[jbock13]

Here's an interesting question, do you all think there should be more Interleague games than there are now? I mean if you think about it, you play only 13 teams (in the AL), plus only 3 NL teams.

Only problem I can see with it is the whole DH rule.

[aredd33]

Where did you get that AL teams only play 3 NL teams?

[jbock13]

Okay, 5. My bad. Looking at the Rays schedule. Some NL teams only play 4 AL teams because the NL is bigger.

[Sly Fox]

I'm currently in Tampa finding it amusing that people down here actually seem to care about the Rays. They were like the invisible franchise here just a couple of years ago. And the Trop still looks to me like the leaning stadium of Pisa.

[jbock13]

I'm currently in Tampa finding it amusing that people down here actually seem to care about the Rays. They were like the invisible franchise here just a couple of years ago. And the Trop still looks to me like the leaning stadium of Pisa.

haha we love the Trop. But it's funny, everybody likes them now, but still nobody shows up for the games.

I can't make sense of it. Every summer I get a flight from Roanoke to Saint Petersburg and go to a series. Usually when they play in Baltimore I go as well. Yet, most of these fans complain that they have to drive across the Bay from Tampa.

[aredd33]

I personally hate interleague play.

[jbock13]

I'm not really sure what I think about Interleague play. I was just curious what everyone thought. I used to be in favor of it but now, as I grow older and become more of a traditionalist, I'm not such of a big fan.

[NG33]

Personally I enjoy Interleague games. It makes it easier to actually get a ticket to a Red Sox game since it sells out slower than a normal game.

[jbock13]

The Rays have won 4 straight!

[thepostman]

I'm currently in Tampa finding it amusing that people down here actually seem to care about the Rays. They were like the invisible franchise here just a couple of years ago. And the Trop still looks to me like the leaning stadium of Pisa.

what brought you here??

People love the Rays, their gear is everywhere...but the majority of their following is east of the bay and the combination of higher gas prices, one of the worse cities hit with the economic downfall, and the stadium being in an absolutely horrible, uncentral location all combine for a perfect storm. The Rays will never consistently draw unless they move to Tampa....

ps...I hate the trop and have never met anybody here that likes it

[jbock13]

oh and for the record I don't really love the trop lol

[thepostman]

ok good...because that place is horrible

[jbock13]

ok good...because that place is horrible

I've always said with the lease issues with moving to Tampa, they might just try taking the roof off the Trop. Not sure if it's as simple as that, but it's an idea.

[Cider Jim]

The Rays have won 4 straight!

My O's have LOST 6 straight.

[jbock13]

The Rays have won 4 straight!

My O's have LOST 6 straight.

But at least you all got to taste winning for awhile But I mean you've played the Yankees and Rangers... it's not like those are bad teams. I'd continue to be optimistic if I were an O's fan.

[flamehunter]

And the Pirates flirtation with .500 ball seems over as well. Maybe next year...

[thepostman]

ok good...because that place is horrible

I've always said with the lease issues with moving to Tampa, they might just try taking the roof off the Trop. Not sure if it's as simple as that, but it's an idea.

leases are made to be broken, but since the ownership group expect some other government to pay their way out of the lease its not going to happen for a while...

Also taking the roof off would just be an added excuse for people not to make the trip....90 and high humidity in the heart of summer would simply be another excuse for people not to come...

BUT a retractable roof would be amazing, but it would be a waste to put anymore money into a stadium in st pete...its not centrally located at all and baseball will never work there...I do believe at some point the city of st pete and the rays will come to some kind of agreement where both sides can be happy...but both sides have to be wiling to actually talk

[jbock13]

ok good...because that place is horrible

I've always said with the lease issues with moving to Tampa, they might just try taking the roof off the Trop. Not sure if it's as simple as that, but it's an idea.

leases are made to be broken, but since the ownership group expect some other government to pay their way out of the lease its not going to happen for a while...

Also taking the roof off would just be an added excuse for people not to make the trip....90 and high humidity in the heart of summer would simply be another excuse for people not to come...

BUT a retractable roof would be amazing, but it would be a waste to put anymore money into a stadium in st pete...its not centrally located at all and baseball will never work there...I do believe at some point the city of st pete and the rays will come to some kind of agreement where both sides can be happy...but both sides have to be wiling to actually talk

My concern is that its very likely they will be moved or contracted if they don't find a new stadium. I used to drive from Orlando to St. Pete for the games and yeah, I know exactly what you mean. The ideal location would be on the east side of Tampa, easily accessible to I-4 so they can tap more of the Orlando market. Sure its still an hour drive on a good day, but it beats the 2 hour drive that it is currently.

[Schfourteenteen]

I'm a fan of the western side of Tampa.....they might as well build it just south of Raymond James and share parking lots.

[thepostman]

that wouldn't be bad...I love the thought of a stadium in downtown tampa. I think they could make it really special but I doubt that is ever going to happen. At best it will be on the Pinellas side of the Howard Frankland bridge just so they don't feel like they are completely losing the team...

[LUminary]

My O's have LOST 6 straight.

Now it's 7. I don't know which hurts worse, being swept by the Yankees or the Indians. This is so frustrating after such a nice start.

[Cider Jim]

As hopeful as I was with the off season signings of Vlad, Lee, Reynolds, and Hardy, now it seems like the same old O's--and they are just painful to watch right now.

I wish we could find a place for Fox in the lineup, after he hit both a dinger and a triple yesterday. And I really wish we could cut Gonzalez loose.

[LUminary]

Yup, Fox sure put up some numbers in the preseason. And I have no confidence in this bullpen other than Koji and maybe Berken. I know it happens, but Gregg blowing that save against the Yankees after we were up 5-0 was demoralizing.

[jbock13]

LUminary, I probably don't need to tell you this but Gregg is not a good closer at all.

Postman, agreed, it's all about location. I'm sure you know about how the Rays have tried hard to tap into the Orlando market in the past few years. Unfortunately, with the stadium where it is, it's not likely to happen.

[Kolzilla41]

The O's are doing the same thing they do every year.....Making me care less and less about baseball....Interestingly enough I'm at about 0 with the Caps in the playoffs.