RaysUp - Thank you First Responders & a look at Rays 2025

9/11 – Thank you to all of the first responders who have given of themselves daily then & now RaysUp Wild Card Standings is there any reason to look at these – No Jonny DeLuca showing his stuff, shining & outmuscling Rays teammates Christopher Morel & Dylan Carlson. DeLuca’s numbers batting .435 (10-for-23) over a six-game on-base streak and is slashing .368/.410/.596 (21-for-57) with 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR and 7 RBI in his last 16 games… Junior Caminero – what else will we see from hi Rays pitching? DeLuca’s numbers batting .435 (10-for-23) over a 6 game on-base streak & slashing .368/.410/.596 (21-for-57) with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HRs and 7 RBIs in his last 16 games. Premium outfielder for 2025. Future of Yandy Diaz & Jose Siri Rays Minor League, Montgomery Biscuits, Chandler Simpson with a strong work ethic has stolen over 100 bases will drive pitchers & catchers nuts – He Will RUN! Jose Caballero is leading the league in steals. He could continue as a utility player for Tampa Bay. Will Taylor Walls be able to stay in 2025 as Caballero’s talent & results rise. Which Minor leaguer’s will advance in 2025? Minor League successes –   Bowling Green Hot Rods – 75 & 54 (1st in the SAL South  The Charleston River Dogs – 69 & 61  (2nd in the CAR South) Durham Bulls have had several players pulled from their team making it difficult to rise above .500 Some unhappy fans pick up the microscope this season and unfairly look solely at Kevin Cash Managers stick with players longer than they should Take a broader view of Kevin Cash and what he did after team took on early injuries. Needed action to take advantage of talented players  What happened to Austin Shenton – why haven’t we been using him instead of Christopher Morel What do you do when the family gives you an unwanted gift. Use it or Lose it. What will Kevin Cash see when he looks back at 2024 Rays have showed a lot of tenacity in the last month against some top teams  Wild Card is no longer an option – time to find the special players and moments Taylor Walls had a good game recently including a HR, a base hit and an RBI Phillies fun fact – Mike Cash, Kevin’s Dad, played for a Phillies minor league team Facing X-Rays – Jose Alvarado, Diego Castillo, Top 30 Pitchers since trade deadline Christopher Sanchez, Blake Snell & Tobias Meyers Phillies Nick Castellanos give Rays payback with a HR the day after HBP from Uceta Drew Rasmussen – Rays move Drew to multi-inning reliever with lower pitch counts Jeffrey Springs on 15 day IL 23-year old, Taj Bradley has exceeded 130 innings this season. Still a young man. Look at Blake Snell example of growth with age. Chicago White Sox and Zach Hample gives an attendance count Should Chicago keep the White Sox or should this team be moved  Keep Cubs the sole Chicago team Mat asks about a Christmas Countdown calendar for the Ray’s to start building the new stadium April Fools Day? Future of Rays with the business development Mat looks to the future –Rays Minors League in Charleston’s Gary Gill Hill & Drew Dowd Watch minor leagues on MLB TV Will Curtis Mead return to Australia to play in Adelaide What will we see in the Fall League in the AFL, Chandler Simpson & Tre Morgan All-American Women’s Baseball Classic being held in Durham, October 11-13 Several of the players will be from the WBSC women baseball champions will be there to play  You can find Mat on Twitter x.com @Mat_Germain_    Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"