ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – After the past two autumns of making tee times in October, the Tampa Bay Rays return to the post-season. That’s the positive development. The most important consequence is collective abilities, coaches and players, to extend their season.
The last time the Rays made an ambitious run was the 2020 post-season and that resulted in a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic. Now, the Rays enter the Second Season with the best record in the American League and homefield advantage throughout all American League series.
In the end, does that really manner?
For now, the success and ebullience of a season marked by a dramatic turn-around clouds the road ahead. Baseball in October, as in all sports, raises the intensity and power of the moment. Now is the time championships could be contested by a single play, a consequence, or a decision from turning possible success into an emotional and devastating defeat.
For the Rays, the season of achievement continues to stand high and could provide a demonstrative push forward.
“From the beginning of the season, we were highly doubted,” said outfielder Chandler Simpson during the Rays final home stand of the season. “All we had was each other, and we had to mesh well. The camaraderie was important and we came together as a group. Take it one day at a time, we told ourselves, never keep our heads down and become a team of perseverance. We were a team never to stand down and always in the fight. We exemplified that all year.”
One reason why the Rays are playing baseball in October deals with the reality facing teams which continue to produce. Several players band together and, collectively, their efforts push the bar out of the reach of competition.
In the past, single players achieved but the remaining team did not lend support.
In the case of Ernie Banks, the Hall of Fame shortship with the Cubs earned National league MVP honors for both the 1958 and 1959 seasons, For the 1958 season, the Cubs turned in a 72–82-mark fifth place in the National League and 20 games out of first place. When Banks won his second league MVP player a year later, his Cubs went 74-80, again in fifth place and 13 games out of first place.
Lefthander Steve Carlton turned in a remarkable 27-10 season, 1.97 ERA and 30 complete games in 41 starts for the 1972 Philadelphia Phillies. That year, the Phillies went 59-97, in sixth place 37.5 games out of first place.
Compare that to the collective season for the Rays.
The three hitters at the top of the lineup, Yandy Diaz, Joanathan Aranda and Junior Caminero all continue to produce at a high level. Though manager Kevin Cash does not receive great contributions from the bottom of the lineup, that could change.
In a position to forge a strong left-hander in the middle of his batting order, Cash has utilized left hitting catcher Liam Hicks. This gives Cash and strong complement to Diaz, Aranda and Caminero.
One player who could produce during the October stretch might be Victor Mesa, Jr. In games coming into Sept. 23, Mesa had a career best nine-game hitting streak (Sept. 7-13) in September, named the AL player-of-the-week for Sept. 7-13, recorded 23 of his 31 RBIs in his last 48 games, and delivered 11 of his 14 home runs in his last his last 46 games (from July 7 through Sept. 23).
In the post-season, Mesa could provide the “x” factor to the Rays offense and likely hit against righties. That puts Jonny DeLuca as his platoon partner in right field.
What has kept this team strong is the pitching,
A pair of righthanded starters, Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez turned in career best efforts and the bullpen has been effective. Closer Bryan Baker, almost an after-through when the club broke camp this past March, emerged as a very dependable closer.
Through September 23, Baker’s 40 saves are tied with Cade Smith of Cleveland for the major Lague lead and behind franchise record of 48 turned in Fernando Rodney in 2012.
“Look, we haven’t had much success the last two years,” said Cash during the Rays final home stand in late September. “This team has been a great deal of fun to be around, that’s for sure. The way they just jelled from spring training, throughout the course of the season, has been great. I think we found a bunch of different ways to win ball games. The offense has been very versatile. The pitching staff does what a team like it does year in and year out. A real joy to be around, easy team to pull for and wish success.”
Opening the post-season …with a first-round bye, the Rays will likely draw the winner of the Yankees-Red Sox AL wildcard match-up. That series is scheduled to open in Tropicana Field on Saturday Oct. 4 in a best 3-of-5 games. The Rays likely starter for the post-season opener could be Drew Rasmussen, who turned in a stellar 16-5 season, 2.67 ERA for 30 starts. He logged a career-best 172 innings and career-best 174 strikeouts. Rasmussen tossed 114 pitches in what could be final start of the season Sept. 22 against the Yankees and that was likely attempted to assure durability and longevity. … Game two of the ALDS would be Oct. 5 and righty Nick Martinez (15-2, 2.94 ERA, 30 starts and career-best 177.1 innings) will likely take the mound for Tampa Bay.