Matt Garza to Save the Chicago Cubs

Matt Garza helped the Tampa Bay Rays go from worst to first, why wouldn't he be able to bring the Chicago Cubs their first World Championship since 1908? Clearly, it's a matter of science.

The 27-year-old right-hander was traded to the Cubs this weekend in an eight-player deal that brings outfielder Fernando Perez and lefty Zachary Rosscup along with him. Meanwhile, the Rays get promising righty Chris Archer, shortstop Hak-Ju Lee, catcher Robinson Chirinos, as well as outfielders Sam Fuld and Brandon Guyer.

Way To Go, Matt Garza!

After being on the losing end of TWO no hitters this season (one being a perfect game, no less!), the Rays have reason to celebrate. Matt Garza tossed the first no hitter in Rays history on Monday Night, shutting down the Tigers.

The contest started out as quite the pitchers duel, as Detroit's Max Scherzer kept the Rays hitless into the sixth inning. He ended up loading the bases without a hit, giving up two walks plus an error by catcher Gerald Laird, and then Matt Joyce hit it out for a grand slam. So much for Scherzer's no-no.

Hip Hip....

HORRAYS!

RAYS WIN! RAYS WIN!

HOORAY!

I'll let the other BLB post some pics of our Tampa heroes and the heartbroken Boston fans, as I have to get on a plane in a few short hours.
I'd like to thank Matt Garza for the best wedding gift ever.

Rays In, Red Sox Out

In one of the more entertaining ALCS playoff series this year, the Tampa Bay Rays finally drove the last nail into the Boston Red Sox coffin tonight as they won 3-1, overpowering the intimidating offense with amazing pitching by starter Matt Garza, and relief pitching including September newcomer David Price, who earned the save.

Jon Lester also offered up a pretty sweet pitching effort but the Rays' bats hit enough to bring in the three runs to win the game. Wille Aybar pulled out the long ball against Lester in the seventh inning and represented the 26th home run in this ALCS, breaking the record by one run for home runs hit in a single LCS. Cool.

You Can't Touch This

Matt Garza tossed 7.2 scoreless innings Saturday night to aid the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays in a 6-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, their second victory since riding a 7-game losing streak into the All-Star break.

The righty allowed just two hits -- both singles -- striking out six and walking none. This gem comes on the tail of a horrible outing where Garza surrendered seven runs on 11 hits in their 8-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians.

The Tampa Bay Rays are Serious

Remember when the Tampa Bay Rays defense was like a circus act and their lineup was kind of a joke? Like... two years ago?

Well, don't let the sun-shiny logo fool you. They are straight us business now.

Coming off a weekend sweep of the Los Angeles Angels, the Rays pounded the New York Yankees 7-1 Monday night for their fifth consecutive win, inching within a half-game of the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox. This last victory was a bit sweeter, as they defeated evil nemesis Andy Pettitte, who allowed five runs on eight hits over just four innings of work after a previous record of 8-1 at Tropicana Field.

Minnesota, Tampa Bay Warm Up the Hot Stove

The Minnesota Twins have finally given up some young pitching for decent hitting, sending Matt Garza to the Tampa Bay Rays in a six-player trade along with shortstop Jason Bartlett and bullpen prospect Eduardo Morlan for promising outfielder Delmon Young, middle infielder Brendan Harris and minor league outfielder Jason Pridie.

The 22-year-old Young, who didn't miss a game in 2007, was runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year and gives the Twins a much-needed boost to the outfield and batting order in the absence of Torii Hunter. Michael Cuddyer is expected to patrol right field, so Young will most likely take over in left so Jason Kubel can destroy all my hopes and dreams by becoming the primary DH. That is, unless Craig Monroe magically becomes a power-hitter.

Kubel hit 16 bombs and 65 RBIs last season and is incredibly injury-prone. Basically, he's the last guy to strike fear into the opposition. However, new GM Bill Smith says there's work to be done to solidify center field and third base, so the Twins aren't done making moves yet.

Top prospect Garza gives the Rays a solid starter behind Scott Kazmir and James Shields. He went 5-7 with a 3.69 ERA in 16 appearances -- 15 starts -- for the Twins after he was called up mid-season.

Bartlett, 28, batted .265 with five homers, 43 RBIs and 23 steals in 510 at-bats last season, making 26 errors at short. Harris hit .286 with 12 homers, 35 doubles and 59 RBIs in 521 at-bats in his first full season as a starter, spending time at both spots up the middle, making 11 errors.

All in all, this trade fires me up and has me brimming with speculative optimism for the winter meetings next week.

***See the Bat Girl Lego Reenactment HERE!

[ESPN]

Sidney Ponson Having Visa Issues

Although a visa has been approved, Minnesota Twins righthander Sidney Ponson might be unable to pitch in a spring training game for nearly two weeks. He is scheduled to obtain his visa is on March 9th in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the day of the Twins' 10th spring training game.

Apparently, an immigration lawyer advised Ponson to get the wrong type of visa. Most players obtain P-1 visas - earmarked for international athletes - in order to play here in the big leagues. He was advised to obtain an O visa, one that is "specifically for the admission of persons with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business and athletics" which doesn't necessarily describe Ponson.

Ron Gardenhire is not happy.

[Getting the visa] hasn't been done. Who's dropping the ball? I know we're not dropping the ball, so somebody on his side, whether it's himself or his agent, needs to get this taken care of.

In other Twins news, if you're vying for a spot on the 40-man roster, now is not the time to have neck problems.

Right-hander Matt Garza felt a slight pain in his upper neck along with headaches while throwing Saturday batting practice and will undergo a CAT scan. Garza felt a slight pain in his upper neck while throwing batting practice on Saturday. If he actually misses any time this spring due to the injury, he will likely lose out on a spot in the rotation and start the season in the minors.

Infielder Jeff Cirillo also reported stiffness in his neck, unable to do much of anything on Monday, and is considered day to day. Also, outfielder Lew Ford, who had surgery on his left knee in January, was feeling some pain in his right knee after throwing in the outfield, possibly due to overcompensating with his right. He went in for an MRI with results due this week.

[Star Tribune]