\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"This is the third time the Rays have claimed the AL’s No. 1 seed, joining 2010 and last year’s shortened season, and they are the first AL club to do so in consecutive seasons since the 2011-12 Yankees. It was hardly in question, as Tampa Bay has held sole possession of the AL’s best record since Aug. 6, but making the accomplishments official on Wednesday night was no less special. \n\n“They're both pretty meaningful,” Cash said. “This organization has been really good. Since 2008, they've had a lot of success, so you're talking about many playoff teams, many really good teams. To be at the top of the list, yeah, we're definitely going to appreciate that. ... We've got to go do our job, but these \\[postseason\\] series are going to start through Tampa Bay.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2021-09-30T00:44:04.173Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-09/29/9c83d11e-34f44f40-1e3888e4-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Brandon Lowe hammers a two-run home run into the right-field seats, extending the Rays' lead to 3-0 in the 2nd","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:32","slug":"luis-garcia-in-play-run-s-to-brandon-lowe","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2021","title":"Season 2021","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-664040","title":"Brandon Lowe","person":{"__ref":"Person:664040"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-139","title":"Tampa Bay Rays","team":{"__ref":"Team:139"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"home-run","title":"home run","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"2-yahoo-mlb-ads-feed","title":"2-Yahoo MLB Ads Feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"yahoo-in-game","title":"Yahoo In-Game","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pennant-chase","title":"Pennant Chase","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"final-week","title":"Final Week","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"yahoo-fantasy","title":"Yahoo Fantasy","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"1-yahoo-fantasy-feed","title":"1-Yahoo Fantasy Feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/gcofosejizb7ghkqhft4"},"title":"Brandon Lowe's two-run homer","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/luis-garcia-in-play-run-s-to-brandon-lowe"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"They made that a reality with a complete, dominant performance against a Houston squad they could see in October. \n\nStarter Drew Rasmussen retired the first 12 hitters he faced and allowed just one hit in five innings. Francisco Mejía drove in one run in the second, then Brandon Lowe blasted his 35th home run of the season out to right-center off Astros starter Luis Garcia. In the fifth, Ji-Man Choi clubbed a three-run shot to right-center field to pad the Rays’ lead.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2021-09-30T00:42:33.065Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-09/29/4265d3d9-d4ec7055-d64f4bf3-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Francisco Mejía smacks a single into right field to score Brett Phillips, giving the Rays a 1-0 lead in the top of the 2nd","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:33","slug":"luis-garcia-in-play-run-s-to-francisco-mejia","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2021","title":"Season 2021","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-642336","title":"Francisco Mejia","person":{"__ref":"Person:642336"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-139","title":"Tampa Bay Rays","team":{"__ref":"Team:139"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"1-yahoo-fantasy-feed","title":"1-Yahoo Fantasy Feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"yahoo-fantasy","title":"Yahoo Fantasy","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/tzgyp3475k0ng3s69uaz"},"title":"Francisco Mejía's RBI single","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/luis-garcia-in-play-run-s-to-francisco-mejia"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"“It truly is something special to be on a team that is not only taking care of business throughout this season, but also doing it at a better clip than any team prior to us, especially with all the success they've had recently here with this organization,” said Rasmussen, who owns a 1.46 ERA in eight starts since officially joining the Rays’ rotation. “And I don't think we're satisfied, which is really cool. I think we have the opportunity to win 100 games, and that'd be one heck of a mark and a milestone to get to.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2021-09-30T03:25:45.104Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-09/29/cae2fa61-ffe74667-0b7d5bc7-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Drew Rasmussen strikes out two and gives up only one hit over five shutout innings in the Rays' 7-0 win over the Astros","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:01:12","slug":"drew-rasmussen-s-scoreless-start-x2502","tags":[{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-139","title":"Tampa Bay Rays","team":{"__ref":"Team:139"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-656876","title":"Drew Rasmussen","person":{"__ref":"Person:656876"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight-reel-starting-pitching","title":"highlight reel starting pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"underrated","title":"underrated","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"yahoo-fantasy","title":"Yahoo Fantasy","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"1-yahoo-fantasy-feed","title":"1-Yahoo Fantasy Feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/nvs35wgmv9oawcfrz80t"},"title":"Drew Rasmussen's scoreless start","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/drew-rasmussen-s-scoreless-start-x2502"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Top reliever Andrew Kittredge said he recognized early on in the season that the Rays were a talented group, but also more than that. It was during a rough stretch, one Kittredge called “a perfect opportunity to cave.” But they didn’t. None of the adversity they’ve faced -- injuries, slumps, tough losses -- has fazed them. \n\nThe Rays were a .500 team at the end of play on May 12. They won 24 of their next 29 games, then they lost ace Tyler Glasnow for the rest of the season. They dropped 12 of their next 17 games after that, then reeled off a 37-12 stretch from July 4 until the end of August. They assembled the Majors’ highest-scoring lineup and amassed 46 come-from-behind wins.\n\n“We’re a really resilient group. Even when games don’t start the way we want them to or things go south at some point, we fight ‘til the end,” Kittredge said. “I really like the way we battle, even when we’re not really playing well necessarily. Then we’re scary good when we are playing good.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2021-09-30T04:10:53.764Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-09/29/41bf5950-514dc23d-961d0e7b-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Manuel Margot lays out in left-center field to make an outstanding diving catch, robbing Jose Altuve of a hit in the bottom of the 4th","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:41","slug":"manuel-margot-s-diving-catch-x9076","tags":[{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-139","title":"Tampa Bay Rays","team":{"__ref":"Team:139"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-622534","title":"Manuel Margot","person":{"__ref":"Person:622534"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"defense","title":"defense","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"group-3","title":"group 3","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/qtwrhih3bi270wpbpbwq"},"title":"Manuel Margot's diving catch","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/manuel-margot-s-diving-catch-x9076"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Cash also praised the team’s “knack for bouncing back maybe a little bit quicker than one would expect,” and attributed that ability to both the experience returning players gained during last year’s run to the World Series and the new players who have fit right in since Spring Training. \n\nReliever Collin McHugh, one of those offseason additions, remembered asking himself earlier this season, “Are we for real?” The Rays were in the middle of a tough stretch, and their numbers didn’t match up well with their opponents’ that night. Then they went out and played their kind of game -- not unlike the one they played Wednesday: racking up hits, running the bases aggressively, throwing strikes and getting outs. That’s when it hit McHugh. \n\n“I was like, ‘The stats are somehow not telling a story that is going on on the field, because we do this day in and day out,’” McHugh said. “That’s when I realized that we’re just really hard to beat. We might not out-talent everybody, but we are built to be really hard to beat. I feel like that, over the long haul, will make you a really successful team.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2021-09-30T03:14:02.828Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-09/29/56eb88e1-2486bb7c-e8b4a542-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Wander Franco climbs the ladder to make a terrific leaping grab at shortstop, taking a hit away from Aledmys Díaz in the 9th","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:35","slug":"wander-franco-s-leaping-grab-x4454","tags":[{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-139","title":"Tampa Bay Rays","team":{"__ref":"Team:139"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-677551","title":"Wander Franco","person":{"__ref":"Person:677551"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"defense","title":"defense","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"wow","title":"wow","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/qj3azvbkcuozt6kfmgkn"},"title":"Wander Franco's leaping grab","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/wander-franco-s-leaping-grab-x4454"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"The most successful regular-season team in franchise history, in fact, and the best team in the American League. No matter what happens next month, the Rays have proven that much. \n\n“As far as the ballplayers, and on the field, and the organization, and the coaching staff and everything,” principal owner Stuart Sternberg said Tuesday on the Rays’ radio pregame show, “I think it is ... fair to say that this is the best team we've fielded.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2021-09-30T05:08:58.62Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-09/29/d8d3fc67-21398c24-33ff760a-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Kevin Cash discusses Drew Rasmussen's start, Wander Franco's on-base streak, and securing home-field advantage in the playoffs after the win","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:03:39","slug":"cash-on-the-rays-7-0-win","tags":[{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-139","title":"Tampa Bay Rays","team":{"__ref":"Team:139"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"manager-postgame","title":"manager postgame","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"interview","title":"interview","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/xz2yxvvfoxxgtekfv0lb"},"title":"Cash on the Rays' 7-0 win","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/cash-on-the-rays-7-0-win"}],"relativeSiteUrl":"/news/rays-clinch-al-top-seed-home-field-advantage","contentType":"news","subHeadline":"With 98th win, Rays secure winningest regular season in club history","summary":"HOUSTON -- Kevin Kiermaier says he knew from the start that this year’s Rays were special. After Tampa Bay clinched its second straight American League East title, he shared a memory from the Rays’ first road trip of the season. They were in Boston, Kiermaier said, and he was having","tagline({\"formatString\":\"none\"})":null,"tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"storytype-article","title":"Article","type":"article"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-139","title":"Tampa Bay Rays","team":{"__ref":"Team:139"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"ContributorTag","slug":"adam-berry","title":"Adam Berry","type":"contributor"},{"__typename":"GameTag","gamePk":632305,"slug":"gamepk-632305","title":"2021/09/29 tb@hou","type":"game"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"final-week","title":"Final Week","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"game-recap","title":"game recap","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pennant-chase","title":"Pennant Chase","type":"taxonomy"}],"type":"story","thumbnail":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/em3grhc1bdiawst7aair","title":"Rays clinch AL top seed, home-field advantage"},"getTeamsBySportId({\"ids\":[1]})":[{"__ref":"Team:133"},{"__ref":"Team:134"},{"__ref":"Team:135"},{"__ref":"Team:136"},{"__ref":"Team:137"},{"__ref":"Team:138"},{"__ref":"Team:139"},{"__ref":"Team:140"},{"__ref":"Team:141"},{"__ref":"Team:142"},{"__ref":"Team:143"},{"__ref":"Team:144"},{"__ref":"Team:145"},{"__ref":"Team:146"},{"__ref":"Team:147"},{"__ref":"Team:158"},{"__ref":"Team:108"},{"__ref":"Team:109"},{"__ref":"Team:110"},{"__ref":"Team:111"},{"__ref":"Team:112"},{"__ref":"Team:113"},{"__ref":"Team:114"},{"__ref":"Team:115"},{"__ref":"Team:116"},{"__ref":"Team:117"},{"__ref":"Team:118"},{"__ref":"Team:119"},{"__ref":"Team:120"},{"__ref":"Team:121"}],"getHeaderFromForgePath({\"contentSource\":\"MLB\",\"headerPath\":\"/_navs/header/mlb/global-nav\",\"paletteKey\":\"mlb-base-palette\",\"propertiesKey\":\"mlb-global-properties\"})":{"__typename":"Header","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MLB.TV","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/tv?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","placement":"right","visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy MLB.TV Offseason Package","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/subscribe?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Watch & Listen","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games?&affiliateID=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB.TV Partners","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/partners?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Link Account","linkUrl":"live-stream-games/partners?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Help Center","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/help-center?&affiliateID=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"All-Star Tickets","linkUrl":"/all-star/tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1721167200;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB at Rickwood Field","linkUrl":"/events/rickwood/tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1718924400;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Spring Training","linkUrl":"/tickets/spring-training","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1711511940;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Postseason Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/postseason","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy on SeatGeek","linkUrl":"https://seatgeek.com/mlb-tickets?aid=15994&pid=integration&rid=1&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=mlb_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Sell on SeatGeek","linkUrl":"https://seatgeek.com/sell/mlb-tickets?aid=15994&pid=integration&rid=15&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=mlb_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Season Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Single Game Tickets","linkUrl":"/schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Group Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/group-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Special Ticket Offers","linkUrl":"/tickets/fan-value","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"VIP Ticket Packages","linkUrl":"/tickets/on-location-experiences","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Students","linkUrl":"/tickets/students","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Tourism","linkUrl":"/tourism","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB World Tour","linkUrl":"/international/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticket Terms & Conditions","linkUrl":"/tickets/terms-and-conditions","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":"shopping-cart","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/?_s=bm-mlbcom-hp","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Online Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/?_s=bm-mlbcom-hp","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Auction","linkUrl":"https://auctions.mlb.com/iSynApp/showHomePage.action?sid=1101001&isynsharedsession=9mislq-18JnZhOEp-FeGzvUB3G6zxwkeKqwX99MKAttEdaSACl02r4aCDzYhNvUm","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Gift Cards","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/gift-cards/x-462351+z-94899005-3509039474?_s=bm-mlbcom-Home","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB NYC Flagship Store","linkUrl":"/shop/nyc-retail-store","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"European Shop","linkUrl":"http://www.mlbshopeurope.com/stores/mlb/en?portal=MLTS66FS&CMP=PSC-MLTS66FS","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Photo Store","linkUrl":"https://photostore.mlb.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;mobile:true","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"News","linkUrl":"/news","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rule Changes","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/rule-changes-2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Probable Pitchers","linkUrl":"/probable-pitchers/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Starting Lineups","linkUrl":"/starting-lineups","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Transactions","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/transactions","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Injury Report","linkUrl":"/injury-report","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"World Baseball Classic","linkUrl":"/world-baseball-classic","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Draft","linkUrl":"/draft/2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"All-Star Game","linkUrl":"/all-star/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Life","linkUrl":"/fans/mlb-life","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Pipeline","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/pipeline","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Postseason History","linkUrl":"/postseason/history","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Great Stories","linkUrl":"/news/topic/longform","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Podcasts","linkUrl":"/fans/podcasts","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Watch","linkUrl":"/tv?&affiliateId=mlbMENU","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":"Video","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Search","linkUrl":"/video","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Statcast","linkUrl":"/video/topic/statcast","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Network","linkUrl":"/network","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]},{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":"MLB.TV","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy MLB.TV Postseason Package","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/subscribe?&affiliateId=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Watch & Listen","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games?&affiliateID=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Help Center","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/help-center?&affiliateID=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Scores","linkUrl":"/scores","placement":"mobile","visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Schedule","linkUrl":"/postseason","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2023 Postseason Recap","linkUrl":"/postseason/history/2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2024 Regular Season","linkUrl":"/schedule/","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2024 Postseason","linkUrl":"/postseason","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Spring Training","linkUrl":"/schedule/2025-02-20","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Events","linkUrl":"/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team by Team Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/team-by-team","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"National Broadcasts","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/national-broadcast-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Stats","linkUrl":"/stats","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Statcast Leaders","linkUrl":"https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_leaderboard","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Statcast","linkUrl":"/statcast","linkTarget":"","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Baseball Savant","linkUrl":"https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top Prospect Stats","linkUrl":"/prospects/stats/top-prospects?type=all&minPA=1","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Standings","linkUrl":"/standings/wild-card","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Youth","linkUrl":"/youth-baseball-softball","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Play Ball","linkUrl":"/play-ball","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Youth Baseball & Softball","linkUrl":"/youth-baseball-softball","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"","icon":"group","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Players","linkUrl":"/players","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Prospect Rankings","linkUrl":"/prospects","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Depth Charts","linkUrl":"/team/roster/depth-chart","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Players Association","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbplayers.com","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Negro Leagues","linkUrl":"/history/negro-leagues","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MLB Play","linkUrl":"/play","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Beat the Streak","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=BeatTheStreak2022","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Immaculate Grid","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=ImmaculateGrid2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Trivia","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=SporcleTrivia2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pickle","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=Pickle2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"By the Numbers","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=ByTheNumbers2022","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Diamond Decisions","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=DiamondDecisions2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Bingo","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=Bingo2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"expires:1720022400;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Vote","linkUrl":"/all-star/ballot?affiliateId=asb-topnav-mlb-2024","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;module:teammodule;align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Teams","linkUrl":"/team","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Module","linkUrl":null,"linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"module:teammodule;"}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;lang:es;label:Español","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"ES","linkUrl":"/es","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"日本語","linkUrl":"http://www.mlb.jp/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"lang:ja"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"한국어","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbkor.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"lang:ko"}]}]}],"cfPalette":{"__typename":"CF_Palette","headerMastheadBackgroundColor":"#002D72","headerMastheadTextColor":"#ffffff","headerNavigationBackgroundColor":"#041E42","headerNavigationBorderColor":"#057AFF","headerNavigationTextColorHover":"#ffffff","headerNavigationTextColor":"#ffffff"},"cfWebProperties":{"__typename":"CF_WebProperties","urlLogo":null,"headerMastheadTagline":null,"headerPrimaryLogo":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadSponsorImage":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadTaglineContainerWidth":"512px","headerMastheadTaglineContainerHeight":"56px"}}},"Person:545343":{"__typename":"Person","id":545343},"Team:139":{"__typename":"Team","id":139,"division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"name":"Tampa Bay Rays","shortName":"Tampa Bay","teamName":"Rays"},"Person:596847":{"__typename":"Person","id":596847},"Person:664040":{"__typename":"Person","id":664040},"Person:642336":{"__typename":"Person","id":642336},"Person:656876":{"__typename":"Person","id":656876},"Person:622534":{"__typename":"Person","id":622534},"Person:677551":{"__typename":"Person","id":677551},"Division:200":{"__typename":"Division","id":"200"},"Team:133":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":133,"name":"Athletics","shortName":"Athletics","teamName":"Athletics"},"Division:205":{"__typename":"Division","id":"205"},"Team:134":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":134,"name":"Pittsburgh Pirates","shortName":"Pittsburgh","teamName":"Pirates"},"Division:203":{"__typename":"Division","id":"203"},"Team:135":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":135,"name":"San Diego Padres","shortName":"San Diego","teamName":"Padres"},"Team:136":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":136,"name":"Seattle Mariners","shortName":"Seattle","teamName":"Mariners"},"Team:137":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":137,"name":"San Francisco Giants","shortName":"San Francisco","teamName":"Giants"},"Team:138":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":138,"name":"St. Louis Cardinals","shortName":"St. Louis","teamName":"Cardinals"},"Division:201":{"__typename":"Division","id":"201"},"Team:140":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":140,"name":"Texas Rangers","shortName":"Texas","teamName":"Rangers"},"Team:141":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":141,"name":"Toronto Blue Jays","shortName":"Toronto","teamName":"Blue Jays"},"Division:202":{"__typename":"Division","id":"202"},"Team:142":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":142,"name":"Minnesota Twins","shortName":"Minnesota","teamName":"Twins"},"Division:204":{"__typename":"Division","id":"204"},"Team:143":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":143,"name":"Philadelphia Phillies","shortName":"Philadelphia","teamName":"Phillies"},"Team:144":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":144,"name":"Atlanta Braves","shortName":"Atlanta","teamName":"Braves"},"Team:145":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":145,"name":"Chicago White Sox","shortName":"Chi White Sox","teamName":"White Sox"},"Team:146":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":146,"name":"Miami Marlins","shortName":"Miami","teamName":"Marlins"},"Team:147":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":147,"name":"New York Yankees","shortName":"NY Yankees","teamName":"Yankees"},"Team:158":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":158,"name":"Milwaukee Brewers","shortName":"Milwaukee","teamName":"Brewers"},"Team:108":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":108,"name":"Los Angeles Angels","shortName":"LA Angels","teamName":"Angels"},"Team:109":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":109,"name":"Arizona Diamondbacks","shortName":"Arizona","teamName":"D-backs"},"Team:110":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":110,"name":"Baltimore Orioles","shortName":"Baltimore","teamName":"Orioles"},"Team:111":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":111,"name":"Boston Red Sox","shortName":"Boston","teamName":"Red Sox"},"Team:112":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":112,"name":"Chicago Cubs","shortName":"Chi Cubs","teamName":"Cubs"},"Team:113":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":113,"name":"Cincinnati Reds","shortName":"Cincinnati","teamName":"Reds"},"Team:114":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":114,"name":"Cleveland Guardians","shortName":"Cleveland","teamName":"Guardians"},"Team:115":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":115,"name":"Colorado Rockies","shortName":"Colorado","teamName":"Rockies"},"Team:116":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":116,"name":"Detroit Tigers","shortName":"Detroit","teamName":"Tigers"},"Team:117":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":117,"name":"Houston Astros","shortName":"Houston","teamName":"Astros"},"Team:118":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":118,"name":"Kansas City Royals","shortName":"Kansas City","teamName":"Royals"},"Team:119":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":119,"name":"Los Angeles Dodgers","shortName":"LA Dodgers","teamName":"Dodgers"},"Team:120":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":120,"name":"Washington Nationals","shortName":"Washington","teamName":"Nationals"},"Team:121":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":121,"name":"New York Mets","shortName":"NY Mets","teamName":"Mets"}}}
window.adobeAnalytics = {"reportingSuiteId":"mlbglobal08,mlbcom08","linkInternalFilters":"mlb"}
window.globalState = {"tracking_title":"Major League Baseball","lang":"en"}
window.appId = ''
/*-->*/
'Something special': Rays No. 1 seed in AL
'Something special': Rays No. 1 seed in AL
With 98th win, Rays secure winningest regular season in club history
HOUSTON -- Kevin Kiermaier says he knew from the start that this year’s Rays were special. After Tampa Bay clinched its second straight American League East title, he shared a memory from the Rays’ first road trip of the season. They were in Boston, Kiermaier said, and he was having a drink with manager Kevin Cash in the coaches’ suite at their hotel.
“Cash asked me, he said, ‘What’s this group about?’” Kiermaier recalled Saturday night. “I said, ‘We’re going to be great. I promise you. We get along great. And there’s just a great vibe. I don’t know what it is. It’s a week or so into the season, but we’re going to be really good. I promise you that.’ And he just looked at me and said, 'OK,’ kind of like, ‘Prove it.’ And here we are.”
Here the Rays are, officially the top team in the AL and the winningest regular-season club in franchise history, after beating the Astros, 7-0, on Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park. Tampa Bay’s 98th win of the season surpassed the previous club record of 97, set in 2008, and guaranteed the Rays home-field advantage in the first two rounds of the postseason.
• Games remaining: 1 vs. Astros, 3 vs. Yankees • Standings update: Clinched first place in the AL East on Saturday • Home-field advantage update: Clinched for AL Division Series and AL Championship Series
This is the third time the Rays have claimed the AL’s No. 1 seed, joining 2010 and last year’s shortened season, and they are the first AL club to do so in consecutive seasons since the 2011-12 Yankees. It was hardly in question, as Tampa Bay has held sole possession of the AL’s best record since Aug. 6, but making the accomplishments official on Wednesday night was no less special.
“They're both pretty meaningful,” Cash said. “This organization has been really good. Since 2008, they've had a lot of success, so you're talking about many playoff teams, many really good teams. To be at the top of the list, yeah, we're definitely going to appreciate that. ... We've got to go do our job, but these [postseason] series are going to start through Tampa Bay.”
They made that a reality with a complete, dominant performance against a Houston squad they could see in October.
Starter Drew Rasmussen retired the first 12 hitters he faced and allowed just one hit in five innings. Francisco Mejía drove in one run in the second, then Brandon Lowe blasted his 35th home run of the season out to right-center off Astros starter Luis Garcia. In the fifth, Ji-Man Choi clubbed a three-run shot to right-center field to pad the Rays’ lead.
“It truly is something special to be on a team that is not only taking care of business throughout this season, but also doing it at a better clip than any team prior to us, especially with all the success they've had recently here with this organization,” said Rasmussen, who owns a 1.46 ERA in eight starts since officially joining the Rays’ rotation. “And I don't think we're satisfied, which is really cool. I think we have the opportunity to win 100 games, and that'd be one heck of a mark and a milestone to get to.”
Top reliever Andrew Kittredge said he recognized early on in the season that the Rays were a talented group, but also more than that. It was during a rough stretch, one Kittredge called “a perfect opportunity to cave.” But they didn’t. None of the adversity they’ve faced -- injuries, slumps, tough losses -- has fazed them.
The Rays were a .500 team at the end of play on May 12. They won 24 of their next 29 games, then they lost ace Tyler Glasnow for the rest of the season. They dropped 12 of their next 17 games after that, then reeled off a 37-12 stretch from July 4 until the end of August. They assembled the Majors’ highest-scoring lineup and amassed 46 come-from-behind wins.
“We’re a really resilient group. Even when games don’t start the way we want them to or things go south at some point, we fight ‘til the end,” Kittredge said. “I really like the way we battle, even when we’re not really playing well necessarily. Then we’re scary good when we are playing good.”
Cash also praised the team’s “knack for bouncing back maybe a little bit quicker than one would expect,” and attributed that ability to both the experience returning players gained during last year’s run to the World Series and the new players who have fit right in since Spring Training.
Reliever Collin McHugh, one of those offseason additions, remembered asking himself earlier this season, “Are we for real?” The Rays were in the middle of a tough stretch, and their numbers didn’t match up well with their opponents’ that night. Then they went out and played their kind of game -- not unlike the one they played Wednesday: racking up hits, running the bases aggressively, throwing strikes and getting outs. That’s when it hit McHugh.
“I was like, ‘The stats are somehow not telling a story that is going on on the field, because we do this day in and day out,’” McHugh said. “That’s when I realized that we’re just really hard to beat. We might not out-talent everybody, but we are built to be really hard to beat. I feel like that, over the long haul, will make you a really successful team.”
The most successful regular-season team in franchise history, in fact, and the best team in the American League. No matter what happens next month, the Rays have proven that much.
“As far as the ballplayers, and on the field, and the organization, and the coaching staff and everything,” principal owner Stuart Sternberg said Tuesday on the Rays’ radio pregame show, “I think it is ... fair to say that this is the best team we've fielded.”