Tampa Bay Rays Are Ready To Taste Champagne Again
Imagine being on a baseball team that has to know that every day they go out there they are in competition with two of the best teams in baseball: the Red Sox and the Yankees. While some teams will run and hide, the Rays take this challenge head on because they know that it makes them a better team. While they did finish 19 games back last season, it was more about the quality of the division than it was their play.
Tampa Bay is only two years removed from playing for the World Series title and they still have a large core of that group together on this team. Last year was an up and down season, but this team should not be counted out. If they were in any other division, they would be one of the favorites, but in the East, it takes perfect baseball to get the banner hung.
While many fans could be disappointed to be in a division that is so tough, Rays fans should be excited because they are going to see incredible games all season and in the end, it will make their team better. If they need another reason look no further than their young, stud pitcher Jeff Niemann. This is one of best young arms in baseball and he is wearing your colors.
Bullpen duties are being taken over by Rafael Soriano who has been pitching absolutely lights out for Atlanta over the last three seasons. Before that, he was one of many young pitchers to come up in the Seattle system. If you look around, there are quite a few closers and solid starters that they spit out over the years. There was a stretch when their front office really knew what they were doing in regards to pitching.
Last season was the first time that Soriano was given the chance to be the full time closer and man did he take to it. He converted 27 of 31 saves with the Braves and showed everyone that he is one of the future stars of the game. He will surely make the most of this opportunity and show Tampa Fans that Atlanta was crazy to ever let him get away.
The offense is looking sexy this season and Longoria is heading it up. From the very first moment that he took the field he was tagged as superstar. While some young players would shy away from the role, he has embraced it and become a true leader of this franchise. This is his third season of what will surely be a very long and esteemed career in Tampa Bay.
There is going to be a lot of great baseball played in Tampa Bay this season. They have very solid pitching and some of the best young bats in baseball. Throw in some of those cagey veterans for good measure and we have the perfect recipe for a championship. Get ready to get excited Rays fans because you are putting out one of the better teams in the 2010 season.
By Jake Kohler, article sponsored by TicketSeating.com. TicketSeating.com sells Tampa Bay Rays Tickets, MLB Tickets, Sports Tickets and more to your favorite events around your area.
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