First rule in managing per Joe Maddon - wait until your pitcher has given up the lead and then bring in the reliever. AGAIN - this team will NEVER win with this idiot as a “manager.”

Wait, don’t forget to stack 3 Lefties at the top of the order every game so the opposing manager doesnt have to think about matchups late in games. Or how about stacking 3 to start the order against a LHP. He did Sun against Pettite and again tonight against Bedard. WTF. Move BJ either to the 3 hole or the 2 hole and split these lefties up. Not a difficult decision. I’d rather have BJ on and Pena driving him in then visa vera. BJ can score on a double from 1st Pena cannot.

The combined BA of CC, Pena and Upton since Maddon adopted that 2-3-4 order has been close to .350

It’s an excellent priority as none of the lead three batters have particular problems dealing with a LHP.  And when the other team has to go to RH relief, then we’re set up for even more crunch in the late innings.

All I said was, I would rather have Upton( who has 8 BB to 1 HR) in front of Pena who has 6 HR and is slugging over .650. Not to mention the obvious of Upton can score from first on a double Pena cannot. Upton can put himself in scoring position after walks or singles by stealing bases, Pena cannot. Plus IT BREAKS UP THE 3 LEFTIES!!!!

It’s not urgent to break up these three LH bats.  None of the three unduly suffer when a LHP eeither starts the game or relieves.

There may be at most a half dozen LH relief pitchers in the entire league that pose any measure of trouble to this Trifecta of LH bats.

Upton in the cleanup spot is the model for the future.  He creates a secondary ‘leadoff man’ And don’t be flapped by his one home run in first 12 games.  He’s a 25-35 HR man, not to mention 35+ doubles and a half dozen triples a year.

The Rays offense improved by almost 1.4 runs per game after Maddon flipped Pena and Upton early last August

As I’m typing this...HERE WE GO....Upton singles, steals second and Longoria walks.....first and second, no out.

I haven’t been posting here due to the low traffic and other higher priorities.

But allow me to introduce myself...I am a DRays Believer....

Barring severe ill health, they’re going to win 80+ games this season.  Future bright....shades....etc

C Crawford just demonstrated how to deal with a “tough LH reliever”

YAK!

Senor Pena gets HBP......three LH bats and two get on base....Now it’s time for a BJ moment

Any Time Is Good For a BJ Moment, but maybe that’s just me.....

WEDNESDAY 4/16 update

Looks like Joe M received the Urgent Fax from MATT24....Pena and BJ have been flipped in this batting order tonight.

Lack of LH Cliff Floyd almost mandates Pena be dropped to 4th or else we’ve got five of bottom six RH

If by chance you are watching tonight’s game then YOU HAVE TO KNOW that Maddon HAS TO GO!  He has totally lost control of this team.  They look at best like a single A ballclub trying to play in the majors.  Shields (A guy that I love) is acting like he doesn’t even want to be out there.  Aki, or whatever his name is, doesn’t understand that as a second baseman you sometimes have to cover first.  Upton (A guy that I love) can’t figure out that you cut off the runner at second instead of overthrowing the catcher when you have NO CHANCE of getting the runner on a basehit.  Pena is hitting .180 or so and just about gives a kiss to every runner from the opposing team who happens to stop at first.  Riggans, the catcher, (A guy that I can’t figure out why he’s even on a major league team) has no idea what to do when he gets the ball.  This team SUCKS.  It sucks because Maddon IS NOT A MANAGER!!!  HE IS A GREAT BENCH COACH.  HE IS NOT A MANAGER.  GET RID OF HIM SO THIS TEAM CAN START WINNING!!!

Riggans launches a 2 Run Tater as a friendly reminder of why he’s in the majors right now.

That and the only other healthy catcher in DRays org above AAA is 57 year old Mike DiFelice

Dude - he hits a home run and yet is responsible for at least three of the runs that the Twins have scored because when he gets a ball in his hand he craps his pants.  Senior should mean some type of intelligence.  NO ONE loves the Rays more than I do and NO ONE wants them to win more than I do.  Riggans is not a major league catcher and just because he hit a home run doesn’t change anything.  If you have been watching the same game I have been watching tonight then there shouldn’t be any argument.

heh...Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m watching the same game you are watching - TB in Minnesota

I have no notable complaints about the DRays and I remain quite confident in my preseason investments on their topping 75.5 wins and having their best season in club history.

I do agree with you that we don’t want players crapping their pants more than once per game.

Dude - I imagine you’re pretty pleased with yourself.  Morons usually are.  I want EVERYONE of the Rays to crap their pants EVERY inning if they will play WINNING baseball.  If they continue to play the way they played last night, they won’t win 60 games.  Back to my main point.  They will not win with Maddon as their manager.  He is NOT a major league manager.  Great bench coach?  Yes.  Great friend?  Yes.  Great student of the game? Yes.  Major league manager?  NO!!

heh

real927 - 17 April 2008 08:53 PM

Dude - I imagine you’re pretty pleased with yourself. 

I have more good days than bad.  Thanks for noticing

Quality managing once again from the great Joe. How about giving Ruggiano a chance? Gomes can’t play defense and Haynes has issues getting the ball out of the infield. No, he’ll probably get sent down when Johnson finally shows up.  He has the ability to be a 20-20 guy just check out his history. Oh, and he’s a pretty decent RF.