Matt Garza News

Andrew Friedman recently complimented the job performed by the Rays' scouting and development departments.

The Rays set their 40-man roster a day early on Thursday by adding outfielder Desmond Jennings, right-hander Jeremy Hellickson and left-hander Alexander Torres, thus ensuring none will be selected in next month's Rule 5 Draft.

Niemann came up well short in the final voting trailing Andrew Bailey, Elvis Andrus, and Rick Porcello but it cannot be considered a disappointment considering just how awful his season started and ended.

Longoria: Dude, relax, Andy H just said you had the two best starts of the year.

More than 200 Major Leaguers will potentially be eligible for salary arbitration this offseason, including several All-Stars from last season such as Tim Lincecum, Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander, Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Hamilton, Shane Victorino and Josh Johnson.

This is part 5 of the 6 part series on the best 30 starts for the Rays in our most recent season.

As Tampa Bay Rays followers, we knew it wouldn't be long. As the Yankees close in our their latest purchase of another World Series, there's a stark realization that Tampa Bay fans must face.

Alright gentlemen and lady , I wanted to continue the look at some of the best starts the Rays had this year.

Speaking of that Delmon Young deal... With knowledge comes responsibility to review the past.

The Rays saw from the batters box just how dominating Cole Hamels was through last postseason as he baffled them twice on his way to the World Series MVP award.

Hey Bissinger...the latest nerdfighter-style happydance project is over. You can stop now.

Without the resources of other AL East teams, Andrew Friedman, right, has to make fewer mistakes than rival GMs.

Terry Francona, Clay Buchholz, Jason Bay and Dustin Pedroia did their duty Saturday afternoon by representing the Red Sox at individual press briefings.

Last year, SS Jason Bartlett and RHP Matt Garza got to play in the postseason with the Rays, whiletheir former Twins teammates - along withINF Brendan Harris and OF Delmon Young,the two key players who went toMinnesota in the big trade- could only watch.

The Rays set team records for runs, homers, walks and on-base percentage this season, but they dumped hitting coach Steve Henderson 1n Monday.

They opened their home schedule hanging their American League pennant in front of the Yankees , and they'll finish it today watching as the Yankees head off into the playoffs seeking the next one.

It's a right of passage, per se. For starting pitchers, few numbers are more important than 200, which is pretty much the goal for the number of innings in a season.

TV/radio: FSN; 620-AM, 680-AM Probable pitchers: Rays: RHP Matt Garza Rangers: RHP Kevin Millwood Watch for Garza in gear: Garza, who snapped his winless streak at a career-high nine starts in his last outing, has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 22 of his 30 starts this year, including 20 of his past 26.

The conquest for "an ace" has lead many teams astray. Recent history gives us the 2008 Mariners as a team that ignored wounds elsewhere on the roster in favor of shipping an assortment of young talent to another club for a marketable frontline pitcher.

Texas moved within six games of Boston for the AL wild card with eight to play. The Red Sox lost 3-0 to the New York Yankees earlier in the day.