July 1, 2025 • 44 mins
This podcast completes our interviews done during both our series down in Tampa and this past weekend in Baltimore as we added a few special guests to the mix.
More than 40 minutes of interview content for you from some of the best personalities in Rays and baseball media coming your way!
Interview Time Stamps
3:16 - Steve Kinsella (Sports Talk Florida)
9:38 - Ethan Penn (Running From The OPS)
15:02 - Andy Freed & Neil Solondz (Rays Radio)
27:08 - Carlos Pena (Former Rays INF/DH & current Tigers analyst)
30:25 - Tricia Whitaker (Apple TV+)
35:05 - Ryan Bass (FanDuel Sports Network Sun)
Thanks so much for listening! You can follow RTR on social media @RaysTheRoofTB and be sure subscribe to the podcast!
A big shout out to our partners, SeatGeek, In The Clutch and JKS Prints! Use code RAYSTHEROOF for $20 off your first SeatGeek purchase, 10% off anytime with In The Clutch & $5 off at JKSprints.com!
As always, Rays Up!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:12):
It's time to raise the room for our latest regular season
episode. Welcome back everyone to this
latest episode of the pod. I'm host Alex RV and today we
have our second part of our podcast series type thing that
we did when we were down in Tampa.
We also have since included a couple interviews.
That we got when we were in. Baltimore because I was able to
(00:32):
go to all three games of the Rays O series.
Unfortunately, not a great series for the Rays.
They ended up losing two of three to the Orioles.
It seems like the Orioles are a pain, a thorn in the Rays side
recently. And then the Rays just lost on
Monday night against the Athletics to begin their
three-game homestand before the Rays go on the road for a pretty
(00:53):
lengthy road trip before the AllStar Break.
So, well, First off, if you guyshaven't gotten a chance to get
out to Steinbrenner Field beforethe All Star break, you only got
2. One more game, two more games to
do it in terms of this athletic series.
So be sure to get your tickets, get out to the ballpark and
support the raise. As I mentioned previously, we
have plenty of interviews comingyour way In this episode.
(01:16):
We talked with Steve Kinsella, multi time podcast guest of ours
from Sports Talk Florida. We talked with our friend Ethan
AKA Running from the OPS for oneof the games.
We talked with both Andy Fried and Neil Solans from Rays Radio.
We talked with Carlos Pena, former Rays slugger, still the
all time single season home run leader for the Rays, current
(01:38):
both TV and radio analyst for the Detroit Tigers.
And when we were in Baltimore, we got a chance to talk with
former Ray's sideline slash field reporter, Tricia Whitaker,
who is now solely with Apple TV plus doing their Friday night
baseball broadcast And also friend of the podcast, multi
time guest of the podcast, Ryan Bass, current Ray's sideline
(01:59):
reporter for FanDuel Sports Network Florida.
So be sure to enjoy all of thoseinterviews.
Like I said, we had plenty in this episode.
So we hope you enjoy. Before we go into the
interviews, though, we want to run our C Geek out.
If you guys haven't used C Geek,use code Raise the Roof at
checkout and all caps to get yourselves $20 off your first
purchase. Use it for race games.
(02:20):
Use it for pretty much anything coming up, concerts, sporting
events, anything of your desire,be sure to use C Geek.
So we'll run that and we'll be right back in this latest
episode of Raise the Roof. Hi everyone.
Alex here with a quick word fromour sponsor Seekee.
Seekeek is your one stop shop for tickets for everything from
(02:43):
live theater and concerts to sporting events like Ray's
games. Seekeek uses a color-coded scale
to show you where the best dealsare with green being good and
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before, we have a special deal just for you.
Use code Raise the roof, that's Ray spelled RAYS at checkout for
$20 off your first purchase withSeegeek.
Again, that's code Raise the Roof for 20 dollars off your
(03:05):
first SeatGeek purchase. Thanks so much to SeatGeek for
sponsoring us, and let's get back to this latest episode of
Raise the Roof. Well, raise the roof here with
Steve Kinsella, multi time guestof of the podcast Sports Talk,
Florida Ray's reporter and sorts.
Steve, it's been a bit, but how you doing?
(03:27):
Doing good. Nice and cool up here.
Very hot walking over here. You tell me.
Wanted to get your thoughts about what you've been seeing
from this team over the last month and a half, because it
seems like, I mean, it's been a dramatic shift from from where
things were when they were, what, like 21 and 26 to where
they are right now. Yeah, You know, sometimes it's
it takes a while for a team to become a team.
(03:48):
You know, baseball's still a team sport, you know?
You know, Robert De Niro in the movie about individuality, you
know, but it's still a team sport and they're firing all
cylinders. You know, they're stealing bases
or hitting home runs or hitting with runners in scoring
position. They're making the key plays in
the field. They're basically playing a
complete style of baseball From the little things that we see
(04:10):
early in the game, you get a pitcher of high pitched count,
not locked in yet. The razor making them pay.
We saw it last night with the Flaherty.
We've seen it a number of times where a veteran pitchers on the
mound, Zaka early on doesn't have it.
The Razor making them pay. Yeah.
So it's it's, it's all, it's allclicking, which is nice.
Yeah. Have you?
(04:30):
Like, is this something that youexpected from this team at some
point coming into this season? I remember being a little bit
upset at Eric Neander in spring training at our, at our initial
pressure and he said, you know that.
Then the he, he made a comment that he said was going to upset
some people. But he said what we feel about
this team, what we did in the offseason is that we can, if we
(04:52):
can have even a league average offense, which he believes we
have built, we're going to be a good team.
And I think he undersold a little bit of the offense
because it's a little bit betterthan league average.
But now I can I kind of see whathis vision was coming out of
spring training. You know, the the pitching staff
is going to keep you in many games.
And if you can just get a score some runs, you're going to win a
(05:15):
lot of games. And you can see what they're
doing. They're scoring runs and they're
you know, you give them a lead late in the game.
I know the bullpen gets a lot ofgrief, you know, for some of the
games that they've had, but you look at their record when
leading after six, leading after7, leading after 8, it's
fantastic. You know, even leading after
five, they have a fantastic record.
So, and some of that has to do with the offense adding on runs,
(05:37):
insurance runs and stuff like that and having big leads.
But overall it's I can see what Neander meant by league average
offense and what else we had. I'm not going to lie, I think
one of the things I'm most impressed with has been starting
pitching because this is I mean,you you remember a couple years
ago this was a team that was like leading Major League
Baseball and relief innings pitched.
And now they're among the leagueleaders in in starting pitching
(05:58):
innings pitched. And they've been getting quality
starts out of guys. And I keep raving about Zach
Latell, but he's been very consistent this season.
I know, you know, the home runs is kind of crazy.
He's only what is it? He's giving up like 20 something
homers and like 18 of them are are souls or whatever it is.
But like they're getting qualityand consistent starts out of the
guys who are starting the game and then the bullpens not being
(06:19):
as taxed as it's been improved each.
Year Now, one thing that I, I, Iused to bring up to people about
the bullpen numbers, you got to be careful when you when you
look at the numbers in the bullpen in the innings pitch.
Last year, Tyler Alexander had 101 innings for this team,
around 100 will call it. I don't want to say 101 to be
rough, but it's around 100 innings.
(06:40):
Most of that came out of the bowl thing.
Yeah. But he wasn't a reliever.
Yeah. I mean, a couple years ago they
had Ryan Yarbrough. Yarbrough in that role.
You know, they always seem to have that guy that would go in
there and eat the innings or Asmar Ramirez, you know, for a
bit. You know, whoever it was that
was coming in and doing 3-4 innings stands and the the
opener and bullpen day is going to use sparingly.
(07:01):
And to your point, the starting pitching is really, you know,
going 5-6 innings repeatedly. It's kind of a refreshing thing
to see having a pitcher go 5 or 6 innings every single night.
You know, one thing that I, I will tell you that's even more
remarkable about the bullpen innings being the fewest in
baseball is the Rays have playedan inordinate number of home
(07:25):
games. When you play at home, you have
to pitch 9 innings. You don't get a breather.
OK, if you go extra innings, yougot to go more.
So when you go on the road and you lose, you save an inning
unless you go into extra innings.
Your ways have done twice. And darn it, the Rays are
winning on the road, meaning they're also pitching 9 innings.
So for the Rays to have that suite of home games plus Rd.
(07:48):
Victories plus extra innings, Games on the road.
You Add all that up and have thefewest innings pitched out of a
Boardman that even has more power to how good the starting
rotation's been and giving you innings.
Yeah. And then the last thing I had is
sustainability, because again, this is, you know, what they've
been able to do over the last month and 1/2 has been really
impressive. But realistically, how
(08:08):
sustainable is this for the restof the year?
Well, if the Rays are doing whatthey did in 2017, which was hit
a bunch of homewards, that scares the heck out of me.
When you're a team that hits a bunch of homewards you're
heading for. And we see with Toronto Blue
Jays when they had Donaldson, Batista and.
The twins a couple years ago. Twins.
With the bomb squad and you see the Yankees many times you stop
(08:29):
hitting home runs old enough. This team generates runs through
still stealing getting on base. They're not a high slugging low
on base team and when they do get on base, they they know how
to run the bases. So sustainable, yes, especially
when you consider they'll be playing a lot of games in this
car for the ball does fly. You know, if if you notice the
(08:52):
the ground around the infield gets very fast as well.
I'm sure you've seen a lot of ground balls that have been high
choppers that have been difficult for the infield.
And you also see a lot of groundballs that you think to
yourself, off the bat, that's anout.
And it gets right through. Yeah.
Oh, 110 miles an hour off the bat.
Yeah. But boy, did it scoot through.
Yeah, You know, it had no slow down.
I was going to say meat. Meat had a couple of those last
(09:13):
night. He had a couple of those that
snuck through the left side of the infield.
And I just hope that fans realize it's going to it's going
to help you on offense. It's also going to make your
pitchers look at home runs and hits and stuff like that,
because this is a this this parkis starting to play fast on the
ground and light in the air. So sustainable.
Yes, I think very much so. All right, well.
Steve, thanks as always, man. Appreciate it.
(09:38):
All right, well, raise the roof here with someone who we've had
on multiple times, Ethan from running from the OPS.
Of course we find ways to meet up with people at games, but how
you doing man? Doing good and pleasure to to be
out here and I mean what what itstarts in the game already 404
runs in the first and well, it is this sweltering hot day that
the Rays are playing some some fantastic baseball.
(09:59):
Is this your first time It's time runner this year?
This is my third. I went to one of the Angels
games and I went to a Twins game.
Did you were all of the games day games or were they night
games? Night games?
So how are you loving the day atmosphere here?
I like the day atmosphere, the weather atmosphere is absolutely
brutal and. It feels awful.
(10:21):
If you're not wearing a hat or sunscreen, you might want to sit
towards the first base side because it is it's probably it
feels like temperature of 96. Degrees.
Right now it is not, but I know,I mean, we've had you on
multiple times before and I don't know if we've I don't know
the last time that we had you onwhere the Rays were compared to
where they are now. But like, how impressed are you
with what this team has become? Over the last month and a half,
(10:41):
yeah. I mean, I, I think we said on
the last podcast episode and even the one that you guys had
with Taylor and Jake and and we,we all said this team was
capable of playing a lot better baseball.
They're striking out a lot, a lot more guys.
I know one of the things last episode was they had I think it
was like 8 straight games with five or fewer strikeouts for the
staff. So they're putting guys away.
The offense has been unbelievable and it's from all
(11:01):
over the lineup. You're getting production from
Christopher Morell, Danny Jance has been pretty unbelievable the
last couple weeks and and TaylorWalls over his last 1520 games
has been hitting above 300. So you have the top five with
with you know, with Yandy B Lau,Andy Aranda, Josh Lowe, and you
get the production from guys like Jose Caballero and Taylor
Walls. This, this offense and this team
(11:22):
right now is clicking on all cylinders.
I talked with some of the guys earlier and I don't know, I
mean, they, they really didn't give like a full thing about how
they've kind of adjusted to it. But I, it seems like over time
they've really adjusted to what the stadium was compared to
where we knew it last year. Have you seen the same thing
from just how they've played in this stadium versus the first
(11:42):
month or so of the season? Yeah, I mean, this was like
almost a House of horrors to start the year.
This team, team really couldn't win at home.
But I mean, just really the offensive production at at home
has has been unbelievable. This team was down 8 nothing
against the Baltimore Orioles and I believe the first or
second inning and and came back and won the game and even last
night they put up 14 runs. This is something that a few
(12:02):
weeks ago this team was not doing at home and same thing on
the pitching side, just pitchingbetter at home and and just
hitting the crap out of the baseball at Steinbrenner Field.
Yeah, how are you enjoying the atmosphere here?
I think it's great. I know we talked a lot about,
you know, before the interview of how good the Trop was in, in
the postseason aspect. The regular season, not as much.
I still like the vibe. It's air conditioned and and the
(12:23):
food's great there as well, but I think George Steinbrenner
Field for a regular season game is simply incredible.
A lot closer to fans, just I. Think, I mean, we talked about
the outfit, you're like 15 feet away from the fence.
You can. Go out there and sit, sit there
for 20 bucks and it's just a very comfortable stadium.
And I think it's, you know, surprised a lot of people coming
(12:44):
in. If you have, you know, watched a
Rays game or, or came to a Rays game in person this year, you
kind of know what I'm talking about.
And the atmosphere here is, is unbelievable, really.
Yeah, I was going to say, I mean, like, it's it's wild.
I mean, we we all know that it'sa spring training venue.
But the fact that they've been able to transform it as they
have and really make it look nice.
I mean, it, it looks completely different than when it was, you
(13:04):
know, when it's got all the Yankees paraphernalia and going
100%, I mean. I I think me and you standing
here didn't really expect a 72 hour transformation.
You wouldn't even know that thiswas the Yankees spring training
facility. But I mean, it wasn't an
unbelievable job from the staff and the team being able to roll
out this this new model of of the raised ballpark with all the
(13:25):
stuff on it. But.
Just just a great atmosphere. And I, like I said, I think it
surprised a lot of people. And it's also great when the
team, it's been one of the best teams in baseball the last four
weeks. Yeah.
And then I, I've asked some other people this, and this is
the last thing I want to ask you, but sustainability of what
they've been doing right now. I, it seems like they're
producing runs in ways that aren't just homers, which is
definitely beneficial to them. But do you think that what
(13:47):
they've been doing over the lastmonth and 1/2 or so is
sustainable for the rest of the year?
Yeah, I mean probably, you know,not scoring, you know, coming
back from 8 nothing and scoring 14 runs in, in, you know, a
couple 10 plus run games. I think they were on a stretch
of I think it was 5 or 6 games they were scoring 8 plus runs.
So I think in terms of just playing, just playing small.
(14:08):
Ball. Being able to hit with runners
in scoring position, this was something that the team
struggled with so bad last year and it's something they haven't
really, you know, struggled withreally at all other than maybe
the first couple weeks. So and in the pitching staff,
the pitching staff is going to be unbelievable.
The bullpen kind of has his struggles early on in the year.
I think me and you know, by the end of the year, this is a top
10 bullpen and they're getting guys as the year comes back.
(14:31):
Austin came could could be readyanytime soon.
Richie Palacios is ready. I need Hosta on Kim, but I just
want to see him play in a razor 100% yeah, I mean the Hassan Kim
just anticipation is is pretty maxed out right now.
Shane Mclennan's coming back andand Chandler Simpson is still
hitting. I think about 340 since getting
sent back down to AAA. So as well as the team is
playing right now and you can also make an argument with the
(14:52):
reinforcements they're getting back.
This team could be even better. Yeah, All right.
Well, even thanks as always, man.
All right, we'll raise the roof here with Rays radio team Neil
Salons and Andy free. First off, how you guys doing?
I mean, the Rays just took a series against are they are they
considered the best team in baseball right now or what's the
record wise or what's going on? Yeah, they came into today as we
(15:15):
record this on this Saturday. What a game.
I think up on the Dodgers for best record in the game.
Rays may have caught the Tigers had a pretty good time, but that
being said, they're a very good team and the Rays have shown too
that the Rays also are a very good team.
Yeah, they've been a lot of goodteams lately.
I mean, you look at what they'vedone, you know, the way they
played against the Mets in New York, the way they've played
recently against the Yankees. You know, I think San Diego and
(15:37):
Arizona when they were out West early in the year recently
beating some very good teams this year.
And I think it's because they are becoming a very good team
themselves. Yeah.
It's, I mean, I've been really impressed with what I've seen.
Like is there something that youguys have have kind of witnessed
over the last month and 1/2 thatyou think has been a very
integral change in this team? I know a lot of people point
towards Joshua coming back into the lineup, but is there
(15:58):
anything that that you guys would point to as this is really
the turning point of this team and This is why?
May 20th, I mean, that's the date right now where everything
started to turn. The Rays have come back.
Joshua came back, as you mentioned on that Thursday in
Toronto. They won that series and felt
like, OK, this seems like they're playing somewhat better.
They pitched well in that series.
(16:18):
They hit well in that series. They went to Miami to take on
the Marlins, who are not a very good team.
And they played kind of listlessand lost two out of three, came
home and lost to Houston the first game.
And I remember thinking, this just looks a lot like last year.
And then, Neil, I'm curious yourthoughts, too, because
everything has gotten better. The starting pitching has gotten
better, the bullpens gotten better, the defense, the base
running, the power. They've stopped giving up as
(16:40):
many home runs. It's just like everything just
suddenly turned on. Even though the Miami series
didn't go his home, I still thought after winning series of
Milwaukee and Toronto that this team was closer to turning the
corner. The Miami series was certainly
disappointing. I would even go back one day
further than Andy didn't see. May 19, even though the wind
didn't start then the race were three runs down, if I remember,
(17:02):
came back to tie it and won four, three.
And then the next day they got over the hump after being down
multiple runs early. And, and I thought after that
they've been, they've done an amazing job of coming back in
games, but then they've also started to score first a lot
more in games and they've taken control of games and the line up
obviously is a big part of that.Yeah, the starting pitching, I
think, in my opinion, is really been an underrated part of this
(17:23):
team because you remember a couple years ago the Rays were
leading baseball in reliever innings pitch and it seems like
this year it's been a complete 180 from from that point.
I mean, like, how impressed haveyou guys been with what the Rays
have shown from the starting pitching side of things?
I'm impressed with the way it's improved.
There was a point around that time, I think, no, you were
(17:44):
saying that at the point the Rays had the like 23rd best or
maybe 7th from the bottom in terms of ERA from the starting
pitchers. That's totally changed around
and they've all started to go innings too.
So much so that even though ToshBradley has had three bad starts
in a row, they've been able to withstand that because everybody
else tends to go relatively deepinto the games.
(18:05):
The numbers on the starting pitchers are a little bit
misleading in terms of leading all the Major League Baseball
and innings pitch just because most teams don't lean on their
starters as much. And and beyond that, the Rays, I
think in some of those years where they were at the bottom in
innings pitch, they also were using an opener and the starting
pitcher who goes one inning counts as your the opener counts
as your starting pitcher. So it kind of it kind of
(18:26):
magnifies the innings. But that said, they become much
better at eating innings as a group.
They set the tone for the rest of the pitching staff and allow
Tampa Bay to protect their best relievers and not overuse them
to this point. Yeah.
And then the offense has been, it's been firing all cylinders.
It's not just home runs. Guys have been able to produce
double s in the gap, RBI, singles.
I mean, Taylor Walls is hitting what, like over 300 in his last,
(18:49):
like, 15 games. So it was like the last three
weeks of baseball. How has it been like watching
this offense evolve over the last, you know, 60 games or so?
It's it might be a little bit ofa stretch to say, but during the
13 game-winning streak in 2023, they started out the year that
everybody hot at the same time. That never happens.
Yeah, I kind of feel like we're seeing that right now.
(19:10):
I mean, even today, Morella, it's home run.
He's had a couple of big double s and runs batted in this week.
Walls is probably over a length,as you said, of time.
I think it's closer to like 35360 that he's sitting during
that time, which that has been amajor step forward.
And I think the production that the Rays are getting from the
6789 spots in the order is allowing the lineup to turn over
(19:31):
and getting RBI situations for their quote UN quote best
hitters Yandy Diaz and Brandon Law.
It's starting to turn over. And as you know, they can just
score just so many different ways.
And right now you also have yourtwo most veteran players playing
their best. Yandy Diaz and Brandon Law are
riding double digit hit streaks at this point in time.
And when those guys are going well, it takes all the pressure
off the bottom part of the orderbecause I think they feel OK,
(19:52):
these guys are going to produce.All I need to do is get on base.
And and I think the other thing that stands out is a group is
that this group strikes out a lot less than previous race
teams here in the the second game against the Tigers with
five strikeouts and eight runs scored.
And and I think when they struckout like 13 times against the
Orioles the last game of that set, that was the most they had
since an April game. So when you're going 2 months
(20:13):
between games like that. That that tells me that the
contact orator approach is really working.
Being seeing what has been goingon at Steinbrenner this season,
experiencing what it's been like, how would you guys
describe the atmosphere here andand what it's been like calling
games here compared to what the trap was like?
It's kind of nice to say that they've had 41 sellouts this
(20:35):
year, which is the case. It's not, you know, 25,000 and
25 as it was at traffic on a field.
It's 10,046. But I do think there is
something to that. The atmosphere generally has
been very, very good here this year.
And you know what it means. I don't know.
They've certainly turned it around.
They weren't playing well in front of those big crowds
earlier at home. They changed a lot of narratives
(20:57):
around. You know, they couldn't score
first. They couldn't hit in the clutch.
The starters weren't going to. All the narratives have changed.
Was it the short dimensions? Was it the weather?
Was it the wind? Nobody's talking about those
things anymore because every night we show up, it's a sold
out crowd and the Rays are winning the.
Games exactly. I do think that as the summer
has worn on or spring has turnedto summer, the race have played
(21:19):
much better overall, but they'vealso played much better at home.
And I think they've taken advantage of the conditions
here. The fact that I think teams wear
down in this heat, I really do. If you're only experiencing this
now, maybe in August, that won'tbe the case because teams will
be used to playing in hot weather.
But his teams came here in May and June when they hadn't
experienced hot weather. And they come here and they're
getting, you know, they're, it'sbaking here in the in the
(21:40):
daytime games. The race have been excellent in
those games especially, but really good overall at home.
Yeah, I got two more things for you guys.
The first thing is, how much funhas it been to watch?
This team this year. Especially during this run that
they've been on, going from where they were below 500 to now
being a bona fide playoff contender, A-Team that's
contending for an Ali's title. How much fun has it been to see
(22:02):
what this team has become? Well, I mean, our philosophy
here in the booth is it's alwaysgoing to be fun, whether win,
lose or whatever. I mean that that's been
established. We want to lead the league in
fun every year. It's a heck of a lot easier to
to have fun. When they win.
When they win, you know, last year there was the whole year
was played in this window between three games above 505,
(22:23):
games below 500. This year they've broken
through. This year for the first six
weeks, it felt a lot like last year.
There was no real traction. But I remember the years where
the Rays got good. You know, it might be around 500
and you hover there and you get 5 over and you hover there and
you get the 10 over. It's kind of what this team is
doing right now, right now. So in terms of fun, we're going
to have fun regardless because we love baseball so much and,
(22:46):
and broadcasting it to the fans.But boy, when they win
everything, every, everyone is in a much better mood than
working, you know, and, and honestly, you got to love
baseball to work in it, especially for I look at people
like the grounds crew and the people that work in the outside
area. We're looking out to have some
fans and some air. Conditioning.
Around us, but for everyone, thewhole organization talked about
(23:06):
them. When you're winning, Neil, you
know, and we've been in baseball, each of us 30 or so
years. When you win, everybody's just
having a better time. There's a little more hop in
your step for sure. I don't think there's any doubt,
and I echo Andy's thoughts, is that it should be fun every day
We're in baseball, You know, it's it's it should be fun every
time you step out. And and it is no matter whether
(23:27):
this team is winning or losing. I think it's been an enjoyable
team to watch because of how hard and how how they play the
game the right way. And they're doing this without
Hassan Kim yet, without Shane Mcclanahan, with Benny Rodriguez
on the injured list, without Richie Palacios most of the
season. I think they're going to get
better as the year goes on. I really do.
I think they can play maybe not 22 and 8 all the way through,
(23:48):
but I think they're going to be some stretches like this where
you're like, wow, this team is playing well again.
Yeah. And then the last thing I had is
because I've asked a couple of people about it, the
sustainability of what's been going on.
I know you kind of alluded to it, but like how sustainable is
what they're doing right now? Is this something that they can
replicate in some sort of a way moving forward, Whether, I mean,
I'm not saying you know what they're doing right now, but at
(24:09):
least continuously winning and being a contender, is that
something that is viable for this team?
I hope, I mean, no one knows that answer for sure.
I mean, I right now it's easy because they're riding a very
good wave and it feels like they're going to be like this
all day long. But if you follow baseball for
any length of time, you know that you're going to have high
peaks and low ebbs. I think of the 2023 team, they
(24:30):
said 113 in a row and there wereso many games about 500 and then
they went 8 and 16 in July. And then still we're able to
bounce back and win like 40 of the last 60.
So you're, you're going to be due for some low points at some
point. It's inevitable.
But as of right now, it sure feels like what?
Isn't that why we watch? Isn't that why we listen?
Isn't that why we come to games?Because you really, I don't
(24:50):
know, it's, it's reality entertainment because it happens
live right in front of us and unfolds right now.
It sure feels good. And a lot of it has to do with
health. You know, I mentioned some of
the injured players, but the race have gotten healthier.
I mean, getting Josh Lowe, as you alluded to, at the top has
mattered, you know. And I think by and large, the
starting pitching, knock on wood, has stayed fairly healthy
without Shane Mcclaney and the other guys have made their
(25:11):
start. So let's see how that continues.
Race have some other arms in thethe miners and Joe Boyle.
You know, I'm curious if he impacts what the race may do a
month from now. But in the meantime, let's enjoy
every moment, enjoy every win, and just see how it rolls.
And Alex, you're asking us hard thoughts, You're at the Raise
the Roof Network. I want to know your thoughts.
Do you feel like this is sustainable?
What do you guys think? I mean, in all reality, I mean,
(25:34):
what they've been doing right now has been amazing.
I've been really impressed by the starting pitching.
I always talk about Zach Letelleand what he's been able to do as
a five or four or five. I mean, he's been fantastic
seeing guys like Jake Maggot. I mean, I've been championing
him for a while. So I'm glad to see him playing
well. But you know, guys like him,
guys like Taylor Walls really stepping up recently.
Aranda's playing, you know, likean All Star starter, juniors
(25:58):
finally showing up. I mean, me and Bill, our both
Maryland guys. So I'm always pulling for him to
do well. But I'm impressed by what's been
going on. I hope it continues, but as you
said, who knows. Isn't that the fun of it?
Though, Yeah, I mean, hey, this has been a hell of a lot of fun
to watch. This team has been really good.
And if they they've been really good against teams that are also
(26:18):
really good. It's not like they've been
beating up on the trash teams, which they have but or I mean
the worst teams, but they've been beating up on teams that
are as good as them, if not better, And that's been the most
impressive thing by. Far to me, that's the fun of it.
To me baseball's like a summer long novel and every day you
turn another page and find out what happens.
I get this disappointed when I hear the national writers and
(26:42):
people that cover a baseball on a national level already talking
about the trading deadline. I'm not even thinking about the
trading. I'm sure the GM.
It's not even July yet. It's not even July yet.
Let's just kind of enjoy what's happening right now and when the
trading deadline comes, it'll come and we'll deal with that
then. But right now, this is 1 heck of
a wave. Yeah, let's keep riding the
wave. We're having a lot of fun.
All right. Well, Neil, Andy, thank you guys
so much. Appreciate it.
(27:03):
Our pleasure. Unique situation here with
everything going on, but wanted to get your thoughts about, you
know, you know, coming back to the area place that you played
for a couple years and and what it's been like with this unique
situation here. It's time runner.
Yeah, it's always great to be back in Tampa.
You know, it's been really, really good.
(27:24):
Just, you know, always feels like home.
People are so welcoming, welcoming they they always let
me know that they remember the years that we had here.
So it's always great to come back.
You know, obviously this situation is is is strange, you
know, seeing the the race play as time by the field, but but I
was pleasantly surprised. You know, I think that the guys
(27:45):
enjoy hitting here for sure. It's good hitters part.
So I think I would have enjoyed that.
But you know, I also understand the need to to you feel like
you're not a nomad, right? Actually have your your your own
home. So I know that's an issue that
that the race players would liketo see resolved.
Yeah. I mean, with, with everything
(28:05):
that they've done here, like howimpressed are you with how much
they've been able to transform this place into feeling as much,
you know, as home as possible? Yeah, it's impressive actually.
They they've, they've done a great job and I was able to
visit the guys over there in theclubhouse, you know, So I was
making my rounds and they're pleased obviously with the
facilities, but they're awesome.The gym, the training room, the
(28:25):
batting cages, all that stuff is, it's impressive.
So it makes the player experience a lot more enjoyable.
But you know, I understand now that the capacity of the
stadium, maybe they would like it to be bigger.
You just want to have a home of your own.
So. So it's it's bittersweet in a
sense, they taking advantage of the pros and at the same time
(28:48):
wishing that, you know, sooner rather than later, either they
can go back to the truck or a new stadium.
Will be built. Your impressions of this series,
again, you know the Rays have been streaking recently.
The Tigers still have the best record in baseball.
How do you feel like the two teams fared overall?
Well, I mean the the Rays are a great team.
I mean, their their capabilitiesand tools were in full display,
(29:12):
obviously extremely aggressive. They're able to put runs up on
the board in many different ways.
They run the bases very well. They steal bases.
Their pitching is you know that they've been known for that for
years. So I'm very impressed with with
what I saw this past weekend. But I think you know, this last,
(29:35):
I would say 30 days. It's not a fluke.
This is this is where the rays are.
And then the last thing I have for you is would you be
surprised to see these two teamsmatch up in October or
something? Like that, no, I definitely
wouldn't be surprised. I don't know these are two very
capable teams and it wouldn't surprise me all of the rays are
in the mix again. You know, I, I, I told you
(29:55):
earlier, man, I'm, I'm, I'm proud of, to have been part of
laying a foundation here. And, you know, when we went to
the World Series and kind of like change of culture.
And ever since then, you know, this organization, this
franchise has been a winning franchise.
And I feel very much part of that, even if it's just, you
know, laying those the brakes inthe foundation, you know, So
(30:17):
trust me, I'm always following. Yeah.
All right, raise the roof here with someone that you guys have
heard on the podcast, in the podcast couple times, Tricia
Whitaker, former Rays field reporter for I guess then Fox,
Fox Sports, Simon, it was. Fox, it was.
Valley, it was FanDuel, it was alot of things.
(30:38):
Yeah, but Tricia is back. Tricia, first of all, how you
doing? I'm.
Wonderful. I'm so happy to be back with the
Rays today. So many fun memories.
They got to say hi to everybody and I'm really happy to see them
doing so well over the stretch. Yeah.
So is this your first time seeing them in any sort of
capacity since kind of moving it?
Is it is the first time we haven't had them on Apple TV
yet, but we probably, I would imagine we would in the
(31:00):
second-half because of how good they're doing.
Yeah, they're playing. Really.
Well, but yeah, this is the first time I've seen them since
last season. Yeah.
How impressed have you been withwhat they've been able to do
over the last month, month and 1/2?
Very impressed considering the way that they started the
season. I mean, they were well under 500
at the beginning of the season. Through that first chunk and the
last 30-4 games, they've been the hottest team in baseball.
You look at their rotation and it doesn't.
(31:22):
I mean, I've covered the race for six years.
I don't ever remember a time where they use this few
pitchers, right. You have such a solid.
Body. Health has been on their side
and the bats are starting to come alive here and that's been
really cool to see. Junior Caminero and Jonathan
Aranda, I remember covering themin their Major League debuts and
seeing what they're doing now isjust incredible.
(31:42):
Yeah, the pitching side of things, how impressive you, as
you mentioned, not a lot of pitching being used, but at the
same time the pitching that has been used, I mean they're one of
the in baseball and in innings pitched and quality starts,
everything of that. Absolutely.
I think the only other team thathas used fewer pitchers in the
Rays this season is the Angels. And I would never have believed
you if you told me that because when I was here, it was like
(32:03):
opener and whole fan and book days and all sorts of stuff.
But they have had health on their side, and I don't want to
jinx anything, but that's been key for them.
Seeing what Ryan Pepeo has done makes me so happy for him, too.
He's from Indiana and so am I. So, you know, he's kind of my
guy. I'll support Ryan Pepeo to the
end of his career just because of our Indiana roots.
But but yeah, it's been wild. And, you know, behind it, of
(32:25):
course, is the mastermind of allmasterminds, and that's Kyle
Snyder. So it's been amazing to see what
that rotation has done. And even more impressive that
they haven't had shame the entire year.
I know and he's coming back soon.
He through to and well, not soonI guess, but at.
Soon enough point. Yes, soon.
Enough, and I can't imagine how filthy that rotation is gonna be
with Shane back in. The cold, yeah.
(32:46):
And I mean guys like Zach Littell, I've been singing his
praises recently of just how good he's been.
But on the offensive side of things, as you mentioned, Junior
Aranda Bilao has been healthy the entire year and has been
performing. How impressive you been with the
offense? Well, listen, Brandon Lau, I've
covered him since the beginning of his career with the Rays and
he when he is healthy, he's one of the absolute best hitters in
(33:08):
the game. It's unbelievable.
You look at a guy like, you know, we talk about his size all
the time. You're like, I didn't get so
much power behind the ball. That's unbelievable.
But it's been really cool to seewhat he's done healthy.
You talk about Junior Caminero, those electric quick hands, you
talk about Jonathan Aranda, you're finally seeing him become
the player that the Rays always knew that he could become with a
regular chance at all of the at bats in the playing time that
(33:30):
he's getting. Junior is just that spark plug
and I know that he wants nothingmore than to be an All Star and
I hope he gets it. Yeah, two more things.
First thing, as you mentioned, Imentioned, you know, a lot of
fond memories being here and seeing, you know, a lot of guys
that you've been covering over the last couple years.
How cool has that been? It's been amazing.
I sat there and talked to Pete Fairbanks for like 10 minutes.
And I mean, Ryan Pepio's starting today.
And even Pepio came over. He's like, hi, Trish.
(33:51):
And I'm like, you're starting. You're not supposed to talk to
me. He's I just, I'm just saying hi.
And I'm like, I know I want to say hi too, but like we can't
talk. But like that was really fun and
Josh Lowe, it was so fun to see Josh.
It was good to see Brandon Lau, good to see Taylor Walls.
It just all those guys were so good to me when I was here.
They're really what made the jobso fun.
They're what they are the ones that allowed me to tell their
(34:14):
stories and gave me access to their lives.
I mean, I got to know some of their families at a very deep
personal level. I'm friends with Pete Fairbanks,
his aunts, and it's and you know, it's just like what?
So it's just it's, it's that's my favorite part of what I did
the last six years is build those relationships.
And then the last thing Would you be surprised to see this
team in October play meaningful games in the postseason?
(34:35):
Not a chance would I be surprised.
Now, I will say, please don't make it the same story that
we've seen, you know, time and time again the last six seasons.
In 2020, of course, they had a sustained run.
But the rest of the time they flamed out at the end of the
season and in the postseason. And I just, I hope that with
this rotation and the help they have on their side, then, you
know, maybe we will see the Raysfinally make a deep postseason
(34:58):
run for the first time since 2020.
Razor Roof here with a multi time guest of the podcast,
someone that we haven't had on alittle bit, but Ryan Bass raised
be raised field reporter, side live reporter.
Call me whatever you want, man. Man of many hats.
Yeah, Razor Porter for FanDuel Sports Network Sun slash Florida
(35:20):
slash. I don't know what it is now, but
we'll get through it. Ryan, how you been?
I'm good, dude, man. It's how much fun has this been?
end of May, end of June. It's been so much fun covering
this team, being around the Rays.
I know a lot of fans are enjoying watching them too.
I wish the weather would cooperate.
We get a little bit more cloud cover here in Baltimore, but
look at the Razor. As hot as the temps outside,
(35:40):
which is certainly a good thing.Yeah, your impressions of
yesterday's news, pacifically atRondas Homer.
I've been to probably like at least a dozen games here, if not
more. Never seen a ball hit that far.
I mean, they were joking on the broadcast yesterday.
He he hit it to the boobs BBQ sign, which is basically, you
know, I would say what right center field and that it was the
baseball was used basically as ameat tenderizer with how much he
(36:02):
he crushed that baseball. That was a nice phrase that
Dwayne coined up there in the booth.
But now that that that was such a majestic shot, right, the
third longest home run by a Ray in the stack cast era that dates
back to 2015. I think it just speaks to it
even adds even more to the All Star resume that we see for
Jonathan Aranda, how consistent of a hitter he's been.
Look, he has that kind of power and has that kind of pop, right.
(36:23):
What I think has been most impressive with his game this
year is he's he's using every single part of the field.
It's not like he's just pulling the ball and he, you know, it's
not, it's not like he's just slapping the ball the other way,
right. He, he really does take whatever
the pitch is from, you know, theopposing pitcher and he's able
to manipulate his swing to be able to put, you know, put a
good swing on it. So it was impressive.
It was a majestic shot, but it'sone of the, the very many things
(36:45):
that Jonathan Aranda has done this year.
That's that's been impressive and should get him to Atlanta
for the All Star game. Now, are you surprised that any
Rays guy didn't didn't make it into phase two?
Because I mean, the race had multiple guys who were more than
deserving of of at least making it to be a finalist, let alone.
Surprise, no. I mean, you know, Matt Joyce was
just talking about it on our pregame show and he he was an
All Star in 2011. He didn't get voted in, but then
(37:07):
ended up being selected, you know, by the players and the
coaches to get in. And I think that's just that's
life as as the Tampa Bay Ray right now.
You know, Junior Caminero, I think has a little bit of that
star power. Chandler Simpson, I think does
too, you know, and I do think Junior is of those two,
certainly deserving to go to Atlanta.
I think the Rays are going to have multiple All Stars and it's
all said and done. I think Jonathan Aron is a lock.
I think Junior is going to get in.
(37:28):
I I hope that he's a fixture in the Home Run Derby as well.
I think that Brandon should get in Brandon.
Brown definitely deserves that. He's got the best numbers of any
second baseman in baseball, let alone the American League.
And then on the pitching side, Drew Rasmussen and Ryan Pepeo
both deserve to be in Atlanta. So I really hope the Rays are
well represented. I think they will be, but
especially if I had, if I had tomake a bet on the hitting side,
you'll certainly see three Rays and I think it's a safe bet that
(37:50):
Drew Rasmussen is there, Jonathan Aranda is there, and I
think that Junior Caminera will be as well.
It's been fun watching Brandon this series.
I know as a Maryland grad, him being a Maryland guy too, I
think he relishes being in this environment.
But looking at the last month and 1/2 or so, what's been the
most surprising thing that you've seen about this team?
Surprising is the way the offense continues to to, you
(38:11):
know, to click And I think in the multitude of ways in which
they're doing so right. I mean, look, we we know coming
into this year that the Rays were going to, you know, they
were going to pride themselves on pitching and defense, right?
And we've seen both of those twothings, you know, be consistent
all year long. The offense, though, that was
the question. Could they could they look a
little bit more like we saw in 2023?
Or was it going to be last year where they struggled to bring
runners home in scoring position?
(38:32):
This year, they've been the bestteam in baseball and driving
runners in. And I think that has been the
most surprising thing is the waythat they have consistently been
able to score runs and the different ways that they're
doing so. And it's not just the long ball.
You look at the series in KansasCity, right?
We start off that series with a Danny Jensen home run.
OK, There's the long ball. The second game in that series,
they have 11 singles and they win that game 3.
Nothing, right, By some small ball in the infield, scored
(38:54):
three runs with, you know, two hits that didn't even leave the
infield. And then, you know, you saw what
happened in that final game of the series.
They had two homers, you know, 2double s, 2 triples, a number of
singles, an extra base hits. So, you know, this team I think
is, is so well equipped to do damage offensively in a
multitude of ways. And whether it's Aranda hitting
a 400 and near 70, you know, foot bomb, or it's two SAC flies
(39:14):
from Taylor Walls to bring Chandler Simpson home.
That to me I think is what's most impressive is they can beat
you in so many ways. And they this isn't just a
fluke. I mean, they've been doing this
consistently now, you know, for seven or eight weeks.
Yeah, I think it's been, I thinkthe most thing has been
impressive, at least to me, has been a small ball.
I mean, we saw it yesterday withChandler, two different plays
where he was able to go 1st to 3rd and Havoc.
(39:35):
You know, Bunting has been really impressive recently.
You you mentioned the SAC flies.Like can you talk more about, at
least from your perspective, what you've seen from the small
ball side of things with? This Yeah.
I mean, look, they're embracing,you know, Bunning this year,
which is certainly a philosophical change from, you
know, manager Kevin Cash and, you know, Chad Mottola and this
staff, you know, in years past, they kind of abandoned the bunt
right now. You see guys, Danny Jensen drop
(39:58):
one down the other day, right? I mean, you're, you know, Taylor
Walls, Jose Caballero, Chandler Simpson, Jake Mangum, right,
They've they've really embraced the ability to look, just put
the ball in play, right. Like, you know, that's the I was
just doing a pregame hit for, you know, FanDuel Sports Network
on Mangum and and the the pressure he puts on opposing
defenses, which is similar to Chandler, just put the ball in
play. And I think the Rays are doing a
(40:18):
really good job. Not just producing runs, but
manufacturing runs and then driving runners home, you know,
when they're in scoring position.
That has been, to me, the biggest key to their success,
the biggest surprise so far thisseason.
And embracing that, I think it'sbeen a good thing.
And you know, look, it's it's made, it's it's given the raise
this element of unpredictabilityfor opposing teams, right?
(40:39):
You, I mean, look, you can have Jonathan Aranda hit it 470 feet
or you can have, you know, DannyJensen drop down and hit a bunt,
you know, to the right side and get a guy home from 3rd.
So I think that that unpredictability has been, you
know, a really big key to their success.
And then the last thing I have for you is I know I've talked to
a lot of people about sustainability, but legitimately
from this 6-7 week run, is this a team that that deserves to
(41:01):
play meaningful baseball in? September and I do.
I mean, they're, they're playoffchances were 11% according to
fan graphs in May. They're at they're north of 75%
now. Yeah.
This is a team that's going to be playing in October, I
believe. I mean, I, you know, they win
today. The Yankees lose.
They they take sole possession of first place in the American
League for the first time since early April and for the first
time this late in the season since 2023.
(41:22):
So, you know, look, I believe inthis team.
I think they've got all the components.
I, you know, I think every team in the American League should
be, should be really scared of araised team that could do damage
in so many ways. And with a pitching staff that's
still missing their ace and Shane McClain Flanahan, who we
should hopefully see continuous progression this upcoming week.
Hassan Kim could return to the Rays on the road trip when we
embark for Minnesota, Detroit and Boston before the break.
(41:45):
So he's going to be back soon, Biggie.
Hopefully, I think he isn't backto doing anything yet.
But yeah, I mean, you know, man,Manuel Rodriguez is still, you
know, on the Angel list. So they've got so many key
pieces that are going to come back.
You're going to get addition just by guys coming, becoming
healthy after the All Star break.
So I'm really excited to see what this team can do.
(42:05):
I'm really high on their chances.
The key is once you get in the postseason, can they replicate
it, right? 23's team was so good
offensively, couldn't hit in thepostseason.
However, this team, I think withthe way they can do damage, it's
a much different dynamic than what we saw just a couple of
years ago. And we're back on this latest
episode of Raise the Roof. A big thank you to everyone that
(42:27):
we talked to both down in Tampa and up in Baltimore for the last
couple weeks. We sincerely appreciate everyone
from players to those who work for the Rays too, media
personalities, those who write about the team, everyone in
between. We sincerely appreciate all of
you guys for being willing to talk with us.
Sincerely thank you for allowingus to be part of this community
(42:49):
as much as we are. Once again, a big thanks to the
race for helping us facilitate alot of these interviews and get
things going down in Tampa. A big thank you to everyone who
we met over the last couple weeks, both in Tampa and in
Baltimore. We love talking with you guys.
We love giving you guys some free gifts and freebies on the
way. We do have some more giveaways
coming up soon, so be sure to follow us on social media.
(43:11):
It's at Raise the Roof, TB and all of our social media
platforms to check those things out.
Stay tuned for what we have coming up and this is far from
the end. We have plenty more stuff coming
for you guys. We have hopefully some player
and more player interviews coming out, more media, more fun
segments, more everything like that coming up.
So be sure to follow the podcast.
(43:32):
We should have followed everything that we have going on
as we get closer and closer to the All Star break.
If you guys again, don't follow us on social media, it's at
Raise the Roof TV that's on Twitter slash X Instagram Blue
sky, our YouTube channel has raised the roof continued to
support us there because we're getting close to 250
subscribers. Hopefully we'll get to, I mean,
(43:52):
my goal would be 1000 by the endof the year, but hopefully we
continue to build it up. So big thanks to you guys there.
Our podcast continue to support us as you guys have been.
Be sure to like, be sure to subscribe.
Be sure to leave us a review, hopefully a five star review.
Share this with your family or friends, anyone who knows who's
a race fan or a baseball fan that wants to add a podcast into
their podcast feed. We would love to be part of it.
And one final shout out to our sponsors, C geek in the Clutch
(44:17):
and JKS Prince. Be sure to use code raise the
roof and all caps to check out at all three of those websites
to get yourself some tickets, get yourself some merch, help us
out in the process, get you guyssome cool stuff too.
So with all that being said, thanks so much for listening and
as always, raise up.
It's time to raise the room for our latest regular season
episode. Welcome back everyone to this
latest episode of the pod. I'm host Alex RV and today we
have our second part of our podcast series type thing that
we did when we were down in Tampa.
We also have since included a couple interviews.
That we got when we were in. Baltimore because I was able to
(00:32):
go to all three games of the Rays O series.
Unfortunately, not a great series for the Rays.
They ended up losing two of three to the Orioles.
It seems like the Orioles are a pain, a thorn in the Rays side
recently. And then the Rays just lost on
Monday night against the Athletics to begin their
three-game homestand before the Rays go on the road for a pretty
(00:53):
lengthy road trip before the AllStar Break.
So, well, First off, if you guyshaven't gotten a chance to get
out to Steinbrenner Field beforethe All Star break, you only got
2. One more game, two more games to
do it in terms of this athletic series.
So be sure to get your tickets, get out to the ballpark and
support the raise. As I mentioned previously, we
have plenty of interviews comingyour way In this episode.
(01:16):
We talked with Steve Kinsella, multi time podcast guest of ours
from Sports Talk Florida. We talked with our friend Ethan
AKA Running from the OPS for oneof the games.
We talked with both Andy Fried and Neil Solans from Rays Radio.
We talked with Carlos Pena, former Rays slugger, still the
all time single season home run leader for the Rays, current
(01:38):
both TV and radio analyst for the Detroit Tigers.
And when we were in Baltimore, we got a chance to talk with
former Ray's sideline slash field reporter, Tricia Whitaker,
who is now solely with Apple TV plus doing their Friday night
baseball broadcast And also friend of the podcast, multi
time guest of the podcast, Ryan Bass, current Ray's sideline
(01:59):
reporter for FanDuel Sports Network Florida.
So be sure to enjoy all of thoseinterviews.
Like I said, we had plenty in this episode.
So we hope you enjoy. Before we go into the
interviews, though, we want to run our C Geek out.
If you guys haven't used C Geek,use code Raise the Roof at
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sponsoring us, and let's get back to this latest episode of
Raise the Roof. Well, raise the roof here with
Steve Kinsella, multi time guestof of the podcast Sports Talk,
Florida Ray's reporter and sorts.
Steve, it's been a bit, but how you doing?
(03:27):
Doing good. Nice and cool up here.
Very hot walking over here. You tell me.
Wanted to get your thoughts about what you've been seeing
from this team over the last month and a half, because it
seems like, I mean, it's been a dramatic shift from from where
things were when they were, what, like 21 and 26 to where
they are right now. Yeah, You know, sometimes it's
it takes a while for a team to become a team.
(03:48):
You know, baseball's still a team sport, you know?
You know, Robert De Niro in the movie about individuality, you
know, but it's still a team sport and they're firing all
cylinders. You know, they're stealing bases
or hitting home runs or hitting with runners in scoring
position. They're making the key plays in
the field. They're basically playing a
complete style of baseball From the little things that we see
(04:10):
early in the game, you get a pitcher of high pitched count,
not locked in yet. The razor making them pay.
We saw it last night with the Flaherty.
We've seen it a number of times where a veteran pitchers on the
mound, Zaka early on doesn't have it.
The Razor making them pay. Yeah.
So it's it's, it's all, it's allclicking, which is nice.
Yeah. Have you?
(04:30):
Like, is this something that youexpected from this team at some
point coming into this season? I remember being a little bit
upset at Eric Neander in spring training at our, at our initial
pressure and he said, you know that.
Then the he, he made a comment that he said was going to upset
some people. But he said what we feel about
this team, what we did in the offseason is that we can, if we
(04:52):
can have even a league average offense, which he believes we
have built, we're going to be a good team.
And I think he undersold a little bit of the offense
because it's a little bit betterthan league average.
But now I can I kind of see whathis vision was coming out of
spring training. You know, the the pitching staff
is going to keep you in many games.
And if you can just get a score some runs, you're going to win a
(05:15):
lot of games. And you can see what they're
doing. They're scoring runs and they're
you know, you give them a lead late in the game.
I know the bullpen gets a lot ofgrief, you know, for some of the
games that they've had, but you look at their record when
leading after six, leading after7, leading after 8, it's
fantastic. You know, even leading after
five, they have a fantastic record.
So, and some of that has to do with the offense adding on runs,
(05:37):
insurance runs and stuff like that and having big leads.
But overall it's I can see what Neander meant by league average
offense and what else we had. I'm not going to lie, I think
one of the things I'm most impressed with has been starting
pitching because this is I mean,you you remember a couple years
ago this was a team that was like leading Major League
Baseball and relief innings pitched.
And now they're among the leagueleaders in in starting pitching
(05:58):
innings pitched. And they've been getting quality
starts out of guys. And I keep raving about Zach
Latell, but he's been very consistent this season.
I know, you know, the home runs is kind of crazy.
He's only what is it? He's giving up like 20 something
homers and like 18 of them are are souls or whatever it is.
But like they're getting qualityand consistent starts out of the
guys who are starting the game and then the bullpens not being
(06:19):
as taxed as it's been improved each.
Year Now, one thing that I, I, Iused to bring up to people about
the bullpen numbers, you got to be careful when you when you
look at the numbers in the bullpen in the innings pitch.
Last year, Tyler Alexander had 101 innings for this team,
around 100 will call it. I don't want to say 101 to be
rough, but it's around 100 innings.
(06:40):
Most of that came out of the bowl thing.
Yeah. But he wasn't a reliever.
Yeah. I mean, a couple years ago they
had Ryan Yarbrough. Yarbrough in that role.
You know, they always seem to have that guy that would go in
there and eat the innings or Asmar Ramirez, you know, for a
bit. You know, whoever it was that
was coming in and doing 3-4 innings stands and the the
opener and bullpen day is going to use sparingly.
(07:01):
And to your point, the starting pitching is really, you know,
going 5-6 innings repeatedly. It's kind of a refreshing thing
to see having a pitcher go 5 or 6 innings every single night.
You know, one thing that I, I will tell you that's even more
remarkable about the bullpen innings being the fewest in
baseball is the Rays have playedan inordinate number of home
(07:25):
games. When you play at home, you have
to pitch 9 innings. You don't get a breather.
OK, if you go extra innings, yougot to go more.
So when you go on the road and you lose, you save an inning
unless you go into extra innings.
Your ways have done twice. And darn it, the Rays are
winning on the road, meaning they're also pitching 9 innings.
So for the Rays to have that suite of home games plus Rd.
(07:48):
Victories plus extra innings, Games on the road.
You Add all that up and have thefewest innings pitched out of a
Boardman that even has more power to how good the starting
rotation's been and giving you innings.
Yeah. And then the last thing I had is
sustainability, because again, this is, you know, what they've
been able to do over the last month and 1/2 has been really
impressive. But realistically, how
(08:08):
sustainable is this for the restof the year?
Well, if the Rays are doing whatthey did in 2017, which was hit
a bunch of homewards, that scares the heck out of me.
When you're a team that hits a bunch of homewards you're
heading for. And we see with Toronto Blue
Jays when they had Donaldson, Batista and.
The twins a couple years ago. Twins.
With the bomb squad and you see the Yankees many times you stop
(08:29):
hitting home runs old enough. This team generates runs through
still stealing getting on base. They're not a high slugging low
on base team and when they do get on base, they they know how
to run the bases. So sustainable, yes, especially
when you consider they'll be playing a lot of games in this
car for the ball does fly. You know, if if you notice the
(08:52):
the ground around the infield gets very fast as well.
I'm sure you've seen a lot of ground balls that have been high
choppers that have been difficult for the infield.
And you also see a lot of groundballs that you think to
yourself, off the bat, that's anout.
And it gets right through. Yeah.
Oh, 110 miles an hour off the bat.
Yeah. But boy, did it scoot through.
Yeah, You know, it had no slow down.
I was going to say meat. Meat had a couple of those last
(09:13):
night. He had a couple of those that
snuck through the left side of the infield.
And I just hope that fans realize it's going to it's going
to help you on offense. It's also going to make your
pitchers look at home runs and hits and stuff like that,
because this is a this this parkis starting to play fast on the
ground and light in the air. So sustainable.
Yes, I think very much so. All right, well.
Steve, thanks as always, man. Appreciate it.
(09:38):
All right, well, raise the roof here with someone who we've had
on multiple times, Ethan from running from the OPS.
Of course we find ways to meet up with people at games, but how
you doing man? Doing good and pleasure to to be
out here and I mean what what itstarts in the game already 404
runs in the first and well, it is this sweltering hot day that
the Rays are playing some some fantastic baseball.
(09:59):
Is this your first time It's time runner this year?
This is my third. I went to one of the Angels
games and I went to a Twins game.
Did you were all of the games day games or were they night
games? Night games?
So how are you loving the day atmosphere here?
I like the day atmosphere, the weather atmosphere is absolutely
brutal and. It feels awful.
(10:21):
If you're not wearing a hat or sunscreen, you might want to sit
towards the first base side because it is it's probably it
feels like temperature of 96. Degrees.
Right now it is not, but I know,I mean, we've had you on
multiple times before and I don't know if we've I don't know
the last time that we had you onwhere the Rays were compared to
where they are now. But like, how impressed are you
with what this team has become? Over the last month and a half,
(10:41):
yeah. I mean, I, I think we said on
the last podcast episode and even the one that you guys had
with Taylor and Jake and and we,we all said this team was
capable of playing a lot better baseball.
They're striking out a lot, a lot more guys.
I know one of the things last episode was they had I think it
was like 8 straight games with five or fewer strikeouts for the
staff. So they're putting guys away.
The offense has been unbelievable and it's from all
(11:01):
over the lineup. You're getting production from
Christopher Morell, Danny Jance has been pretty unbelievable the
last couple weeks and and TaylorWalls over his last 1520 games
has been hitting above 300. So you have the top five with
with you know, with Yandy B Lau,Andy Aranda, Josh Lowe, and you
get the production from guys like Jose Caballero and Taylor
Walls. This, this offense and this team
(11:22):
right now is clicking on all cylinders.
I talked with some of the guys earlier and I don't know, I
mean, they, they really didn't give like a full thing about how
they've kind of adjusted to it. But I, it seems like over time
they've really adjusted to what the stadium was compared to
where we knew it last year. Have you seen the same thing
from just how they've played in this stadium versus the first
(11:42):
month or so of the season? Yeah, I mean, this was like
almost a House of horrors to start the year.
This team, team really couldn't win at home.
But I mean, just really the offensive production at at home
has has been unbelievable. This team was down 8 nothing
against the Baltimore Orioles and I believe the first or
second inning and and came back and won the game and even last
night they put up 14 runs. This is something that a few
(12:02):
weeks ago this team was not doing at home and same thing on
the pitching side, just pitchingbetter at home and and just
hitting the crap out of the baseball at Steinbrenner Field.
Yeah, how are you enjoying the atmosphere here?
I think it's great. I know we talked a lot about,
you know, before the interview of how good the Trop was in, in
the postseason aspect. The regular season, not as much.
I still like the vibe. It's air conditioned and and the
(12:23):
food's great there as well, but I think George Steinbrenner
Field for a regular season game is simply incredible.
A lot closer to fans, just I. Think, I mean, we talked about
the outfit, you're like 15 feet away from the fence.
You can. Go out there and sit, sit there
for 20 bucks and it's just a very comfortable stadium.
And I think it's, you know, surprised a lot of people coming
(12:44):
in. If you have, you know, watched a
Rays game or, or came to a Rays game in person this year, you
kind of know what I'm talking about.
And the atmosphere here is, is unbelievable, really.
Yeah, I was going to say, I mean, like, it's it's wild.
I mean, we we all know that it'sa spring training venue.
But the fact that they've been able to transform it as they
have and really make it look nice.
I mean, it, it looks completely different than when it was, you
(13:04):
know, when it's got all the Yankees paraphernalia and going
100%, I mean. I I think me and you standing
here didn't really expect a 72 hour transformation.
You wouldn't even know that thiswas the Yankees spring training
facility. But I mean, it wasn't an
unbelievable job from the staff and the team being able to roll
out this this new model of of the raised ballpark with all the
(13:25):
stuff on it. But.
Just just a great atmosphere. And I, like I said, I think it
surprised a lot of people. And it's also great when the
team, it's been one of the best teams in baseball the last four
weeks. Yeah.
And then I, I've asked some other people this, and this is
the last thing I want to ask you, but sustainability of what
they've been doing right now. I, it seems like they're
producing runs in ways that aren't just homers, which is
definitely beneficial to them. But do you think that what
(13:47):
they've been doing over the lastmonth and 1/2 or so is
sustainable for the rest of the year?
Yeah, I mean probably, you know,not scoring, you know, coming
back from 8 nothing and scoring 14 runs in, in, you know, a
couple 10 plus run games. I think they were on a stretch
of I think it was 5 or 6 games they were scoring 8 plus runs.
So I think in terms of just playing, just playing small.
(14:08):
Ball. Being able to hit with runners
in scoring position, this was something that the team
struggled with so bad last year and it's something they haven't
really, you know, struggled withreally at all other than maybe
the first couple weeks. So and in the pitching staff,
the pitching staff is going to be unbelievable.
The bullpen kind of has his struggles early on in the year.
I think me and you know, by the end of the year, this is a top
10 bullpen and they're getting guys as the year comes back.
(14:31):
Austin came could could be readyanytime soon.
Richie Palacios is ready. I need Hosta on Kim, but I just
want to see him play in a razor 100% yeah, I mean the Hassan Kim
just anticipation is is pretty maxed out right now.
Shane Mclennan's coming back andand Chandler Simpson is still
hitting. I think about 340 since getting
sent back down to AAA. So as well as the team is
playing right now and you can also make an argument with the
(14:52):
reinforcements they're getting back.
This team could be even better. Yeah, All right.
Well, even thanks as always, man.
All right, we'll raise the roof here with Rays radio team Neil
Salons and Andy free. First off, how you guys doing?
I mean, the Rays just took a series against are they are they
considered the best team in baseball right now or what's the
record wise or what's going on? Yeah, they came into today as we
(15:15):
record this on this Saturday. What a game.
I think up on the Dodgers for best record in the game.
Rays may have caught the Tigers had a pretty good time, but that
being said, they're a very good team and the Rays have shown too
that the Rays also are a very good team.
Yeah, they've been a lot of goodteams lately.
I mean, you look at what they'vedone, you know, the way they
played against the Mets in New York, the way they've played
recently against the Yankees. You know, I think San Diego and
(15:37):
Arizona when they were out West early in the year recently
beating some very good teams this year.
And I think it's because they are becoming a very good team
themselves. Yeah.
It's, I mean, I've been really impressed with what I've seen.
Like is there something that youguys have have kind of witnessed
over the last month and 1/2 thatyou think has been a very
integral change in this team? I know a lot of people point
towards Joshua coming back into the lineup, but is there
(15:58):
anything that that you guys would point to as this is really
the turning point of this team and This is why?
May 20th, I mean, that's the date right now where everything
started to turn. The Rays have come back.
Joshua came back, as you mentioned on that Thursday in
Toronto. They won that series and felt
like, OK, this seems like they're playing somewhat better.
They pitched well in that series.
(16:18):
They hit well in that series. They went to Miami to take on
the Marlins, who are not a very good team.
And they played kind of listlessand lost two out of three, came
home and lost to Houston the first game.
And I remember thinking, this just looks a lot like last year.
And then, Neil, I'm curious yourthoughts, too, because
everything has gotten better. The starting pitching has gotten
better, the bullpens gotten better, the defense, the base
running, the power. They've stopped giving up as
(16:40):
many home runs. It's just like everything just
suddenly turned on. Even though the Miami series
didn't go his home, I still thought after winning series of
Milwaukee and Toronto that this team was closer to turning the
corner. The Miami series was certainly
disappointing. I would even go back one day
further than Andy didn't see. May 19, even though the wind
didn't start then the race were three runs down, if I remember,
(17:02):
came back to tie it and won four, three.
And then the next day they got over the hump after being down
multiple runs early. And, and I thought after that
they've been, they've done an amazing job of coming back in
games, but then they've also started to score first a lot
more in games and they've taken control of games and the line up
obviously is a big part of that.Yeah, the starting pitching, I
think, in my opinion, is really been an underrated part of this
(17:23):
team because you remember a couple years ago the Rays were
leading baseball in reliever innings pitch and it seems like
this year it's been a complete 180 from from that point.
I mean, like, how impressed haveyou guys been with what the Rays
have shown from the starting pitching side of things?
I'm impressed with the way it's improved.
There was a point around that time, I think, no, you were
(17:44):
saying that at the point the Rays had the like 23rd best or
maybe 7th from the bottom in terms of ERA from the starting
pitchers. That's totally changed around
and they've all started to go innings too.
So much so that even though ToshBradley has had three bad starts
in a row, they've been able to withstand that because everybody
else tends to go relatively deepinto the games.
(18:05):
The numbers on the starting pitchers are a little bit
misleading in terms of leading all the Major League Baseball
and innings pitch just because most teams don't lean on their
starters as much. And and beyond that, the Rays, I
think in some of those years where they were at the bottom in
innings pitch, they also were using an opener and the starting
pitcher who goes one inning counts as your the opener counts
as your starting pitcher. So it kind of it kind of
(18:26):
magnifies the innings. But that said, they become much
better at eating innings as a group.
They set the tone for the rest of the pitching staff and allow
Tampa Bay to protect their best relievers and not overuse them
to this point. Yeah.
And then the offense has been, it's been firing all cylinders.
It's not just home runs. Guys have been able to produce
double s in the gap, RBI, singles.
I mean, Taylor Walls is hitting what, like over 300 in his last,
(18:49):
like, 15 games. So it was like the last three
weeks of baseball. How has it been like watching
this offense evolve over the last, you know, 60 games or so?
It's it might be a little bit ofa stretch to say, but during the
13 game-winning streak in 2023, they started out the year that
everybody hot at the same time. That never happens.
Yeah, I kind of feel like we're seeing that right now.
(19:10):
I mean, even today, Morella, it's home run.
He's had a couple of big double s and runs batted in this week.
Walls is probably over a length,as you said, of time.
I think it's closer to like 35360 that he's sitting during
that time, which that has been amajor step forward.
And I think the production that the Rays are getting from the
6789 spots in the order is allowing the lineup to turn over
(19:31):
and getting RBI situations for their quote UN quote best
hitters Yandy Diaz and Brandon Law.
It's starting to turn over. And as you know, they can just
score just so many different ways.
And right now you also have yourtwo most veteran players playing
their best. Yandy Diaz and Brandon Law are
riding double digit hit streaks at this point in time.
And when those guys are going well, it takes all the pressure
off the bottom part of the orderbecause I think they feel OK,
(19:52):
these guys are going to produce.All I need to do is get on base.
And and I think the other thing that stands out is a group is
that this group strikes out a lot less than previous race
teams here in the the second game against the Tigers with
five strikeouts and eight runs scored.
And and I think when they struckout like 13 times against the
Orioles the last game of that set, that was the most they had
since an April game. So when you're going 2 months
(20:13):
between games like that. That that tells me that the
contact orator approach is really working.
Being seeing what has been goingon at Steinbrenner this season,
experiencing what it's been like, how would you guys
describe the atmosphere here andand what it's been like calling
games here compared to what the trap was like?
It's kind of nice to say that they've had 41 sellouts this
(20:35):
year, which is the case. It's not, you know, 25,000 and
25 as it was at traffic on a field.
It's 10,046. But I do think there is
something to that. The atmosphere generally has
been very, very good here this year.
And you know what it means. I don't know.
They've certainly turned it around.
They weren't playing well in front of those big crowds
earlier at home. They changed a lot of narratives
(20:57):
around. You know, they couldn't score
first. They couldn't hit in the clutch.
The starters weren't going to. All the narratives have changed.
Was it the short dimensions? Was it the weather?
Was it the wind? Nobody's talking about those
things anymore because every night we show up, it's a sold
out crowd and the Rays are winning the.
Games exactly. I do think that as the summer
has worn on or spring has turnedto summer, the race have played
(21:19):
much better overall, but they'vealso played much better at home.
And I think they've taken advantage of the conditions
here. The fact that I think teams wear
down in this heat, I really do. If you're only experiencing this
now, maybe in August, that won'tbe the case because teams will
be used to playing in hot weather.
But his teams came here in May and June when they hadn't
experienced hot weather. And they come here and they're
getting, you know, they're, it'sbaking here in the in the
(21:40):
daytime games. The race have been excellent in
those games especially, but really good overall at home.
Yeah, I got two more things for you guys.
The first thing is, how much funhas it been to watch?
This team this year. Especially during this run that
they've been on, going from where they were below 500 to now
being a bona fide playoff contender, A-Team that's
contending for an Ali's title. How much fun has it been to see
(22:02):
what this team has become? Well, I mean, our philosophy
here in the booth is it's alwaysgoing to be fun, whether win,
lose or whatever. I mean that that's been
established. We want to lead the league in
fun every year. It's a heck of a lot easier to
to have fun. When they win.
When they win, you know, last year there was the whole year
was played in this window between three games above 505,
(22:23):
games below 500. This year they've broken
through. This year for the first six
weeks, it felt a lot like last year.
There was no real traction. But I remember the years where
the Rays got good. You know, it might be around 500
and you hover there and you get 5 over and you hover there and
you get the 10 over. It's kind of what this team is
doing right now, right now. So in terms of fun, we're going
to have fun regardless because we love baseball so much and,
(22:46):
and broadcasting it to the fans.But boy, when they win
everything, every, everyone is in a much better mood than
working, you know, and, and honestly, you got to love
baseball to work in it, especially for I look at people
like the grounds crew and the people that work in the outside
area. We're looking out to have some
fans and some air. Conditioning.
Around us, but for everyone, thewhole organization talked about
(23:06):
them. When you're winning, Neil, you
know, and we've been in baseball, each of us 30 or so
years. When you win, everybody's just
having a better time. There's a little more hop in
your step for sure. I don't think there's any doubt,
and I echo Andy's thoughts, is that it should be fun every day
We're in baseball, You know, it's it's it should be fun every
time you step out. And and it is no matter whether
(23:27):
this team is winning or losing. I think it's been an enjoyable
team to watch because of how hard and how how they play the
game the right way. And they're doing this without
Hassan Kim yet, without Shane Mcclanahan, with Benny Rodriguez
on the injured list, without Richie Palacios most of the
season. I think they're going to get
better as the year goes on. I really do.
I think they can play maybe not 22 and 8 all the way through,
(23:48):
but I think they're going to be some stretches like this where
you're like, wow, this team is playing well again.
Yeah. And then the last thing I had is
because I've asked a couple of people about it, the
sustainability of what's been going on.
I know you kind of alluded to it, but like how sustainable is
what they're doing right now? Is this something that they can
replicate in some sort of a way moving forward, Whether, I mean,
I'm not saying you know what they're doing right now, but at
(24:09):
least continuously winning and being a contender, is that
something that is viable for this team?
I hope, I mean, no one knows that answer for sure.
I mean, I right now it's easy because they're riding a very
good wave and it feels like they're going to be like this
all day long. But if you follow baseball for
any length of time, you know that you're going to have high
peaks and low ebbs. I think of the 2023 team, they
(24:30):
said 113 in a row and there wereso many games about 500 and then
they went 8 and 16 in July. And then still we're able to
bounce back and win like 40 of the last 60.
So you're, you're going to be due for some low points at some
point. It's inevitable.
But as of right now, it sure feels like what?
Isn't that why we watch? Isn't that why we listen?
Isn't that why we come to games?Because you really, I don't
(24:50):
know, it's, it's reality entertainment because it happens
live right in front of us and unfolds right now.
It sure feels good. And a lot of it has to do with
health. You know, I mentioned some of
the injured players, but the race have gotten healthier.
I mean, getting Josh Lowe, as you alluded to, at the top has
mattered, you know. And I think by and large, the
starting pitching, knock on wood, has stayed fairly healthy
without Shane Mcclaney and the other guys have made their
(25:11):
start. So let's see how that continues.
Race have some other arms in thethe miners and Joe Boyle.
You know, I'm curious if he impacts what the race may do a
month from now. But in the meantime, let's enjoy
every moment, enjoy every win, and just see how it rolls.
And Alex, you're asking us hard thoughts, You're at the Raise
the Roof Network. I want to know your thoughts.
Do you feel like this is sustainable?
What do you guys think? I mean, in all reality, I mean,
(25:34):
what they've been doing right now has been amazing.
I've been really impressed by the starting pitching.
I always talk about Zach Letelleand what he's been able to do as
a five or four or five. I mean, he's been fantastic
seeing guys like Jake Maggot. I mean, I've been championing
him for a while. So I'm glad to see him playing
well. But you know, guys like him,
guys like Taylor Walls really stepping up recently.
Aranda's playing, you know, likean All Star starter, juniors
(25:58):
finally showing up. I mean, me and Bill, our both
Maryland guys. So I'm always pulling for him to
do well. But I'm impressed by what's been
going on. I hope it continues, but as you
said, who knows. Isn't that the fun of it?
Though, Yeah, I mean, hey, this has been a hell of a lot of fun
to watch. This team has been really good.
And if they they've been really good against teams that are also
(26:18):
really good. It's not like they've been
beating up on the trash teams, which they have but or I mean
the worst teams, but they've been beating up on teams that
are as good as them, if not better, And that's been the most
impressive thing by. Far to me, that's the fun of it.
To me baseball's like a summer long novel and every day you
turn another page and find out what happens.
I get this disappointed when I hear the national writers and
(26:42):
people that cover a baseball on a national level already talking
about the trading deadline. I'm not even thinking about the
trading. I'm sure the GM.
It's not even July yet. It's not even July yet.
Let's just kind of enjoy what's happening right now and when the
trading deadline comes, it'll come and we'll deal with that
then. But right now, this is 1 heck of
a wave. Yeah, let's keep riding the
wave. We're having a lot of fun.
All right. Well, Neil, Andy, thank you guys
so much. Appreciate it.
(27:03):
Our pleasure. Unique situation here with
everything going on, but wanted to get your thoughts about, you
know, you know, coming back to the area place that you played
for a couple years and and what it's been like with this unique
situation here. It's time runner.
Yeah, it's always great to be back in Tampa.
You know, it's been really, really good.
(27:24):
Just, you know, always feels like home.
People are so welcoming, welcoming they they always let
me know that they remember the years that we had here.
So it's always great to come back.
You know, obviously this situation is is is strange, you
know, seeing the the race play as time by the field, but but I
was pleasantly surprised. You know, I think that the guys
(27:45):
enjoy hitting here for sure. It's good hitters part.
So I think I would have enjoyed that.
But you know, I also understand the need to to you feel like
you're not a nomad, right? Actually have your your your own
home. So I know that's an issue that
that the race players would liketo see resolved.
Yeah. I mean, with, with everything
(28:05):
that they've done here, like howimpressed are you with how much
they've been able to transform this place into feeling as much,
you know, as home as possible? Yeah, it's impressive actually.
They they've, they've done a great job and I was able to
visit the guys over there in theclubhouse, you know, So I was
making my rounds and they're pleased obviously with the
facilities, but they're awesome.The gym, the training room, the
(28:25):
batting cages, all that stuff is, it's impressive.
So it makes the player experience a lot more enjoyable.
But you know, I understand now that the capacity of the
stadium, maybe they would like it to be bigger.
You just want to have a home of your own.
So. So it's it's bittersweet in a
sense, they taking advantage of the pros and at the same time
(28:48):
wishing that, you know, sooner rather than later, either they
can go back to the truck or a new stadium.
Will be built. Your impressions of this series,
again, you know the Rays have been streaking recently.
The Tigers still have the best record in baseball.
How do you feel like the two teams fared overall?
Well, I mean the the Rays are a great team.
I mean, their their capabilitiesand tools were in full display,
(29:12):
obviously extremely aggressive. They're able to put runs up on
the board in many different ways.
They run the bases very well. They steal bases.
Their pitching is you know that they've been known for that for
years. So I'm very impressed with with
what I saw this past weekend. But I think you know, this last,
(29:35):
I would say 30 days. It's not a fluke.
This is this is where the rays are.
And then the last thing I have for you is would you be
surprised to see these two teamsmatch up in October or
something? Like that, no, I definitely
wouldn't be surprised. I don't know these are two very
capable teams and it wouldn't surprise me all of the rays are
in the mix again. You know, I, I, I told you
(29:55):
earlier, man, I'm, I'm, I'm proud of, to have been part of
laying a foundation here. And, you know, when we went to
the World Series and kind of like change of culture.
And ever since then, you know, this organization, this
franchise has been a winning franchise.
And I feel very much part of that, even if it's just, you
know, laying those the brakes inthe foundation, you know, So
(30:17):
trust me, I'm always following. Yeah.
All right, raise the roof here with someone that you guys have
heard on the podcast, in the podcast couple times, Tricia
Whitaker, former Rays field reporter for I guess then Fox,
Fox Sports, Simon, it was. Fox, it was.
Valley, it was FanDuel, it was alot of things.
(30:38):
Yeah, but Tricia is back. Tricia, first of all, how you
doing? I'm.
Wonderful. I'm so happy to be back with the
Rays today. So many fun memories.
They got to say hi to everybody and I'm really happy to see them
doing so well over the stretch. Yeah.
So is this your first time seeing them in any sort of
capacity since kind of moving it?
Is it is the first time we haven't had them on Apple TV
yet, but we probably, I would imagine we would in the
(31:00):
second-half because of how good they're doing.
Yeah, they're playing. Really.
Well, but yeah, this is the first time I've seen them since
last season. Yeah.
How impressed have you been withwhat they've been able to do
over the last month, month and 1/2?
Very impressed considering the way that they started the
season. I mean, they were well under 500
at the beginning of the season. Through that first chunk and the
last 30-4 games, they've been the hottest team in baseball.
You look at their rotation and it doesn't.
(31:22):
I mean, I've covered the race for six years.
I don't ever remember a time where they use this few
pitchers, right. You have such a solid.
Body. Health has been on their side
and the bats are starting to come alive here and that's been
really cool to see. Junior Caminero and Jonathan
Aranda, I remember covering themin their Major League debuts and
seeing what they're doing now isjust incredible.
(31:42):
Yeah, the pitching side of things, how impressive you, as
you mentioned, not a lot of pitching being used, but at the
same time the pitching that has been used, I mean they're one of
the in baseball and in innings pitched and quality starts,
everything of that. Absolutely.
I think the only other team thathas used fewer pitchers in the
Rays this season is the Angels. And I would never have believed
you if you told me that because when I was here, it was like
(32:03):
opener and whole fan and book days and all sorts of stuff.
But they have had health on their side, and I don't want to
jinx anything, but that's been key for them.
Seeing what Ryan Pepeo has done makes me so happy for him, too.
He's from Indiana and so am I. So, you know, he's kind of my
guy. I'll support Ryan Pepeo to the
end of his career just because of our Indiana roots.
But but yeah, it's been wild. And, you know, behind it, of
(32:25):
course, is the mastermind of allmasterminds, and that's Kyle
Snyder. So it's been amazing to see what
that rotation has done. And even more impressive that
they haven't had shame the entire year.
I know and he's coming back soon.
He through to and well, not soonI guess, but at.
Soon enough point. Yes, soon.
Enough, and I can't imagine how filthy that rotation is gonna be
with Shane back in. The cold, yeah.
(32:46):
And I mean guys like Zach Littell, I've been singing his
praises recently of just how good he's been.
But on the offensive side of things, as you mentioned, Junior
Aranda Bilao has been healthy the entire year and has been
performing. How impressive you been with the
offense? Well, listen, Brandon Lau, I've
covered him since the beginning of his career with the Rays and
he when he is healthy, he's one of the absolute best hitters in
(33:08):
the game. It's unbelievable.
You look at a guy like, you know, we talk about his size all
the time. You're like, I didn't get so
much power behind the ball. That's unbelievable.
But it's been really cool to seewhat he's done healthy.
You talk about Junior Caminero, those electric quick hands, you
talk about Jonathan Aranda, you're finally seeing him become
the player that the Rays always knew that he could become with a
regular chance at all of the at bats in the playing time that
(33:30):
he's getting. Junior is just that spark plug
and I know that he wants nothingmore than to be an All Star and
I hope he gets it. Yeah, two more things.
First thing, as you mentioned, Imentioned, you know, a lot of
fond memories being here and seeing, you know, a lot of guys
that you've been covering over the last couple years.
How cool has that been? It's been amazing.
I sat there and talked to Pete Fairbanks for like 10 minutes.
And I mean, Ryan Pepio's starting today.
And even Pepio came over. He's like, hi, Trish.
(33:51):
And I'm like, you're starting. You're not supposed to talk to
me. He's I just, I'm just saying hi.
And I'm like, I know I want to say hi too, but like we can't
talk. But like that was really fun and
Josh Lowe, it was so fun to see Josh.
It was good to see Brandon Lau, good to see Taylor Walls.
It just all those guys were so good to me when I was here.
They're really what made the jobso fun.
They're what they are the ones that allowed me to tell their
(34:14):
stories and gave me access to their lives.
I mean, I got to know some of their families at a very deep
personal level. I'm friends with Pete Fairbanks,
his aunts, and it's and you know, it's just like what?
So it's just it's, it's that's my favorite part of what I did
the last six years is build those relationships.
And then the last thing Would you be surprised to see this
team in October play meaningful games in the postseason?
(34:35):
Not a chance would I be surprised.
Now, I will say, please don't make it the same story that
we've seen, you know, time and time again the last six seasons.
In 2020, of course, they had a sustained run.
But the rest of the time they flamed out at the end of the
season and in the postseason. And I just, I hope that with
this rotation and the help they have on their side, then, you
know, maybe we will see the Raysfinally make a deep postseason
(34:58):
run for the first time since 2020.
Razor Roof here with a multi time guest of the podcast,
someone that we haven't had on alittle bit, but Ryan Bass raised
be raised field reporter, side live reporter.
Call me whatever you want, man. Man of many hats.
Yeah, Razor Porter for FanDuel Sports Network Sun slash Florida
(35:20):
slash. I don't know what it is now, but
we'll get through it. Ryan, how you been?
I'm good, dude, man. It's how much fun has this been?
end of May, end of June. It's been so much fun covering
this team, being around the Rays.
I know a lot of fans are enjoying watching them too.
I wish the weather would cooperate.
We get a little bit more cloud cover here in Baltimore, but
look at the Razor. As hot as the temps outside,
(35:40):
which is certainly a good thing.Yeah, your impressions of
yesterday's news, pacifically atRondas Homer.
I've been to probably like at least a dozen games here, if not
more. Never seen a ball hit that far.
I mean, they were joking on the broadcast yesterday.
He he hit it to the boobs BBQ sign, which is basically, you
know, I would say what right center field and that it was the
baseball was used basically as ameat tenderizer with how much he
(36:02):
he crushed that baseball. That was a nice phrase that
Dwayne coined up there in the booth.
But now that that that was such a majestic shot, right, the
third longest home run by a Ray in the stack cast era that dates
back to 2015. I think it just speaks to it
even adds even more to the All Star resume that we see for
Jonathan Aranda, how consistent of a hitter he's been.
Look, he has that kind of power and has that kind of pop, right.
(36:23):
What I think has been most impressive with his game this
year is he's he's using every single part of the field.
It's not like he's just pulling the ball and he, you know, it's
not, it's not like he's just slapping the ball the other way,
right. He, he really does take whatever
the pitch is from, you know, theopposing pitcher and he's able
to manipulate his swing to be able to put, you know, put a
good swing on it. So it was impressive.
It was a majestic shot, but it'sone of the, the very many things
(36:45):
that Jonathan Aranda has done this year.
That's that's been impressive and should get him to Atlanta
for the All Star game. Now, are you surprised that any
Rays guy didn't didn't make it into phase two?
Because I mean, the race had multiple guys who were more than
deserving of of at least making it to be a finalist, let alone.
Surprise, no. I mean, you know, Matt Joyce was
just talking about it on our pregame show and he he was an
All Star in 2011. He didn't get voted in, but then
(37:07):
ended up being selected, you know, by the players and the
coaches to get in. And I think that's just that's
life as as the Tampa Bay Ray right now.
You know, Junior Caminero, I think has a little bit of that
star power. Chandler Simpson, I think does
too, you know, and I do think Junior is of those two,
certainly deserving to go to Atlanta.
I think the Rays are going to have multiple All Stars and it's
all said and done. I think Jonathan Aron is a lock.
I think Junior is going to get in.
(37:28):
I I hope that he's a fixture in the Home Run Derby as well.
I think that Brandon should get in Brandon.
Brown definitely deserves that. He's got the best numbers of any
second baseman in baseball, let alone the American League.
And then on the pitching side, Drew Rasmussen and Ryan Pepeo
both deserve to be in Atlanta. So I really hope the Rays are
well represented. I think they will be, but
especially if I had, if I had tomake a bet on the hitting side,
you'll certainly see three Rays and I think it's a safe bet that
(37:50):
Drew Rasmussen is there, Jonathan Aranda is there, and I
think that Junior Caminera will be as well.
It's been fun watching Brandon this series.
I know as a Maryland grad, him being a Maryland guy too, I
think he relishes being in this environment.
But looking at the last month and 1/2 or so, what's been the
most surprising thing that you've seen about this team?
Surprising is the way the offense continues to to, you
(38:11):
know, to click And I think in the multitude of ways in which
they're doing so right. I mean, look, we we know coming
into this year that the Rays were going to, you know, they
were going to pride themselves on pitching and defense, right?
And we've seen both of those twothings, you know, be consistent
all year long. The offense, though, that was
the question. Could they could they look a
little bit more like we saw in 2023?
Or was it going to be last year where they struggled to bring
runners home in scoring position?
(38:32):
This year, they've been the bestteam in baseball and driving
runners in. And I think that has been the
most surprising thing is the waythat they have consistently been
able to score runs and the different ways that they're
doing so. And it's not just the long ball.
You look at the series in KansasCity, right?
We start off that series with a Danny Jensen home run.
OK, There's the long ball. The second game in that series,
they have 11 singles and they win that game 3.
Nothing, right, By some small ball in the infield, scored
(38:54):
three runs with, you know, two hits that didn't even leave the
infield. And then, you know, you saw what
happened in that final game of the series.
They had two homers, you know, 2double s, 2 triples, a number of
singles, an extra base hits. So, you know, this team I think
is, is so well equipped to do damage offensively in a
multitude of ways. And whether it's Aranda hitting
a 400 and near 70, you know, foot bomb, or it's two SAC flies
(39:14):
from Taylor Walls to bring Chandler Simpson home.
That to me I think is what's most impressive is they can beat
you in so many ways. And they this isn't just a
fluke. I mean, they've been doing this
consistently now, you know, for seven or eight weeks.
Yeah, I think it's been, I thinkthe most thing has been
impressive, at least to me, has been a small ball.
I mean, we saw it yesterday withChandler, two different plays
where he was able to go 1st to 3rd and Havoc.
(39:35):
You know, Bunting has been really impressive recently.
You you mentioned the SAC flies.Like can you talk more about, at
least from your perspective, what you've seen from the small
ball side of things with? This Yeah.
I mean, look, they're embracing,you know, Bunning this year,
which is certainly a philosophical change from, you
know, manager Kevin Cash and, you know, Chad Mottola and this
staff, you know, in years past, they kind of abandoned the bunt
right now. You see guys, Danny Jensen drop
(39:58):
one down the other day, right? I mean, you're, you know, Taylor
Walls, Jose Caballero, Chandler Simpson, Jake Mangum, right,
They've they've really embraced the ability to look, just put
the ball in play, right. Like, you know, that's the I was
just doing a pregame hit for, you know, FanDuel Sports Network
on Mangum and and the the pressure he puts on opposing
defenses, which is similar to Chandler, just put the ball in
play. And I think the Rays are doing a
(40:18):
really good job. Not just producing runs, but
manufacturing runs and then driving runners home, you know,
when they're in scoring position.
That has been, to me, the biggest key to their success,
the biggest surprise so far thisseason.
And embracing that, I think it'sbeen a good thing.
And you know, look, it's it's made, it's it's given the raise
this element of unpredictabilityfor opposing teams, right?
(40:39):
You, I mean, look, you can have Jonathan Aranda hit it 470 feet
or you can have, you know, DannyJensen drop down and hit a bunt,
you know, to the right side and get a guy home from 3rd.
So I think that that unpredictability has been, you
know, a really big key to their success.
And then the last thing I have for you is I know I've talked to
a lot of people about sustainability, but legitimately
from this 6-7 week run, is this a team that that deserves to
(41:01):
play meaningful baseball in? September and I do.
I mean, they're, they're playoffchances were 11% according to
fan graphs in May. They're at they're north of 75%
now. Yeah.
This is a team that's going to be playing in October, I
believe. I mean, I, you know, they win
today. The Yankees lose.
They they take sole possession of first place in the American
League for the first time since early April and for the first
time this late in the season since 2023.
(41:22):
So, you know, look, I believe inthis team.
I think they've got all the components.
I, you know, I think every team in the American League should
be, should be really scared of araised team that could do damage
in so many ways. And with a pitching staff that's
still missing their ace and Shane McClain Flanahan, who we
should hopefully see continuous progression this upcoming week.
Hassan Kim could return to the Rays on the road trip when we
embark for Minnesota, Detroit and Boston before the break.
(41:45):
So he's going to be back soon, Biggie.
Hopefully, I think he isn't backto doing anything yet.
But yeah, I mean, you know, man,Manuel Rodriguez is still, you
know, on the Angel list. So they've got so many key
pieces that are going to come back.
You're going to get addition just by guys coming, becoming
healthy after the All Star break.
So I'm really excited to see what this team can do.
(42:05):
I'm really high on their chances.
The key is once you get in the postseason, can they replicate
it, right? 23's team was so good
offensively, couldn't hit in thepostseason.
However, this team, I think withthe way they can do damage, it's
a much different dynamic than what we saw just a couple of
years ago. And we're back on this latest
episode of Raise the Roof. A big thank you to everyone that
(42:27):
we talked to both down in Tampa and up in Baltimore for the last
couple weeks. We sincerely appreciate everyone
from players to those who work for the Rays too, media
personalities, those who write about the team, everyone in
between. We sincerely appreciate all of
you guys for being willing to talk with us.
Sincerely thank you for allowingus to be part of this community
(42:49):
as much as we are. Once again, a big thanks to the
race for helping us facilitate alot of these interviews and get
things going down in Tampa. A big thank you to everyone who
we met over the last couple weeks, both in Tampa and in
Baltimore. We love talking with you guys.
We love giving you guys some free gifts and freebies on the
way. We do have some more giveaways
coming up soon, so be sure to follow us on social media.
(43:11):
It's at Raise the Roof, TB and all of our social media
platforms to check those things out.
Stay tuned for what we have coming up and this is far from
the end. We have plenty more stuff coming
for you guys. We have hopefully some player
and more player interviews coming out, more media, more fun
segments, more everything like that coming up.
So be sure to follow the podcast.
(43:32):
We should have followed everything that we have going on
as we get closer and closer to the All Star break.
If you guys again, don't follow us on social media, it's at
Raise the Roof TV that's on Twitter slash X Instagram Blue
sky, our YouTube channel has raised the roof continued to
support us there because we're getting close to 250
subscribers. Hopefully we'll get to, I mean,
(43:52):
my goal would be 1000 by the endof the year, but hopefully we
continue to build it up. So big thanks to you guys there.
Our podcast continue to support us as you guys have been.
Be sure to like, be sure to subscribe.
Be sure to leave us a review, hopefully a five star review.
Share this with your family or friends, anyone who knows who's
a race fan or a baseball fan that wants to add a podcast into
their podcast feed. We would love to be part of it.
And one final shout out to our sponsors, C geek in the Clutch
(44:17):
and JKS Prince. Be sure to use code raise the
roof and all caps to check out at all three of those websites
to get yourself some tickets, get yourself some merch, help us
out in the process, get you guyssome cool stuff too.
So with all that being said, thanks so much for listening and
as always, raise up.
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