Usually when a team trades their best pitcher and loses their next best to Tommy John surgery, they see diminished results on the field. The Tampa Bay Rays continuously trade their best pitchers once they get too expensive for the team to maintain and still find success on the baseball field. While the Rays’ starting pitching is not the best after these major subtractions, the American League will go through Tampa Bay who clinched the AL’s best record for the second consecutive season.
With their 98th win, @Raysbaseball has set a new franchise record for wins in a season. pic.twitter.com/cemYdNfQQU
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) September 30, 2021
EVEN WITHOUT THEIR BEST 2 PITCHERS, THE RAYS ARE STILL THE BEST TEAM IN THE AL
COLORS KEY | FULL RAYS OUTLOOK
After the Rays traded Blake Snell to the Padres, Closer Nick Anderson went down with an elbow injury, and Tyler Glasnow required Tommy John Surgery, many throughout the league thought the Rays would struggle to make the postseason this year. Instead, the Rays continue to flip the script and are the best team in the American League. This time, using a formula of strong power and bullpen proficiency, the Rays are as good as any AL team.
When people think of Tampa Bay, defense and pitching come to mind. With their increased power outburst this year, the Rays are the most feared team in Major League Baseball. Manager Kevin Cash and the team’s Front Office deserve credit for the job they have done this season despite their adversity. Looking forward to the playoffs, every game could be shortened using their tremendous bullpen and power-hungry offense as they further prove to be one of the best run organizations in baseball.
Rays clinched the No.1 record
The American League will officially go through Tampa Bay. pic.twitter.com/9zH83S5t1Y
— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2021
Wander Franco has HOPS
Man is not a fan of the other team getting on base pic.twitter.com/S70J9Z6gs7
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 30, 2021
Franco tied Frank’s record
43 games in a row on base.
— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2021
Wander Franco is now tied for the most consecutive games reaching base safely before turning 21. Unreal. pic.twitter.com/YLhtFmp8g3
Catcher goes full extension
MALDY. 🤯#ForTheH pic.twitter.com/N6lOiiq8mF
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 30, 2021
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