Faced with numerous hurdles, this AL East team continues to win
After a historic 13-0 start to the 2023 season, the Tampa Bay Rays have been faced with challenge after challenge on the road to the playoffs.
Currently 80-52, they sit two-and-a-half games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League East but hold a healthy lead for the top wild-card spot.
After stellar starts to their seasons, pitchers Shane McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen were all lost to season-ending injuries and potentially even next year as well.
Combining to make 32 starts, the injured pitchers would put up a 17-4 record with a 2.87 ERA including 192 strikeouts in 175.2 innings pitched. Most of that was accomplished by McClanahan who made the 2023 All-Star team, with the other two both going down early in the season.
With their big free-agent signing pitcher Zach Eflin giving the Rays a chance to win nearly every time he takes the mound, he is the only member of the opening-day rotation still pitching for the Rays in 2023. Pitcher Tyler Glasnow has looked strong after returning from a long battle with injuries, and trade deadline acquisition pitcher Aaron Civale has been providing solid innings since his arrival.
A strong bullpen will continue to play a big role in their success with the Rays, as they are known to use openers frequently to help eat innings throughout the regular season.
If losing the pitchers wasn't enough for them to deal with, 22-year-old shortstop Wander Franco was placed on administrative leave after allegations of relationships with underage girls and he could have possibly played his last game in the MLB after making his first All-Star team in 2023.
With strong seasons from first baseman Yandy Diaz, third baseman Isaac Paredes and outfielder Randy Arozarena powering the way for the Rays' offense, losing Franco will be tough to replace but 22-year-old shortstop Osleivis Basabe has done a solid job since his MLB debut on Aug. 13.
Breakout seasons from outfielders Josh Lowe and Luke Raley have been a welcome surprise in 2023.
Lowe has slashed .280/.322/.495 with 17 home runs, 69 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in 108 games while Raley has put up a .256/.335/.514 slash line with 42 XBH and 45 RBIs in 102 games.
As they close in on their fifth-straight playoff appearance, the Rays will look to continue to defy the odds in 2023.
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