BaseballBiz On Deck

Opening Day RaysUp - Tampa Bay Rays & Toronto Blue Jays with Mat Germain

March 28, 2024 @TheBaseballBiz Episode 226
BaseballBiz On Deck
Opening Day RaysUp - Tampa Bay Rays & Toronto Blue Jays with Mat Germain
Show Notes

Mat Germain & Mark Corbett – Tampa Bay Rays MLB Opening Day Eve give #RaysUp fans the lowdown

  • Tampa Bay Rays Roster Prep for 2024 season
  • Blake Snell finally signs a contract, what about Tommy Pham
  • Austin Shenton moves up from AAA Durham Bulls to MLB Rays for Opening Day
  • First 2 weeks of the schedule includes Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants & the Dodgers
  • What to expect with the Dodgers with Tyler Glasnow when facing the Rays
  • Giants have Bob Melving as Manager and Dusty Baker in the front office.
  • Japanese Players adapting to MLB how do teams help them, Yoshi Tsutsugo
  • Rays trade Uwasawa
  • AL East rivalries and the excitement of opening day.
  • "We're here to stay" and the progress on the new stadium.
  • Zach Eflin opening day pitcher for the #TBRays.
  • Toronto Blue Jays, Jose Berrios as the opposing pitcher and his performance last season.
  • What will be the outcome of the opening series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
  • They discuss the Rays' performance in spring training and notable players like Willy Adames and Shane McClanahan.
  • Brendan McKay's return from injury and his potential impact on the team.
  • Evan Longoria's status and Mike Zunino's recent retirement.
  • Rays' acquisition of Ben Rortvedt from the Yankees and his impact on the team. Other options, Rene Pinto, Francisco Mejia & Alex Jackson
  • Mat’s projected Opening Day #TBRays Lineup includes Yandy Diaz, Harold Ramirez DH as no-brainers
  • Players ability to adapt to a new culture - Yoshi Tsutsugo with the Rays 
  • Rays traded Uwasawa to Red Sox – empowering a divisional rival
  • Rays front office flexibility to try new things, as when they brought on Nelson Cruz
  • Wander Franco still on the 40 man roster – when will Rays be able to drop him and make room for another player
  • Mat’s Annual #Rays Predictions include 
  • 10  #Rays will hit double digits in HR 
  • 9 Hitters will have SO% below 25%
  • 4 pitchers will earn 10+ wins 3: significant in-season trades will occur 
  • 2 Pinto will have 2nd highest fWAR among C in AL
  • Length of the #Rays lineup
  • Rene Pinto will have 2nd highest fWAR among C in AL
  • Fans Quick Twitch response to Rays Offseason
  • Mat offer’s Rays fans chance to rate the Rays Offseason Scouting Scale
  •  Outstanding?
  • On a scouting scale (20 being lowest, 80 being highest), how would you rate the #Rays offseason? #MLB
  • You can still vote and see the results at https://twitter.com/Mat_Germain_/status/1773069550684160042
  • Mat will be making some bold predictions on x.com  https://twitter.com/Mat_Germain_

Prepare for the Joy of MLB Opening Day

Thanks to Mat Germain for bringing his knowledge, wit and wisdom to the show. You can catch find more of Mat on Twitter x.com @Mat_Germain_   
 Mark can be found on Twitter @TheBaseballBiz & at http://www.baseballbizondeck.com
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Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward”