Inside Pitch Podcast

The Rays begin the most difficult portion of their remaining schedule by falling to the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Steve discusses how this stretch will not only determine whether Tampa Bay gets into the postseason but what kind of success they could have in the playoffs.

The Rays begin a two-game series at Dodger Stadium tonight, and Steve discusses expectations from Blake Snell, who makes his first start after elbow surgery, and the rest of the staff. We also talk about Luis Severino making his 2019 debut for the Yankees tonight and former Rays farmhand Felipe Vazquez is in hot water with the law.

The Rays can't finish off a sweep of the Los Angeles Angels, as Ryan Yarbrough loses both of his starts to them this season. Steve also details how another American League East team destined for the postseason is also getting healthier

The Rays earn a second straight win in Anaheim to keep pace in the American League Wild Card race, plus we start to look at individual awards for players and manager Kevin Cash.

The Rays end their two game skid with a win in Anaheim to remain in the second wild card, and could be getting as many as three of their biggest contributors back before the end of the regular season.

The Rays fall out of the top wild card spot after dropping the final two games in Arlington, but Steve wants to focus on the fun that should be had by Rays fans as the team looks for its first playoff berth in six years.

The Rays see their winning streak end while both the Athletics and Indians gain a game on Tampa Bay in the race for the postseason. Steve discusses how even though Kevin Cash's players have the most difficult schedule by winning percentage, they should still finish with one of the wild card spots in the American League

While we are excited that Tampa Bay opened their road trip with their sixth consecutive win and maintained their lead over both Oakland and Cleveland, Steve also has a story about being in the military on September 11, 2001, and how his life changed forever on that day.

The Rays begin their last multi-city road trip tonight in Arlington, and Steve begins to answer questions about things incidental to making the playoffs with a little trepidation

Steve discusses Sunday's finish of a four-game sweep against Toronto that finishes a ten-game homestand with nine victories (hence the new play on the old Sam Wyche adage), and details why the turnaround of the pitching staff could be a reason this Rays team not only makes the playoffs but can make a mark in the playoffs.