2026 MLB First-Half Recap: Tampa Bay Rays

The Pitching

The Good

The Rays love to put the ball in play, thanks in large part to the likes of Chandler Simpson, Jonathan Aranda, and Yandy Diaz.

Both Aranda and Diaz were two of the most valuable hitters in baseball over the first half. Aranda slashed .297/.394/.471 with 14 home runs and a BB% of 12.6 BB%. He also finished 15th in the Majors with 101 hits. Diaz, meanwhile, was fourth in total hits and slashed .322/.398/.490 with 31 extra-base hits.

Simply put, those two are incredibly valuable to the Rays.

However, you can’t have a conversation about the Rays’ offense without Junior Caminero. Caminero finished the first half with the ninth-best wOBA (.392) in the Majors, 28 home runs, and 42 extra-base hits. Aside from the pop, Caminero also had one of the most impressive transformations at the plate, at least when it came to walks.

However, the Rays would not have ended the first half in first of the AL East without the pitching staff.

Both Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez, the latter of whom bounced between the bullpen and rotation over the last four years, turned into All-Stars. Rasmussen seemingly puts on a show in every start, even though the righty doesn’t strike out a ton of batters. However, Rasmussen possesses one of the best cutters in the game.

As for Martinez, he too has a Grade-A weapon, that being his changeup. And in line with an analytically friendly team, the Rays had him throw it more in 2026. So far, it’s a winning strategy.

The bullpen, meanwhile, was led by Bryan Baker. Baker, who pitched very well in Baltimore last season, scuffled out of the gate with the Rays last year after Tampa Bay acquired him. But with Pete Fairbanks gone and Edwin Uceta hurt, Baker assumed the role of #1 high-leverage reliever.

Needless to state, it worked well for Baker, who was a 2026 AL All-Star.

The Bad

While the Rays struck gold in free agency with Nick Martinez, some of Tampa Bay’s moves made last winter didn’t hit as hoped.

Steven Matz, once a valuable starter with the Mets and Blue Jays, moved back into that role with the Rays this season. However, it didn’t go well, as he posted a 6.28 ERA in the first half. His 1.87 HR/9 was the 15th-worst among starting pitchers with 50+ IP thrown this season.

Cedric Mullins, meanwhile, hit .200 with a .276 wOBA, the latter of which was among the 15 worst figures among hitters with 250 plate appearances. While Mullins does provide more value aside from that, the outfielder didn’t end the first half well despite a hot week in late June.

Over his final nine games before the 13th, Mullins had hits in just two.

Looking Ahead

Given the state of the American League playoff race, the Rays should be in a good position to hold on and make it back to October — at least it should be, especially given the wild road-heavy schedule from 2025.

However, there is room for improvement, which will make things interesting for Tampa Bay on the trade market. An infielder would make sense here, although with the Rays, nothing is guaranteed.