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Last night was the win of the year for me - Erased an 8-run deficit in less than 4 innings. - All 11 hitters got on base at least once (8 of them at least twice). - 18 total hits & went 9 for 13 with RISP. - Bullpen tossed 7.2 no-hit, no-walk innings after the Laureano homer.

Curtis Mead is hitting .317/.397/.517 (164 wRC+) since May 1st. He is on a short list of players who have both a 73+ mph bat speed & a sub 20% whiff rate this year: Juan Soto Yandy Diaz Vinnie Pasquantino Curtis Mead Drake Baldwin

The Rays are calling up RHP Paul Gervase. Since he was acquired at last year’s deadline he owns a ridiculous 40.1 K% and 6.4 BB% across 51 innings. He’s 6’10” but throws from a really low release with huge extension. 93-95 FB paired with a CT & SW.

What do you think the Rays biggest trade deadline need is?

Very small samples here but if you split Ha-Seong Kim’s rehab stint in half you see improvement across the board the more he’s played: First 8 G: .183 wOBA, .264 xwOBA, 20% Whiff Last 9 G: .391 wOBA, .340 xwOBA, 14% Whiff He is likely to be activated in the coming days.

Not sure if/how the Rays will upgrade the position player mix at the deadline, but Cedric Mullins is doing some interesting things this year. Career high in Air Pull% which could play well at GMS. Power output is up, defense & speed still plus. Should be an available rental.

Bullpen help! Bryan Baker has a legitimate 3-pitch mix and pounds the strike zone. One of the highest K-BB% rates among all relievers this year, and has 3.5 years of team control. This is a significant addition to a struggling pen.

This is a very interesting trade, and the return explains why it’s happening now. I cannot confirm this yet, but this may be the first time the Rays have ever traded AWAY a competitive balance pick? Please let me know if it’s ever happened before.

This exact draft framework looks to be shaping up again for the Rays. 5 picks, 5 hitters. I’d expect a ton of college arms today.

Two big wins out of the break. Per FanGraphs Baseball, Rays playoff odds have jumped 12% since Friday and are now neck & neck with Boston. All other AL teams have sub-25% playoff odds. 10 games until the trade deadline.

FWIW there are a number of unsung relievers on both sides here with intriguing mixes. Some names who’ve caught my eye: Stewart, Varland, Sands, Coulombe for MIN. Halvorsen, Vodnik, Mejia, Bird for COL.

Since the start of 2022, Stuart Fairchild owns the best Z - O Swing% in baseball. (min. 600 PA). He excels at discerning strikes from balls:

Since June 1st Edwin Uceta owns the third highest strikeout rate in all of baseball. 1. Aroldis Chapman 50.9% 2. Bryan Abreu 50.6% 3. Edwin Uceta 44.9% (min. 10 IP)

Will Pete Fairbanks be a Ray on August 1st?