GIVE ME ONE REASON...

GIVE ME ONE REASON...

...WHY THE RAYS ONLY WIN GAMES WHERE THEY SCORE 172 RUNS.
Let's take a look at the disparity between the number of runs the Rays are scoring in their wins versus the runs they are scoring in defeat. Under normal circumstances you could give me a big "duh" on this, but the run differential is crazy: In the 5 games that the Rays have won so far this season they've averaged 8.6 runs per game whereas in the 8 losses they've averaged only 2.4 runs per game. So is the pitching/defense so bad that they need to put up 9 runs per game to get a W? No! A resounding "no". Then why?

...WHY EVERYONE SUDDENLY FEELS LIKE JOE MADDON IS CLUELESS.
So CC and Upton have both been made to look foolish several times by playing too shallow, and a few opposing players have taken advantage of some overly-zealous shifts, but why is every Rays' fan in the universe suddenly convinced that Joe Maddon is completely clueless? Yes, a few mistakes have been exposed, and yes a few odd bullpen decisions have been made, but suddenly the same people who praised Joe's progressive thinking with shifts and bullpen management last season are organizing lynch mobs early in this one. Listen, I don't agree with a few of the decisions that Joe has made so far, but it's easy to sit here as an outsider and pick apart every coaching decision in retrospect, but lets not forget that part of what led to the Rays success last season was Joe's philosophies and formulas for winning, so sit back relax and leave the managing to the defending AL Manager of The Year.
I'll make you a deal, the first time the Rays fall to 12 games behind the AL East leader I'll grab the rope and help organize the mob. Until then, open a Corona and relax baby, its baseball season.