The Locked On Rays crew is again joined by Channel 10 WTSP Sports Director Evan Closky to dive deep into the Rays' prospects for the second half of the 2025 season.

He examines the critical first nine games after the All-Star break and their potential impact on the team's playoff odds. Closky discusses Shane McClanahan's anticipated return, the future roles of players like Taylor Walls and Carson Williams, and potential bullpen adjustments.

The episode also features baseball trivia and a surprising "Name that WAR" segment focusing on Jordan Lyles' unique career statistics.

• Discussion on the Rays' outlook for the second half of the season
• Breakdown of the Rays' upcoming schedule and its importance
• Addressing listener questions about Taylor Walls and Carson Williams
• Debate on how to handle Shane McClanahan's return from injury

Baseball Trivia/ “Name That WAR”

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The Rays come back from the All Star break beating the breaks off the Baltimore Orioles 11-1. The Rays wasted no time getting started. Junior Caminero fresh off finishing 2nd in the home run derby, launched a 3 run home run in the 1st inning. That home run went 439 ft which is the 2nd longest home run by a Rays player this year. The Home run party would continue in the 2nd inning with a solo blast by Danny Jansen. In the 3rd Josh Lowe doubled home a run to make it 5-0. The Rays would break it open in the 6th inning. Yandy Diaz hit an opposite field Grand Slam to give the Rays a 10-0 lead. Junior Caminero would hit his 2nd home run of the night to make it 11-0. Taj Bradley was Fantastic tonight for the Rays. He ended up going 6 IP only giving up 3 hits and striking out 6. The Rays will look to continue their winning ways tomorrow night.

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In this episode, the Locked On Rays crew is joined by Channel 10 WTSP Sports Director Evan Closky to analyze the Tampa Bay Rays' tumultuous first half of the 2025 season.

He dissects the team's performance, highlighting the stellar rotation, Jonathan Aranda's MVP-caliber play, and the improved hitting against right-handed pitching. Closky also addresses the bullpen's struggles and their impact on the team's record.

The episode covers the Rays' current standing, playoff chances, and potential trade scenarios as the second half approaches.

2:20 - Evan discusses the Rays' first half performance, highlighting the bullpen struggles

8:47 - Prediction for the second half: Evan expects the Rays to be around a .500 team, finishing with about 84 wins

13:13 - "Closky on the Clock" segment begins

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Rays stun at All-Star festivities: Junior Caminero's Derby heroics and Tampa Bay's game-changing plays

Locked On Rays hosts break down Tampa Bay's impressive showing at the MLB All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. From Junior Caminero's near-miss in the Derby to Drew Rasmussen's dominant inning on the mound, the Rays left their mark on the Midsummer Classic. The discussion covers Jonathan Aranda's clutch hit, Aaron Boone's savvy managing, and how the new swing-off format is reshaping baseball's biggest showcase.

Tune in for expert analysis on the Rays' All-Star performances and what they mean for Tampa Bay's second-half push. Will Caminero's Derby success translate to on-field dominance?

5:41 Junior Caminero's Home Run Derby performance

10:13 Rays players shine in All-Star Game

16:43 Controversy over All-Star Game swing-off selections

22:26 Potential for swing-offs in regular season games

26:16 Rating the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game

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MLB SQUAD SHOW: MLB All-Star Game CHAOS as Swing-Off STUNS Fans | Is This the FUTURE of Baseball?

Kyle Schwarber's clutch performance in the first-ever All-Star Game swing-off stuns fans. The Locked On MLB Squad breaks down this historic moment, analyzing player selections and debating potential improvements. From Cal Raleigh's impressive Home Run Derby showing to nostalgic discussions about past events, the hosts dive deep into the evolution of All-Star festivities.

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Tampa Bay Rays on the brink of new era? Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski set to purchase MLB franchise for $1.7 billion.

Kevin Weiss and Ulises Sambrano break down the potential sale's far-reaching implications, from a possible new stadium in Tampa to changes in team operations. The hosts explore Zalupski's background in real estate and how it could fast-track stadium negotiations. Key discussions include potential locations like Ybor City, the future of the Rays' low-payroll strategy, and the impact on players and fans.

Will Zalupski's ownership usher in a new golden age for Rays baseball? Tune in for expert analysis on this game-changing development for Tampa Bay's beloved team.

5:15 New owner brings fresh perspective at 44

10:18 Tampa stadium location preferences discussed

18:19 Concerns about front office changes and payroll

22:18 Keeping the Rays in Tampa Bay area

26:34 Player reactions to potential ownership change

Tampa Bay Rays, MLB, Patrick Zalupski, Stu Sternberg, team sale, stadium deal, Ybor City, Tampa, St. Petersburg, ownership change, baseball operations, Erik Neander, Matt Silverman, payroll increase, front office, real estate development, Florida politics, fan expectations, revenue sharing, competitive advantage, player contracts, franchise relocation, stadium financing, local government, MLB approval

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Tampa Bay Rays stumble into All-Star break. Can they recapture early-season magic?

Ulises Sambrano and Kevin Weiss break down the Rays' recent struggles, including a disappointing series against the Boston Red Sox. They analyze the team's rollercoaster season, from a middling start to a strong middle period and recent slump.

The hosts explore potential trade scenarios involving Brandon Lowe and Yandy Diaz, while highlighting Junior Caminero's Home Run Derby appearance and Drew Rasmussen's surprise All-Star selection.

Tune in for expert insights on the Rays' playoff chances and the impact of their young stars' performances.

5:07 Rays struggling heading into All-Star break

11:14 Analyzing Rays' recent performance and mistakes

16:43 Junior Caminero in Home Run Derby preview

21:37 Drew Rasmussen added as fourth Rays All-Star

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The Tampa Bay Rays lost their 4th in a row to the Boston Red Sox 4-1. This was more of the same for the Rays. The offense only mustered 1 run in this one. The Rays scored just 1 run in the last 18 innings of the series. The 1 run came off a Sacrifice fly by Josh Lowe in the 5th inning. Ryan Pepiot was really good for 5 of his 6 innings pitched. In that 6th inning Boston hit a 2 run home run to put the nail in the Rays coffin. The Rays are in the midst of their worst baseball of the year. Luckily for the Rays they get the All-Star break to figure things out. The Rays are back at it on Friday night vs the Orioles.

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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