Tampa Bay has sights set on playoffs for the first time since 2013.
It’s a very real possibility, folks. This 2017 Tampa Bay Rays team is a legitimate playoff contender. After Tuesday night’s 4-2, 10-inning victory over the NL’s Pittsburgh Pirates, the Rays sit at 41-38 and just three games out of first place in the AL East. As of Wednesday morning, the Rays and Twins are in a virtual tie for the second AL wild card.
So why do I believe this team, in late June, is a shoe-in for the playoffs?
With a few exceptions – no team in MLB right now is a shoe-in for the playoffs.
However, the Rays have as good a chance this season as they’ve had since 2013 when they were a wild card team. In fact, they may have an even better chance than that 2013 club.
Flashback to the “good ‘ol days”
In 2013, the Rays were a 92-win wild card team. That season, it became a two-team race with the Red Sox winning the East with 97 wins. The Rays offense was led by Evan Longoria and his 32 home runs. That year also had Alex Cobb going 11-3 with an ERA well under three and Matt Moore winning 17 games – leading the staff.
Since then, Moore struggled to show any signs that year wasn’t a fluke and in San Francisco now, he struggles to win ballgames. Cobb has recovered from Tommy John and is starting to show signs that his 2013-2014 stretch was not, in fact, a fluke.
Longoria has hit 12 home runs in 2017 – fourth on a team where Logan Morrison has 22, Corey Dickerson has 17, and Steven Souza is third with 14. The days of the team’s success resting on Longoria’s shoulders are seemingly over. The rotation in 2017 has, for the most part, been consistent. The bullpen, however, has glaring holes. Especially with closer Alex Colome struggling to lock down the ninth inning having blown his fourth save of the year Tuesday night.
Is 90 wins a possibility?
On June 28, 2013, the Rays were 41-39 and seven games back in the East. They were also 3.5 games back of the final wild card. They finished with 92 wins that year with a top-10 offense and a top-five pitching staff.
This season the East, for now, is a five-team race with the last place Blue Jays 6.5 games back of the division-leading Red Sox. If a playoff birth, let alone a 90-win season is going to be possible, the Rays will need to play better within their division. After dropping two of three to the Orioles over the weekend, they’re now 15-19 against division foes.
All the right moves
Injuries, once again, have plagued Kevin Cash‘s ball club. This year, however, they’ve been able to put the right pieces in place via free agents and call-ups to compensate. The most recent trade with the Marlins for SS Adeiny Hechavarria finally locks down the position that’s been primarily in the hands of Tim Beckham all year. Beckham, while solid at the plate, has been inconsistent in the field. His move to second base keeps his bat in the lineup. Will Matt Duffy ever suit up for the Rays again? Time will tell. For now – the team and fans can take a collective sigh of relief knowing the position is upgraded. Brad Miller is another question mark on the DL.
Hech got that range, though. pic.twitter.com/yXMRCWQzLo
— MLB (@MLB) June 28, 2017
As the halfway point of the 2017 season approaches, it’s safe to say the Rays are playing well above where anyone imagined they’d be. With Brad Boxberger due back any day and Erasmo Ramirez back in the bullpen, that very well could be what that group needs to improve. Come the trade deadline, look for the team to pursue another veteran reliever or two. The offense is elite. With Colby Rasmus due back soon and Wilson Ramos now in the lineup, there really is no need to go after another bat.
Playoffs? Did you say playoffs?
Yes, I did.
This time last year this team was in a historic collapse following the injury to Kevin Kiermaier. Today, they’re in total control of their post-season destiny. In Cash’s third year at the helm, he’s done an admirable job shuffling players when needed, making moves to account for injuries, and staying poised in the face of slumps or unpopular decisions.
The Tampa Bay Rays will be playing baseball in October.
And for my money…
…well into October.
As always, fans – stay tuned.
