The biggest difference between last year's last-place Tampa Bay Devil Rays and this year's first-place Tampa Bay Rays?
You mean aside from the name change and the ugly uniforms?
Yeah, aside from those. The obvious answer is pitching. After all, last year the Rays finished the season ranked eighth in the American League in scoring; this year they're sixth, up just two slots.
Pitching, though? Last year they finished with a 5.53 ERA, 14th (last) in the American League. This year they've got a 3.69 ERA, fourth best in the AL.
Last night during the NESN broadcast, Don Orsillo said this: "I would have to say, Jerry, that that has been the biggest difference for the Rays, their pitching. Starting pitching."
Actually, the Rays' relief pitching has improved dramatically this season, too. But what about the defense?
This year they're better at second base, where Akinori Iwamura has replaced the likes of B.J. Upton, Brendan Harris, and Ty Wigginton. They're better at shortstop, where Jason Bartlett has replaced Harris and Josh Wilson. And they're better at third base, where Evan Longoria has replaced Iwamura.
The outfield defense may be slightly better this season, too. But the improvement in the infield has been dramatic.
It's funny. Early in last night's broadcast, we were told exactly one thing about each team's defense: its fielding percentage.
Really? In 2008?
Fielding percentage tells us almost nothing. Meanwhile, there's an incredibly simple statistic that tells us almost everything. Defensive Efficiency -- invented by Bill James in 1975 -- never really has caught on, which is sort of bizarre because it essentially answers a most basic question: "When a batted ball is put into play against a team, what percentage of the time does that team succeed in turning that ball into an out?"
In 2007, the Tampa Bay defense turned 66.2 percent of balls in play into outs. That figure was 30th best in the majors.
In 2008, the Tampa Bay defense has turned 72 percent of balls in play into outs. That figure is second best in the majors.
Yes, the pitchers probably have a little something to do with that fantastic improvement. But only a little. Major league pitchers, as we know, don't have much control over what happens when a ball's put into play.
Which isn't to say the pitchers aren't pitching better. This year they're walking fewer batters than they walked last year, and they're giving up many fewer home runs than they gave up last year. Thanks to starter Matt Garza and a vastly improved relief corps, the pitching really is making a big difference. Everybody, including the pitchers and the manager and the coaches, deserves credit for the Rays' turnaround this season. But let's save some of that credit for the guys making all those plays in the field.
Rob Neyer
