Tampa Bay Rays Fall in MLB Power Rankings

While the Tampa Bay Rays have been battling to stay relevant in the American League East race, a few setbacks cost them a spot in the new MLB Power Rankings.

The Rays fell apart against the Baltimore Orioles, Athletics and Minnesota Twins, losing series to all three sub-.500 teams. That didn't help them in their quest for possible postseason play. Because of this, Tampa Bay fell to No. 9 in the MLB Power Rankings, according to The Athletic.

"This is a big week for Tampa Bay, which has hit a snag with three straight series losses to teams under .500 in the Orioles, Athletics and Twins," Tim Britton of The Athletic wrote. 

Junior Caminero leads Tampa Bay in home runs

"That’s why it was Toronto who leapfrogged the Yankees into first, rather than these Rays," Britton wrote. "The schedule gets tougher now, with trips this week to Detroit (for three) and Boston (for four). The good news is Tampa Bay just welcomed Ha-Seong Kim back, which should provide some stability in the middle infield and allow some other versatile pieces to move around."

Junior Caminero leads the team with 21 homers and 57 RBI. Jonathan Aranda tops Tampa Bay average-wise with a .319 BA along with 10 home runs and 48 RBI. Yandy Díaz is next at .289 with 14 homers and 52 RBI, according to StatMuse. 

Tampa Bay is currently 49-42 in the AL East, four games behind the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays. The Rays had been chasing the New York Yankees all season long, but New York's recent slump sent them into second place.

Manager Kevin Cash will need to find a way to get the Rays back on the winning track this week. If he can succeed, then Tampa Bay might make a run to get past the Yankees and get closer to Toronto.