Rays Looking Lost as Rough Start to the Season Continues

Breaking Down the Rays Struggles This Season

The Unprepared Team

Is it a lack of focus or accountability? Do they look unprepared? Regarding the lack of accountability, it all starts with Kevin Cash. The Rays appear unfocused, lost, and far from prepared. You could go as far as saying that they are an unprepared baseball team. While you can appreciate what Cash has done over the years, at the same time, he needs to find a way to get Tampa Bay to play with urgency and hustle. A big part of a manager’s job is to find ways to motivate a team and turn things around.

When Did It All Start?

The cracks in the foundation of the Rays started with Wander Franco last season. With him out of the equation for the foreseeable future, it threw a snag into the Rays’ long-term aspirations. But the main issues with this Rays team are on the field. For example, Jose Siri has shown a lack of hustle on several occasions. In other instances, they are unaware of how many mound visits are left. To top things off, you see them not knowing how to handle first- and third-base defense. There’s one thing: if you’re struggling with hitting or pitching but looking unprepared and not focused as a team, then you wonder who to point the finger to blame. The Rays are not a sharp team right now, and their tentativeness is costing them games.

Rays in a Daze

It’s not to say that Cash’s job is on the line, but at the same time, it’s hard not to point a finger at the manager. Especially when the Rays’ struggles come from the core aspect of a lack of focus, not being prepared, and almost appearing lost. It’s one thing to go through a team-wide slump,  but it’s there’s another to be playing with uncertainty. How can you possibly come out ready to win when there’s a lack of focus? Can the Rays become better prepared for games in the next few series? Changes and adjustments need to be made, as it is a tight race in a competitive AL East. If the Rays want to gain traction, it will need to come against tough competition.