Why are there still so maybe Ray doubters out there?

Question

As a Rays fan it's starting to get annoying with everyone still doubting them making the playoffs. Saying the Yankees, who are 10.5 GB may make a push is just stupid, the Rays bull-pen and starting pitching is 10x better. The Rays are 1.5 GB of the BEST record in the AL behind the Angels who they are playing at home tonight. So if they win the series, which I predict they will, they will have the best record in the AL and depending on the Cubs maybe the best in baseball. Even with the injuries they're still finding ways to win and Pena has been a monster lately and he's carrying this team offensively right now. And Rocco has been very helpful and will get better with time. So please someone tell me, how can you doubt the Rays anymore? Seriously.

Answer 1

Because the Rays have never been there before.  They are young and inexperienced.  

Answer 2

I'm a Rays fan, too.  And I share your optimism.  The Red Sox and especially the Yankees aren't showing me anything.  The Rays just finished a 10 game road trip 7-3 WITHOUT Longoria or Crawford.  They can't win on the road??  They are 4-2 against the LAA.  They've got guys like Gross, Aybar and Hinske who've been contributing all year.  Yes, Kaz hasn't been lights out this year, but Garza, Jackson and Sonnanstine are picking up the slack.  The pitching staff could have 6 guys with 10+ wins this year and I think the bullpen by committee will work til Percival comes back.

Edit:  The Rays have the 2nd best road record in the AL at 30-31

Answer 3

People aren't that smart. The Rays are in. I'm glad too. I hate the Yankees!

Answer 4

I'm with you dude. I hope the Red Sox win the pennant, but if you guys win it, you'll deserve it.  

Answer 5

Season still isn't over. I don't see the Yankees winning the AL East, but the Wild Card is still in play. I said it in March and I still maintain it.

And everyone has reason to doubt the Rays. They haven't had a winning season yet and haven't felt the heat of a September pennant race. The Rays winning the division is not a sure thing. The Yankees and Red Sox are both teams that have experience in September and October. Be mad, but it's a fact.  

Answer 6

I find it annoying that anyone would complain that people doubt a team that's never come close to having a winning season.

A. They've lost two of their big players at the most crucial time.

B. Most of their games the rest of the season are ON THE ROAD. This is NOT a good road team.

C. They have no one with any experience in the situation they're about to enter (crunch time) and that's going to hurt.

If it was possible to put money today on the Rays not making the post season, I'd do it two heartbeats.

Answer 7

At the beginning of the year I told people my predicitons that the Rays would make the playoffs. I had over 10 responses of people laughing at me.

I guess you can see how that turned out.

Answer 8

How are they maybe doubters?

Just wondering. There are the injuries Longo and Crawford that the Rays can overcome, but it will be hard to replace Percival. Plus Rocco is fragile and could burn out any second so that'll keep the Rays on their toes. And Kazmir isn't doing nearly as well as before. Now he's just giving us 5 innings each time. But if any team got up to that high in the league, they deserve to be respected. But every team will be doubted the first time they are in a playoff race. It's only natural after all those years of failure.

Answer 9

I have nothing against the Rays & I think they are for real but anything can happen & could still lose the division to Boston & lose wild card to Twins or White Sox.  I wish the Rays luck & if they do make it to play offs/World Series, I will cheer them on but even though they have lead in AL East, it's not their's just yet. Yankees may not win division, but still a shot at wild card.  Yankees & Rays still have 6 games against each other

Answer 10

Ok, i already found a few errors in what you just said.  

1.) I think people arent really looking at the Yankees catching up the Rays, they are thinking of the Rays possibly slipping to wild card contention where the WHite Sox and Twins who are only 5 games back of the Rays rite now mite catch up to them.

2.) And the Rays will need to sweep the Angels in order to own the best record in the AL. Not just win the series.  If they win 2 outta 3, the Angels will still own teh better record.

People are doubting the Rays because they do lack their big bats in Longoria and Crawford and the fact that no one even had faith that the Rays would still be in it even helps fuels their thinking.  The best thing to do is hope the Rays continue playing and personally I really want to them the playoffs.  Its about time to see some new faces.  And I know you're a Rays fan, but dont sound like a bias one.  And I really dont think the Rays will beat the Angels in a series.

EDIT: And I wouldnt say Rocco has been very helpful so far, hes 4 for 16 with 1 RBI and 0 RUNs.  In time, yes, he mite get back to form.

Answer 11

You are accurate in saying there are still many fans who are not won over by the performance of the Rays this year, but I am not one of them.  It is amazing what they have been able to do, and in a division where the Red Sox and Yankees reside.  They definitely could have a problem with both Crawford and Longoria out but this will certainly be a season for all Rays fans to remember.

Answer 12

There are two reasons why people are hating on the rays...

1)  They are not the Yankees

2)  They are not the Red Sox.

They've never been in this situation before, and everyone thinks/hopes they choke.

I really like the parity in the East this year.