There are many occasions in which Maddon’s stubbornness benefits the team. His positive attitude during extremely negative stretches works wonders, and there’s no questioning the overall great job he does with the team. But at some point, his loyalty and patience goes a little too far. There’s absolutely nothing to suggest that Shelton is making these guys hit better. He didn’t even do well in his previous stints and the team has slowly gotten worse since he’s arrived despite getting better on paper. Their approach at the plate never changes based on the situation, and that is perhaps the biggest concern. I really feel like a change in hitting coach needs to be made this offseason. As hitting is such a mental thing, simply bringing in a new face could potentially improve things quite a bit, and Lord knows they certainly can’t get a whole lot worse.

Pitching. Well, that’s another story. Up until last week the era of the entire staff for the month of August was below 2.00 at 1.98. It jumped a little, but is still a mark any team would drool over.

And as far as managing. Who knows how good a manager Joe Maddon is this year. Given that pitching staff, it seems like Jim Hickey is the Manager of the year. Given that starr, what should Maddon’s winning percentage be?

This is the same one and done team that made the playoffs in game 162. Unfortunately, that was the highlight in a rapid march to “one and done” last year. Friedmans efforts to bring in a run producer in Scott and Pena replacing Damon and Kotchman failed. The window on the incredible pitching remains open for the Rays for at least a few more years, but without a bold ($$$$) acquisition of offense no run to the world series is possible. There is no Atlanta Braves approach in the American League East. Ya gotta score runs to win in these here parts.