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Marc Topkin's takeaways from Saturday's Rays-Cardinals game

 
Published Aug. 27, 2017

Whether it was the change in thinking to emphasize his fastball first or the adjustments to improve his line to the plate or the realization of being sent down for a second time, the new Blake Snell has been impressive, dominating for seven more innings.

The Rays made a big move to improve their defense by trading for SS Adeiny Hechavarria, but some of their other decisions, such as putting Brad Miller at second and Corey Dickerson in left, have come back to hurt them. Dickerson missed three plays Saturday.

Kevin Cash has been understandably aggressive to use the shiny new toys in his bullpen, but that comes at a cost on days when some of the relievers are tired or unavailable, and that's in part what led to Saturday's loss as Tommy Hunter and Brad Boxberger faltered.