Tampa Bay Rays happy with American League East standings – MLB Update
According to a leading sports website, Tampa Bay Rays’ Manager Joe Maddon is happy with the current American League East standings. Not many expected the Rays to end June as the leaders of the league but credit must be given to Maddon for managing things
extremely effectively.
Maddon is an experienced campaigner. His ability to give maximum results with minimum of resources is what makes him an asset for the Rays. Rays have given strong performances against some of the top teams in Major League Baseball.
After starting the season with a series sweep against New York Yankees, they have not looked back. Above all, Rays’ capability to bounce-back from difficult situations is what they are very proud of.
Rays’ rivals Baltimore Orioles have also looked in commanding form since the start of the season. As a matter of fact, both teams are tied at 30-23 at the top of the table. The running three game series between these two sides will decide who sits at the
top of division. Rays’ secured a comfortable 5-0 win in the opening game and the Orioles fought back 2-1 in the following game to level series.
"I want to make it perfectly clear that I'm really happy with where we are right now,'' he said. "I know it's always upsetting to lose a couple of games in a row, but taking everything into consideration right now, I'll take it.''
"I've been able to throw pretty much all my pitches for strikes right now,'' said David Price. "We've been able to get ahead, get some early outs, things like that. (catcher) Jose (Molina) and I have been on the same page, and we've got it going pretty good.''
With home conditions working in their favour, Tampa Bay is likely to dominate Orioles in the decisive finale but nothing is predictable in baseball. The offence has produced big numbers on regular basis for the Rays since the start of the season. According
to second baseman Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay Rays are aware of the threat posed by Baltimore.
Considering Baltimore’s strong hitting and pitching lineups, they are likely to stay at the top of the standing along with the Rays. It will be crucial for Rays to get the better of Orioles in one-on-one encounters.
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