Scott Kazmir

This is the second in my new series in which I will name what I feel are the top ten players in each MLB franchise's history.

Despite a slow start as a franchise, the Rays finally seem to be heading in the right direction, as years of drafting at the top of the draft have led to a bevy of talented young players.

I have included the players stats during their time with the team, as well as where those stats rank all-time for within the franchise.

I look forward to hearing where you the reader would differ in your top ten, and I welcome your comments.

Trades. The complexity is unbelievable, yet the goal is simple. Throughout the years, thousands of trades have taken place. In some situations, a trade works out great for both teams involved. For example, prior to the 2008 season, Josh Hamilton was traded from the Cincinnati Reds to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Edinson Volquez. Hamilton played fantastically in 2008, hitting .304 with 32 home runs and 130 RBI's, which led baseball.

Entering the holiday weekend, the Rays came in as one of the hottest teams in baseball.

When it was over, the Texas Rangers were in first place, and the Rays fell further behind in both the AL East divisional race and the AL wildcard chase.

Texas swept Tampa Bay by silencing the red-hot bats of the Rays and taking advantage of uncharacteristic defensive lapses in their three-game sweep.

So far this season, the Tampa Bay Rays' pitching staff has looked more like a M.A.S.H unit. Even though there are still pitchers on the disabled list, there are reasons for hope in St. Petersburg. Here are some reasons why the Rays' pitchers will help the Rays contend during the second half of the season:

1. Scott Kazmir's return from the D.L.

Despite sitting in 4th place in the American League East with a 37-35 record, the Tampa Bay Rays' season is not over just yet.

They have scored the most runs in the AL, and have an expected Win-Loss record of 42-30. Their expected W-L (based on runs scored and runs against) would put them in second place in their division, with the second best record in the AL.

This team is still stacked, and still improving. They are about as close as you can be to a complete offensive club. They hit, they run, and they hit for power.

With two months of the 2009 MLB Season into the record books, we are coming back to reality as we expected it to be this season.

The great starts of the Florida Marlins and the Toronto Blue Jays caught the eye of the public earlier in the year, questioning if they can stay on top of their respective divisions.

The Marlins went cold for weeks after their hot start, while the Blue Jays suffered a losing streak that has brought them into third place in the AL East.

Speaking of the great East, how about them Rays?

It’s time to look at the potential two-start options for the upcoming fantasy week.  If I have someone rated as a three, four or five-star option, they are someone I would definitely use. 

A two-star option is someone who is borderline, but I’d strongly lean against it unless I have no other options.  The one-star options are an absolutely not scenario.

So, with that said, let’s take a look at the players available to you this week:

5-Star Options:

May 3, 2007: The (then) Devil Rays sat two games under .500 at 13-15, fans were cautiously optimistic, but the team was on its way to another dismal finish, a full 30 games out of first place.

Just one year later, the Rays were two games over .500, 16-14, and champing at the bit to get their Ace back. They had improved over there previous season by four games and done so without strikeout artist Scott Kazmir.

Tampa Bay Rays (6-10) at Oakland Athletics (5-9)

BetUS MLB betting odds: Rays -135, Athletics +115, Total 8

Left-hander Scott Kazmir will take the mound for Tampa Bay, while righty-hander Trevor Cahill does the honors for Oakland.

Here are some of the MLB Baseball betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
(Numbers go back to last season)