For a while, this was the duel that I honestly expected that it would be. Kid K and Josh Beckett fired back-and-forth at each other, with Beckett seemingly on the ropes in the early innings, while Kazmir was the victim of some poor defense from his catcher.

The problem for Kazmir was that his pitch-count went up quickly as he racked up 9 Ks and 4 walks in 5 innings. Beckett, meanwhile, got stronger and the Rays' offense had no answer as the game grew older. There's a reason Josh Beckett is a Cy Young-award front-runner. He's just that good.

On the other hand, the Rays' offense completed the disappearing act by racking up a grand total of 4 hits - none of them after the 3rd - while finding a way to strike out 13 times. Sure, the Sox total of 17 strikeouts was even more abysmal, but they found a way to score 8 runs.

Then, just to ensure that this game truly was a microcosm for the entire season, the bullpen was rocked over the final 2 innings, putting this one out of reach.

Ray of Light - Scott Kazmir: He was great, despite the lack of innings tonight.

Drowner - Jeff Ridgway: He's faced 4 batters this year, and he's allowed 4 batters to reach base. Gotta love those infinite ERAs.

As you've probably already read today, somethingawful.com leaked the new Rays logo and unis today. And, like the site's name, they are something awful. (Something Awful)

I'm a huge fan of the green that we've got now. I love the home whites, too. Blue is so overused. Don't get me wrong, I love things that are blue - blue jeans, blueberries, Blue Oyster Cult - but I don't see what this new scheme accomplishes. All it does is make us look very plain and very much like very other team. Oh well.

Apologies to anyone who checks back here to see if I've posted anything, but I've been fully entrenched with writing at Rays of Light. Watching tonight's game (10-1 now in the 6th) made me want to swing by and see if anything was going on.

Hey everyone! Hope you are all doing well.

Just a reminder that if you like my writing, you can still find it at www.futurerays.com. We're got a solid little team at Rays of Light, and it would be great if you would join our community, too!

I've heard some people say there were disappointed that I joined with a different website, but I think its the best to make sure that I can give you the most well-rounded Rays coverage around.

Shoot me an email and tell me what you think - and I'll see you at the Trop!

Reposted from Rays of Light, where I do most of my writing...

Crack. The bat. Slap. The glove. Roar. The crowd.

It's spring again. Thoughts of melting snow, longer days, and the fast-approaching summer inspire many. For the digital generation, more comfortable at a drive-thru than a picnic, many of these thoughts are lost. For a baseball fan, the feelings never die. The first pitch. The first out. The first hot dog. The first game.

As cliché as it is, everyone is a contender come April 1. In 28 cities, 30 teams all have 30 different hopes and 30 different inspirations. In Kansas City, the fans hope that Gil Meche can help turn the Royals from doormat to spoiler. In New York, two sets of fans dream of a subway series. In Anaheim, Atlanta, Chicago, and Boston, fans have their collective fingers crossed for October baseball.

In Baltimore, they wonder where the franchise lost its way. In Cleveland, they still remember the one that got away. In Miami, they wonder how long their star player will be in town. In Arlington, a new manager brings new hopes. In Toronto, an upstart team with an upstart GM tries to complete its climb up baseball's Mount Everest. In Washington, they wonder how important Alfonso Soriano really was.

In Pittsburgh, they hope that thoughts don't turn to football in May. In San Diego, they wonder if pitching really does win championships. In Arizona, they pray that a 43-year-old arm can carry an entire franchise on it. In Houston, life after the hometown boy rode off into the sunset begins. In Philadelphia, Upton and Rollins draw comparisons of legendary proportions.

In St. Louis, its no longer "why not us?" but "why not us again?" In Detroit, fans hope that 2006 wasn't a fluke. In San Francisco, fans wonder how long the circus will stay in town. In Colorado, they just want to be noticed and be relevant. In Oakland, Beane-ball is in session again, hoping to sneak into another postseason.

In Milwaukee, there is a promise of reclaiming the potential that escaped them just a year ago. In Seattle, a young team with a young fan base searches for an identity. In Cincinnati, pitching is finally king. In Los Angeles, they wonder if they really can outrun the competition. In Minneapolis, the little engine that could wants to recapture the magic that Kirby Puckett took with him.

And in Tampa Bay... an upstart young team with now-veteran owners are trying to compete. Not just with the beasts of the AL East, but with a fan base that is indifferent. With a fan base that doesn't care about you unless you are winning. With a fan base that doesn't know who they are. On April 1st, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays will be in first place. It may be the only time this year that the team can boast that, but there's always that hope that keeps the real fans coming to the park, watching the games, and reminding us why baseball will always be America's pastime.

Opening Day is almost here. Play ball.

When out and about along the D-Rays network, I picked up on the following story and wanted to pass it out for the class to read.

Jayson Stark, and re-reported by MLB Trade Rumors, threw out this interesting possibility during the week:    

Despite talk of the Marlins and Devil Rays reviving their long-rumored deal involving Rocco Baldelli, Florida actually appears to be more focused on the younger (and cheaper) B.J. Upton and Elijah Dukes as center field possibilities.

Ha! The joke's on Florida if they think that B.J. can be anything but a sign post in the field. In all seriousness, looking at the Marlins' roster, there seems to be very little of value that would be given up in a trade like this. Of course, the Rays' goal would be pitching, and I understand there's a logjam in the Rays platoon-outfield-Durham-carry my bags rookie! club, but I hate the thought of giving up good talent in return for something mediocre, even if it addresses a team need. Hopefully A-Fried and company see it this way, too.

Got my tix for the home opener a few nights ago... hope you all got yours, too. :)

Credit goes to the team over at NoMaas.org for digging this picture up. If you have any interest in reading from a group of devoted, knowledgable Yankee fans, they are a great place to go.

Anyways... the title says it all. Schilling is HUGE.

In the notes posted today on DevilRays.com...

And then Maddon was asked about talented youngster Delmon Young.

Maddon smiled.

"I think he will tell you that he's going to boggle your mind," Maddon said. "And I'm good with that. ... This guy is out to make a mark on this game. God bless him. I'm with him. He's different. ... He wants to be a complete player."

What the heck does that mean? I'm not even sure there was a coherent thought there. My mind is boggled, all right. Well done, Joe.

In Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein's Top 100 Prospects list, the Rays have managed to claim 3 of the top 11 spots, and 7 out of the Top 100. Not too shabby. If you don't care to peruse the entire list, here's the Top 5 and all the Rays...

1. Alex Gordon, 3B, KC
2. Phillip Hughes, RHP, NYY
3. Delmon Young, OF, TB
4. Homer Bailey, RHP, CIN
5. Brandon Wood, SS, ANA

    10. Evan Longoria, 3B, TB
    11. Reid Brignac, SS, TB
    25. Jeff Niemann, RHP, TB
    45. Jacob McGee, LHP, TB
    77. Wade Davis, RHP, TB
    100. Elijah Dukes, OF, TB

Not too shabby at all.