Matt Garza channeled his inner Jimmy Rollins before last night’s game, boasting that the first-place Rays should be a source of emulation for the world-champion Yankees.
“Right now in the standings, they should be comparing themselves to us,” Garza said. “We’re three games up. They’re three games down. That’s what I see. Our numbers, staff-wise, are better than theirs . . . knock on wood. We’ve done our job. So why is there a need for comparison? They should be trying to compare to us, trying to do what we do because right now we have found a winning formula.”
Last night, the Rays backed up Garza’s claim, acting like a first-place team should by beating a second-place club in its own building as Tampa Bay extended its division lead to four games with a 10-6 win.
How the Rays have risen to the best record in the majors is a far different path than the one taken in The Bronx.
The Yankees’ payroll is $134 million higher than the Rays. The Yankees play in front of the league’s second-highest average attendance, while Tampa Bay is 21st. The veteran-laden Yankees are the fifth-oldest team in baseball, while the Rays are the sixth youngest, with a slew of homegrown players. Every number is bigger in New York — except for the wins.
“They’re more used to the veteran-type stuff up here, so we’re just a breath of fresh air for everyone else to open their eyes,” Garza said. “Who cares if we’re young? That’s just an ignorant word right now. Young is not an issue. What’s so surprising? That we’re going out there and getting outs? We’ve done it before. We can keep doing it. If the Yankees are doing it then it’s, ‘Oh, it’s the Yankees.’ ”
In last night’s win, the Rays demonstrated how they have attained the second-highest scoring offense, and despite a four-run, ninth-inning hiccup from their bullpen, still maintain the best ERA in baseball. They also displayed their penchant for dead-ball era tactics, executing a sacrifice bunt, steals, double steals and scoring from second on a sacrifice fly. It’s no wonder their confidence is as prevalent as transplanted New Yorkers at Tropicana Field.
“I think we have a good matchup against them for sure,” said James Shields, who starts tonight.
Said Carl Crawford, “It’s just one game, but it helps get our confidence up. We just know we can play well here.”
Manager Joe Maddon’s diversely talented team showcased every weapon in their arsenal, reminding the champions who won the pennant in 2008, and who has every reason to believe they can do it again.
“That’s just how we want to play. It’s more of the liberal arts form of playing baseball,” Maddon said. “I want us to be able to play every component of the game well. That’s what we preach. Athletically, we’re able to do that and why not? I think at the end of the year when you get to the playoff situation, being multi-faceted makes it much more difficult for the other team.”