http://www.sportsnipe.com Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Team News, Updates, and Stats from all sports sources, updated continually. http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2933204/trietley-theres-hope-for-nfls-bottom-feeders-this-season-university-pittsburgh-pitt-news.html Trietley: There's hope for NFL's bottom feeders this seasonUniversity of Pittsburgh The Pitt NewsRemember when the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays were awful? How about the Chicago Blackhawks? Well, funny thing about being awful ? you get the chance to draft ... Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2933203/red-sox-torch-garza-rays.html Morning thunderstorms cooled the air Wednesday and made it feel like an early fall day, the kind New Englanders expect when the red, white and blue bunting is hung around Fenway Park and the Red Sox begin another trek through the postseason. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2933202/mondays-pitching-matchup-enticing.html You can call it a matchup of Cy Young Award front-runners or you can call it a possible preview of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2932203/offensive-erruption-one-for-records-book.html Offensive erruption one for records book Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2932202/upton-raffling-off-amp39brayseramp39-for-charity.html Upton raffling off 'BRayser' for charity Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2932201/balfour-showing-signs-improvement.html Balfour showing signs of improvement Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2932200/crawford-well-aware-his-accomplishments.html Crawford well aware of his accomplishments Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2932199/tampa-bay-rays-at-boston-red-sox-sep-8-2010-710-pm-edt.html   Current Series 3 game series vs Red Sox @ Fenway Park Mon 09/06 WP: Jon Lester (16 - 8) LP: Jeff Niemann (10 - 6) 5 - 12 loss Tue 09/07 WP: David Price (17 - 6) LP: Daisuke Matsuzaka (9 - 5) 14 - 5 win Tampa Bay Rays DRaysBay @ Boston Red Sox Over the Monster Wednesday, Sep 8, 2010, 7:10 PM EDTFenway Park Matt Garza vs Tim Wakefield Clear. Winds blowing out to left field at 15-20 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 75.   Complete Coverage > Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2932198/live-updates-rays-at-red-sox.html The latest from Fenway Park. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2931014/rays-reek-outmatched-by-oriole-offense-50-creative-loafing-tampa-blog.html Creative Loafing Tampa (blog)Rays reek, outmatched by Oriole offense 5-0Creative Loafing Tampa (blog)A base hit by former-Devil Ray Ty Wigginton kept the inning alive. Baltimore's Luke Scott continued to be a huge pain in the ass for Tampa Bay, ...Hellickson stays unbeaten, Crawford's hot hand helps Rays to series win over ...Central Florida News 13all 858 news articles » Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2931013/rays-at-red-sox-seeking-series.html <!--break-->UPDATE, 3:52: Rays lineup includes Hawpe today at DH: Jaso c, Zobrist 2b, Crawford lf, Longoria 3b, Pena 1b, Joyce rf, Hawpe dh, Upton cf, Bartlett ss, Garza p DEVELOPING: The Rays are looking to make it two straight and win the series in the last meeting of the season with the Red Sox tonight, and they'll have Matt Garza on the mound. Garza is on an impressive roll, having gone 3-0, 0.99 in his last four starts. The Rays are coming off a big night in which they won their team-record 41st road game and set season highs with 14 runs and five home runs. It was the 11th time in franchise history they hit five or more homers, and the 12 they hit over their last four games are their most in nearly two years, since also hitting 12 over four games in September 2008. With a win tonight, the Rays will win their team record 14th road series of the season. And looking ahead to next week's series with the Yankees at the Trop, it appears there will be a dazzling opening matchup between leading Cy Young award candidates David Price and CC Sabathia. Here is the Red Sox lineup, with Tim Wakefield starting ahead of ace Clay Buchholz: Scutaro SS Drew RF Martinez C Ortiz DH Beltre 3B Kalish CF Reddick LF Hall 2B Anderson 1B Wakefield p   Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2931012/rays-podcast-chicks-dig-long-ball.html Rays beat writer Roger Mooney joins TBO.com's Scott Butherus to discuss the team's recent love affair with the home run, Jeff Niemann's fastball command and the latest fashion from the clubhouse. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2930397/rays-hellickson-racking-up-honors.html USA Today is the latest to bestow rookie right-hander Jeremy Hellickson with an award for his achievements. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2930020/another-hellickson-award.html <!--break-->Tuesday, it was Baseball America. Wednesday, USA TODAY named Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson minor league player of the year as well. Hellickson is also the third Ray to win that award, which began in 1988. Josh Hamilton won in '00, David Price in '08. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2930019/james-shields-amp-taboo-topic-hittability.html More photos » Kathy Willens - AP Browse more photos » There have been some excellent pieces on James Shields in the Rays blogosphere this season and this post by ghost of draysbay past Tommy Rancel inspired me to tinker with baseball-reference.com's season finder tool. If you read this blog, you already are well aware James Shields is posting an excellent strikeout-to-walk ratio while allowing an insane amount of home runs this season. Perhaps even stranger is the surprising amount of balls put into the playing field are resulting in hits (Batting Average on Balls in Play). Here are some of Shields' numbers:   K/9 BB/9 HR/9 HR/FB BABIP 2010 8.4 2.2 1.54 14.0% 0.344 Career 7.4 2 1.22 11.7% 0.313   The pro-Shields crowd will point to Shields' xFIP of 3.70 and declare that HR/FB rates should normalize beyond single seasons. The anti-Shields mantra revolves around our old friend "hittability."  While BABIP rates also typically normalize, the distance from a typical norm of .290-.300 is pretty loud. This is particularly true when you factor the Rays well-above average team defense which is a variable that has helped produce the following for staff BABIP rates: Pitcher BABIP David Price 0.291 Matt Garza 0.260 Jeff Niemann 0.270 Wade Davis 0.264 James Shields 0.346 The home run rate or BABIP alone would be easy to dismiss as random variation, but it does raise some questions when produced in stereo given the lack of overlap.   tERA which removes batted-ball location luck while still accounting for batted-ball types has Shields at 4.47 for the season. Going back to Tommy's piece, I took a look at all pitchers in the American League going back to 1920 who produced a season of 175 innings pitched, with a K/9 north of 8 and a BB/9 south of 3. This produced a sample of 58 seasons by 30 different pitchers. The list of pitchers who have accomplished this in multiple seasons is: Curt Schilling, Felix Hernandez, Frank Tanana, Javier Vasquez, Johan Santana, Josh Beckett, Justin Verlander, Luis Tiant, Mickey Lolich, MIke Mussina, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, and Zack Greinke. On its own, its a pretty impressive accomplishment, but what if we look at BABIP and HR/9 (hittability) for these 58 seasons? First Shields versus the average of the subset:   HR/9 BABIP OPS+ James Shields 1.54 0.331 116 Average 0.83 0.286 70 Rank 1 1 1   OPS+ is how far high or below league league average a pitcher's OPS against, park-adjusted for their stadium. Shields OPS+ is at 116. How big an outlier is this? No other season out of these 58 had an OPS+ above average. Again when considering that BABIP and HR/9 have no overlap, it is hard to deny a real concern of hittability that separates Shields from this peer group. Finally let's take a look at the worst five performers in this class in both HR/9 and BABIP to see how much cross-over there may be.   Player Year Age BAbip HR/9 OPS+ James Shields 2010 28 0.331 1.54 116 Pedro Ramos 1963 28 0.256 1.41 88 Johan Santana 2007 28 0.273 1.36 80 Randy Johnson 2005 41 0.285 1.28 85 Curt Schilling 2006 39 0.327 1.24 90   These are your worst season in terms of HR/9: three 28 year-olds and old men Schilling and Johnson. Only Schilling comes close to matching Shields' BABIP. This was Schilling's second-to-last season and the home run rate followed him the following season. Unlike Shields who plays behind a top-notch defense, the 2006 Red Sox defense was third from the bottom according to UZR. All things being equal, it is less surprising for Schilling to post the high BABIP due to the quality of the defense behind him. Now for the BABIP underperformers:   Player BAbip HR/9 Year Age OPS+ James Shields 0.331 1.54 2010 28 116 Curt Schilling 0.327 1.24 2006 39 90 Pedro Martinez 0.325 0.38 1999 27 35 Justin Verlander 0.323 0.75 2009 26 72 Jeremy Bonderman 0.32 0.76 2006 23 84   Again, we have the fading Schilling, this time accompanied by three pitchers with below-average home run rates. In summary, xFIP is probably not the best indicator to use in evaluating James Shields given the hittability issues he has displayed relative to his peer group. Instead we should continue to ask the questions regarding his process. There is no denying Shields has a plus changeup which he uses to put away some of the best hitters in the game, and the ability to throw strikes to keep his walk rate down. The process of how to best get James Shields in spots to put away hitters with the change while minimizing the amount of hittable pitches remains the difference between Shields and the true talent level of the the majority of this peer group.   Final note: In 2000 Pedro Martinez posted an OPS+ of 18. This is the result of a slash line against of .167/.213/.259 with a K/9 of 11.8 and a BB/9 of 1.3. Wow. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2930018/rays-notes-hellickson-earns-award.html He played every fifth day and missed a month when the big club needed his services, and still Jeremy Hellickson's time at Triple-A Durham was so productive the right-hander was named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2930017/rays-bomb-red-sox-145-price-wins-17th.html The Rays set season-highs for runs and home runs while pounding the Red Sox 14-5 as David Price, making his Fenway Park debut, extended his team record for wins in a season to 17. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2929338/attack-bats-rays-romp-boston-125-behind-longoria-crawford-zobrist-others.html Winslow Townson - AP about 9 hours ago: Boston Red Sox left fielder Eric Patterson stands in front of the scoreboard during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park in Boston Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) View full size photo » It's funny (disturbing?) how much control the Rays have over my psyche. On days after the Rays win, it's so much easier to get out of bed in the morning. I don't mind the early mornings so much and things that would normally aggravate me, I laugh off. Like tonight - I was in a rotten, stressed mood following dinner, but it all went away after watching Zobrist, Bartlett, and Longoria crush their homeruns to give the Rays the lead. The weight on my shoulders relaxed and the tightness in my chest lessened. Life might be crazy, but at least the Rays were winning. And win they did. It's one thing to win a game by nine runs; it's another to score those runs by absolutely murdering the baseball. Last night, the Rays' offense exploded like a fireworks display gone mad. Ben Zobrist homered to deep centerfield, singled in a run, and then barely missed another homerun later in the game. Carl Crawford had three doubles. Evan Longoria had a three-run homerun that cleared the Green Monster and landed in a parking lot. Jason Bartlett hit a titanic homerun off the lights in leftfield. Dan Johnson hit another homerun against the Sox. And not to be outdone, BJ Upton hit a laserbolt homerun that landed in the parking lot with Evan's blast. I've never seen so many balls get hit so hard in one game. It was stunning. While the Rays were murdering baseballs on offense, David Price was doing his best Scott Kazmir impression - and no, not the good Kazmir. Price had a tough time getting through the first inning, letting up a couple runs while laboring deep into counts and struggling a tad with command. After getting through the first, Price managed to find a groove and make it through six productive innings, although he did walk four batters while only striking out two. The Red Sox are a patient team, but Price also had trouble fooling the Red Sox and blowing them away with his heat (~8% swinging strikes on the night). It wasn't his best start, but then again, it wasn't too shabby for his first career start in Fenway Park. Notes: Jeremy Hellickson doesn't like pitching out of the bullpen. After allowing only six runs in 26.1 innings pitched as a starter, he's now allowed five runs in 3.1 innings out of the bullpen. Also, that's not including his one relief appearance down with the Stone Crabs (A+) where he let up four runs in an inning and two-thirds. He doesn't appear as comfortable on the mound as he does as a starter, and he's running out of time to adjust. Anybody else excited to see Jake McGee on our postseason roster? I'm really liking this Brad Hawpe / Dan Johnson tango at DH. Johnson had a great night at the plate last night (1 for 3 with a homerun and two walks), and I've liked what I've seen of Brad Hawpe so far. This is much better production than I'm used to getting from our DH, so I'll take it. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2926850/morning-after-video-price-on-big-win.html Rays pitcher David Price talks about beating the Red Sox for his 17th win. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2926842/team-wont-rush-kaplers-return.html With as many as seven players on their expanded roster available to play right field, the Rays are "not in a big hurry" to bring Gabe Kapler back from the DL, Manager Joe Maddon acknowledged Friday. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919187/fraley-angels-have-no-fear-arod.html With a well-heeled owner and an ongoing battle for the hearts (and bucks) of Los Angeles fans, the Angels on a short list of teams interested in Alex Rodriguez. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919186/fraley-gm-meetings-notebook-lidge-return-to-elite-status.html The atmosphere in Houston had spoiled for Brad Lidge, and it was Phil Garner's fault. Lidge can find success again in Philadelphia. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919185/devilish-no-more-meet-tampa-bay-rays.html ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are gone.Trying to reinvent itself, the pe... Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919184/fagan-arizona-leaguers-outlook-sunny.html The fall circuit enables players to hone their skills on the way to stardom in the bigs -- even if few folks are watching Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919183/fagan-arizona-fall-leagues-finest.html Here are the top five players in the Arizona Fall League, plus a number of other names to watch in the near future. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919182/tampa-bay-devil-rays-lose-to-detroit-tigers-32-bettorcom-blog.html Tampa Bay Devil Rays lose to Detroit Tigers 3-2bettor.com (blog)With the Yankees beating Texas, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays needed this one against the struggling Detroit Tigers, but couldn't get to Justin Verlander (13-7) ...and more » Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919181/rocco-baldelli-promoted-to-triplea-has-chance-become-tampa-bay-legend-nesncom.html Rocco Baldelli Promoted to Triple-A, Has Chance to Become Tampa Bay LegendNESN.comRemember back in 2003, when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were downright awful and wore those ridiculous teal uniforms? ...and more » Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919180/how-contenders-become-champions-realgmcom.html How Contenders Become ChampionsRealGM.comIn 2006, the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays were the worst team in baseball, posting only 61 wins. Four years later, and with a World Series appearance on their ...Rays reek, outmatched by Oriole offense 5-0Creative Loafing Tampa (blog)Hellickson stays unbeaten, Crawford's hot hand helps Rays to series win over ...Central Florida News 13all 858 news articles » Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919179/carl-crawford-joe-maddon-criticize-rays-fans-for-showing-up-to-support-them-nesncom.html Carl Crawford, Joe Maddon Criticize Rays Fans for Not Showing up to Support ThemNESN.com... 2010 12:39:09 PM The Tampa Bay Rays just might be the best team in baseball in 2010, but they're drawing fans like they're still the lowly Devil Rays. ...and more » Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919178/rays-second-only-to-yankees-for-time-being-sports-features-communications-press-release.html Rays Second only to Yankees... for the Time BeingSports Features Communications (press release)The Tampa Bay Rays boast the second-best record in baseball and are currently only one game behind the hated New York Yankees. Seven games between the two ...and more » Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919177/tampa-bay-gets-best-baltimore-41-creative-loafing-blog.html Tampa Bay gets the best of Baltimore 4-1Creative Loafing Tampa (blog)The baseball gods have apparently listened to my prayers about more offense earlier in the game by the Tampa Bay Rays. They managed to score four runs by ...and more » Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919176/mlb-playoff-preview-predictions-who-will-win-world-series-bleacher-report.html Bleacher ReportMLB Playoff Preview and Predictions: Who Will Win The World SeriesBleacher ReportALDS: The Tampa Bay Devil Rays Vs. The Texas Rangers The Devils Rays are 4-2 against the Rangers this season, sweeping their most recent series in August. ...and more » Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919175/victor-martinez-raysing-his-game-vs-tampa-bay-boston-herald.html msnbc.comVictor Martinez Rays-ing his game vs. Tampa BayBoston HeraldAlmost 1500 players have stepped to the plate against the Tampa Bay Rays since they entered the big leagues as the Devil Rays in 1998. And of those players, ...Tampa Bay Rays chase AL title again on the cheapOrlando Sentinelall 964 news articles » Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919174/usf-bolsters-its-staff-former-rays-pitching-coach-tbocom.html USF bolsters its staff with former Rays pitching coachTbo.comHernandez was the pitching coach for the California Angels (1992-96), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004-05) and Detroit Tigers (2006-08). ...and more » Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919173/morning-after-video-davis-on-being-back.html Rays rookie Wade Davs talks about coming off the DL and winning Tuesday's game against the Angels. <!--break--> Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919172/rays-at-angels-seeking-sweep.html UPDATE, 2:55: Pena is just getting a day off his feet (or, more specficially, his previously injured right foot) as a preventive measure, since he actually gets two days off this way. Same with SS Jason Bartlett, plus manager Joe Maddon was looking for a day tp get Reid Brignac into the lineup. .. .Jeff Niemann will be on a pitch count of around 90 today in his first start since coming off the DL. ... The Rays are looking for their 40th win of the season on the road, which would tie the franchise mark, and their major-league high 10th sweep of the season. ... RHP Wade Davis said he felt good playing catch this morning, better than he expected to after making his first start on Tuesday in coming off the DL. .... Also, there is word that Jeremy Hellickson will make his first relief appearance for Class A Charlotte on Thursday, scheduled for three innings. DEVELOPING: The Rays are looking for their first ever sweep at Angel Stadium, with Jeff Niemann making his return to the mound. The lineup looks like this, with Carlos Pena at DH: Jaso c, Zobrist 2b, Crawford lf, Longoria 3b, Pena DH, Joyce rf, Johnson 1b, Upton cf, Brignac ss, Niemann p   Angels lineup: Abreu lf Kendrick 2b Callaspo 3b Hunter rf Matsui dh Napoli 1b Willits cf Mathis c Wodd ss Haren p   Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919171/here-comes-more-manny-talk.html Manny Ramirez has reportedly been put on waivers by the Dodgers, which means the claiming period will run through Friday and because of the weekend, the Dodgers will have until Tuesday, four days instead of the usual two, to work out a deal with the team that gets the claim. And, conveniently, the last day players can be acquired and be eligible for postseason play. NL teams have first priority, by reverse order of record, and then AL teams. A claiming team runs the risk of the Dodgers simply letting the player go and having to assume the full salary, which in this case is about $4.4-million, of which about $3.3-million is deferred. The Dodgers can also pull Ramirez back and keep him for the rest of the season. Plus, Ramirez has to approve any deal since he has a no-trade clause. The White Sox, who have worst record of the AL contenders, and thus the better claiming position, are reportedly planning to claim him. The Rays best chance to get Ramirez would seem to be if he clears waivers so they can negotiate with the Dodgers, offering prospects for salary relief. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919170/rays-end-trip-123-loss.html The Rays headed home from the west coast in a bad mood, drilled 12-3 by the Angels in the matine finale. Jeff Niemann didn't make a very good return from the disabled list, working into only the fourth inning, allowing eight runs on 10 hits and three walks and having obvious problems with his control and command. The Angels led 11-1 after four innings, and the Rays pulled most of their starters. The Rays, who started the day tied for first place with the Yankees, come home to open a key weekend series with the Red Sox on Friday at the Trop.   Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919169/morning-after-video-niemann-on-rough-return.html Rays pitcher Jeff Niemann talks about his rough return from the DL in the loss to the Angels. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919168/some-quotminorquot-matters-triplea-coach-hernandez-leaving.html A couple of notes from the minor-league side of the organization: * Triple-A pitching coach Xavier Hernandez is leaving the Rays organization at the end of the season to return to his alma mater, Houston Baptist, as assistant coach. Hernandez has been with the Rays for nine seasons, the last four in Durham. The former big-league pitcher was a coach at HBU before coming to the Rays, and said he wants to spend more time at home with his family.  * RHP Jeremy Hellickson is one of five finalists for the USA Today Minor League Player of the Year award. The others are Phillies OF Domonic Brown, Braves 1B Freddie Freeman, Royals 3B Mike Moustakas and Mariners RHP Michael Pineda. There is online voting, though it is not the only factor in the selection process. * The player development contract with the advanced Class A Florida State League Charlotte Stone Crabs has been extended through 2012. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919167/report-rays-to-sign-hawpe.html According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Rays are going to sign OF Brad Hawpe, who was released by the Rockies after hitting .255. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919166/hank-steinbrenner-quotrest-assuredquot-yanks-will-make-playoffs.html Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner isn't too worried about the Red Sox coming on too strong, or he expects the Rays to fade. Steinbrenner told the New York Daily News he was confident the Yankees would make the playoffs - though he acknowledged winning the division may be tough - and play into October to defend their title. "Obviously, we're in the toughest division by far in baseball,'' Steinbrenner said. "So it's going to be a struggle down to the wire. We'd like to win the division, but I think we can be rest assured we're going to get the playoffs, then it's a matter of what we do from there."     Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919165/rays-vs-red-sox-for-openers.html UPDATE, 6:08: Maddon said recently-acquired Brad Hawpe will play a couple minor league games and likely join the Rays next week, and will be post-season eligible. Maddon said Hawpe will primarily be a DH against right-handed pitchers and get some work in the outfield, as well as maybe first base. He pointed out that Hawpe was an All-Star just a year ago, and just didn't get much playing time this year due to the emerging young outfielders with the Rockies. "That could be to our advantage," Maddon said. Maddon admitted the possibility of getting Manny Ramirez through waivers was a long-shot, but said the Hawpe addition could be interesting. *In other news, RHP Grant Balfour said he feels good enough to pitch tonight, but will pitch in minor league games with Class A Charlotte Saturday and Monday before rejoining the team possibly Wednesday. Balfour said though he's been on the DL, he hopes he can return to the same form as when he left. *First-round pick OF Josh Sale and fellow draft pick Drew Vettleson were at the Trop and in uniform, participating in batting practice with the big league club. "An unreal feeling," Vettleson said. The two said they were a bit nervous to begin with, but veteran Gabe Kapler helped break the ice - and calm them down - by playing a game with them in the outfield while shagging fly balls. "I hope it's not the last BP I take on this field," Sale quipped. UPDATE, 3:55: Rays lineup, the new version against lefthanders: Upton cf Bartlett ss Crawford lf Longoria 3b Pena 1b Zobrist rf Aybar dh Rodriguez 2b Shoppach c Price lhp   DEVELOPING: The Rays have already had an eventul day, signing Rockies OF Brad Hawpe to a minor-league deal (with plans to promote him to the majors by Tuesday's deadline for post-season eligibility) and learning that the White Sox won the waiver claim on Manny Ramirez. And now it's time for them to get down to the real business at hand, trying to knock the Sox further back in the wild-card race. David Price will be on the mound, seeking his 16th win, in a marquee matchup with Boston's Jon Lester. No word yet on the Rays lineup, but here is what the Red Sox have planned: Scutaro ss McDonald cf Martinez c Beltre 3b Ortiz dh Lowell 1b Drew rf Lowrie 2b Hall lf Lester p Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919164/carl-crawford-scratched-from-lineup-due-to-stomach-virus.html Rays leftfielder Carl Crawford has been scratched from tonight's lineup due to a stomach virus. Here's the new Rays lineup: Upton cf Bartlett ss Pena 1b Longoria 3b Aybar dh Zobrist rf Rodriguez 2b Shoppach c Joyce lf Price lhp -- JOE SMITH joesmith@sptimes.com   Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919163/hawpe-quotcouldnt-be-more-excitedquot-to-join-rays.html   Newly-acquired outfielder Brad Hawpe arrived at Tropicana Field this evening, saying he "couldn't be more excited" to join the Rays and a pennant race. "I haven't been this excited since I got called up to the big leagues," said Hawpe, 31.. "It's an opportunity to join the best record in baseball, the best team in baseball. It's late in the season. These guys have been playing great all year, so I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to just help them out." Hawpe said he'll play Saturday and Monday for Class-A Charlotte before rejoining the big league club next week. Manager Joe Maddon said the left-handed hitting Hawpe will primarily be used as DH against right-handed pitchers, and occasionally in the outfield and first base. Hawpe, an All-Star a year ago, said he feels he can rebound from a rough season with the Rockies, hitting .255 with seven homers and 34 RBIs "I didn’t play as well as I should have," he said. "I should have played better when I was there. I lost a role there and once you lose your role, they have some young guys that are there that were looking for their opportunities. That's how I got mine." Hawpe said he had good conversations with the Rockies management last week, and they told him with the younger players expected to get more playing time, they'd try to put him in a situation where he could land with another club. After Hawpe cleared waivers, he had conversations with several teams, but heard good things about the Rays, and Maddon, and a lengthy discussion with executive VP Andrew Friedman Thursday night sealed the deal. He said adjusting to being DH, which he's rarely done, is something he'll have to get used to, but got advice from Jason Giambi. As a side benefit, Hawpe said Tropicana Field, Yankee Stadium and the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington are the only three big league stadiums he's never played in. Noting that the Yankees and Rangers are both likely playoff teams, Hawpe quipped, "We'll play them in the playoffs and knock them all out there." -- JOE SMITH joesmith@sptimes.com   Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919162/morning-after-video-upton-on-key-play-tough-loss.html Rays CF B.J. Upton talks about getting thrown out at home on the key play of the night and losing the opener of the series to the Red Sox. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919161/for-starters-rays-vs-red-sox-crawford-back.html The Rays will try to bounce back from Friday's loss to the Red Sox tonight at Tropicana Field, and they'll have LF Carl Crawford back in the lineup. Crawford was a late scratch from Friday's lineup due to a stomach virus. Manager Joe Maddon said Crawford is feeling better, but they'll see how he's doing in the next couple hours. Should be another great pitching matchup here with Rays righthander Matt Garza and Red Sox righthander Clay Buchholz, who is 15-5 on the season and has won his last four starts (including giving up zero earned runs in each of his last three). *Maddon said RHP Grant Balfour (intercostal strain) will start tonight for Class-A Charlotte and newly acquired OF Brad Hawpe will get some at-bats. Rays lineup Jaso c Zobrist 2b Crawford lf Longoria 3b Pena 1b Joyce rf Johnson dh Upton cf Bartlett ss Garza rhp   Red Sox lineup Scutaro ss Drew rf Martinez c Ortiz dh Beltre 3b Lowell 1b Nava lf Kalish cf Hall 2b Buchholz, rhp -- JOE SMITH joesmith@sptimes.com   Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919160/morning-after-video-johnson-on-walkoff-homer.html Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919159/rays-vs-red-sox-on-big-stage.html UPDATE, 6:41: RHP Grant Balfour said he felt fine in his first game appearance for Class A Charlotte on Saturday since recovering from an intercostal strain, but admitted he didn't pitch well, and both he and manager Joe Maddon said he may need more than one additional appearance on Monday before being activated. New OF/DH/1B Brad Hawpe said his Saturday appearance went well and he hit the ball hard without any hits to show for it. He took BP with the Rays tonight and will play for Charlotte as well on Monday in Bradenton. Hawpe said he won't be added to the Rays roster until after Tuesday's game, which if that's the case  means a) they won't have to take someone off the 25-man roster to make room but b) he isn't automatically eligible for postseason play but could be added as a replacement for a player on the DL. The Rays will have at least one of those spots due to J.P. Howell. There's a bit of a buzz with the ESPN cameras around, and bullpen coach Bobby Ramos (above) had his camera work in mind, attaching a hunting camera to the bill of his cap before the game. "We're going to get some good shots,'' Ramos said. UPDATE, 5:01: Rays lineup looks like Saturday lineup: Jaso c, Zobrist 2b, Crawford lf, Longoria 3b, Pena 1b, Joyce rf, Johnson dh, Upton cf, Bartlett ss, Shields p   DEVELOPING: The Rays are readying to face the Red Sox in tonight's ESPN nationally televised finale of the three-game series. James Shields will be on the mound for the Rays, John Lackey for the Sox. With the teams splitting the first two games, the stakes are high - the difference between a 4 1/2 game lead or a 6 1/2 game lead with 32 game remaining. The Red Sox lineup: Scutaro ss Drew rf Martinez c Ortiz dh Beltre 3b Lowell 1b Nava lf McDonald cf Navarro 2b Lackey p     Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2919158/morning-after-video-shields-on-picking-up-club-record.html Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates