re: DAT 6/18: Rays (Stanek) @ Astros (Cole) 7:10

The annoying thing about Gomez is not only did we give up what has become the best reliever in baseball Josh Hader but we had to friggin cater to that douche's demands while he was here. He refused to play anywhere but center for us. I even tried to defend the guy at the beginning.

The trade IMO was still a win ultimately for us for one reason-Mike Fiers. The guy had his massive massive faults but he ate a ton of innings for us and had his hot stretches on what was a playoff team in 2015 and WS winning team last year.

Why sis the Rays pull the starting pitcher in the top of the 2nd after only 11 pitches thrown? He wasn't injured.

That's how Tampa Bay rolls.

Instead of a closer, they have an "opener."

quote:

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Why sis the Rays pull the starting pitcher in the top of the 2nd after only 11 pitches thrown? He wasn't injured

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Stanek is a reliever. The Rays are experimenting with an "opening" pitcher rather than a starting pitcher. The idea is that hitters start to tee off on a pitcher the 3rd time theough the order. So the Rays use relievers for the first couple innings and then bring in the traditional starter so that he doesn't face the lineup 3 times.

It hasn't worked at all so far. The "openers" have something like a 7 ERA.

The openers have been blown up a few times, but I think more often have been effective. The ERA looks ugly because of the blow ups. I know Venters gave up 5 ER in .1 IP a week or so ago. Romo got lit up once too, but it was his 2nd or 3rd straight day opening.

Bring in Giles.

The JuiceBox is uncomfy with the roof closed on rainy, muggy days.

Well Hoo, you had a good run. If we were on the road down 4 I’d have more faith but not at home. Same old inconsistent shite.

Cole is simply all over the place tonight.

KEMP!!!