis/Bauers

They can do a 2 to make 1 at 1B with White and Bauers.

One thing having Edwin Diaz taught us is you can have a respectable season doing nothing but having a lights out closer. I'd start there. Dipoto always seems to make sure he has closer options, I think our bullpen is already shaping up nicely.

An ace, a closer, a Nelson Cruz, and go to war.
Not sure any GM in their right mind would go out and make trades for a team that hovers around (mostly below) .500 and with a signifcant negative run differential to boot. If the M's go into the All Star break on a high note, maybe 6 or 7 games over .500, then you might see some action.

But this team is FAR from showing that they're worthy of sending off prospects so you can chase a wild card spot.
We are not talking about this season are we? The mood here swings all over the place about how close this team could be.

DavidGee24
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Re: Time for a little "RAY" of sunshine game thread (6-17-21)

Post by DavidGee24 » Fri Jun 18, 2021 1:56 pm

Buccaneerbydynasty must have gone on a rampage in the Rays Forum last night after the game, going on about how Kevin Cash is an idiot for not putting Seager on to set up a forceout, how it was dumber than pulling Snell in Game 6 of the World Series last year, and capping it off by wailing that Tampa Bay will never win a championship. :D

Speaking of which, who would have ever thought that Tampa Bay would be the undisputed dominant city in American professional sports? Two champs and a runner-up, I wonder when was the last time any city had that, maybe New York at some point. The Lightning are up 2-1 in the NHL conference finals so they might win the Cup again.

AT Funchal-Madeira
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Re: Time for a little "RAY" of sunshine game thread (6-17-21)

Post by AT Funchal-Madeira » Fri Jun 18, 2021 2:09 pm

TraderGary wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 7:20 am

If that's not a satisfying win, I don't know what is.

I do get down on this team from time to time, but the heart they showed tonight and the way they kept battling and refusing to fold to the best team in baseball despite being grossly outmanned..... that is what makes this game so much fun. And despite all the heart-wrenching moments we deal with as long-suffering M's fans, it's nights like tonight that almost makes it all worth it.

I think this was a classic game, only because of who we were facing. No one could realistically look at this matchup, the lineup we were throwing at them, and the pitching they were throwing at us, and realistically predict with any confidence whatsoever that we would even have an opportunity to win this game. For me personally, this win felt more satisfying than any this season, and I think it was the same for the players, knowing full well that the Rays are the superior team, but saying, "I don't give a damn..... let's play the game and see who the better team is on this night". I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
Yeah, I'd say that was a little "RAY" of sunshine for sure. Classic post. It doesn't take much to capture the hearts of your fans.... just try hard and come through once in a while. Such an interesting season. Rookies are so inconsistent, watching them grow is a real exercise in patience, but it's a rewarding experience. There's a real chemistry developing among some of these young men, some athletism, some versatility, some doggedness, some determination, and some fibers of confidence.... inconsistencies in the rotation, the bullpen, at the plate, in the field.... the gaps are narrowing and we are coming out of the shadows.....

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Juliooooo
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Re: Time for a little "RAY" of sunshine game thread (6-17-21)

Post by Juliooooo » Fri Jun 18, 2021 2:42 pm

D-train wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 8:56 am
Juliooooo wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 5:53 am
AT Fresno wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 5:40 am
Meanwhile good news in Tacoma as Witte, Thomas go long early and Raleigh and Kelenic go deep later for Rainiers to surge to an 11-7 lead with an inning left to play.
I wish Thomas got more of a chance in Seattle when he was called up. Love that Raliegh continues to hit. No need to rush him imo. After the All star break is perfect timing imo. Ian McKinney got his first start in AAA, and didn't fare so well. Perhaps we do need to give these guys a chance to adjust and work their way up through all levels before we bring them to Seattle, especially guys like him that are so fringy.
Why is after the AS break perfect timing?
I think he needs a few more weeks, and bringing him up for 1-2 weeks then having a big break isn't ideal imo
The poster formerly known as Kingfelixk. With a new forum comes a new boardname. Julio is my guy, plus we share a birthday, so that's Culiooooo

Adopt a Mariner-Julio Rodriguez

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bpj
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Re: Time for a little "RAY" of sunshine game thread (6-17-21)

Post by bpj » Fri Jun 18, 2021 5:31 pm

IStillLoveTheMs wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 8:24 am
bpj wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 6:20 am
Definitely an athletic bunch.

Terry may be right about not needing vets. I'd throw an ace at the top of the rotation, minimum, but I could definitely see Dipoto sticking with his miser ways.

They can do a 3 to make 2 at 3B and 2B with France/Moore/Long.

They can do a 4 to make 3 in the OF with Kelenic/Fraley/Lewis/Bauers

They can do a 2 to make 1 at 1B with White and Bauers.

One thing having Edwin Diaz taught us is you can have a respectable season doing nothing but having a lights out closer. I'd start there. Dipoto always seems to make sure he has closer options, I think our bullpen is already shaping up nicely.

An ace, a closer, a Nelson Cruz, and go to war.
Not sure any GM in their right mind would go out and make trades for a team that hovers around (mostly below) .500 and with a signifcant negative run differential to boot. If the M's go into the All Star break on a high note, maybe 6 or 7 games over .500, then you might see some action.

But this team is FAR from showing that they're worthy of sending off prospects so you can chase a wild card spot.
If you're going to add good players in the offseason, might as well do it now when they're available if the right guys come on the block, as long as they're signed for 2021+ also.

The Astros didn't just pick up Greinke and Verlander for the half season. If the right player's on the market, he/she/they likely won't be there again this offseason.

Cleveland, for example, is probably at about the point where guys like Ramirez amd Bieber start to price them out in arbitration. If they fall out of contention, a package like that may be a great fit for the Mariners. May be an offseason possibility.

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