Tampa Bay Rays Make Defense Key Priority

“Our defense has been really good, and I can be honest and say that there was some uncertainty around it coming out of Spring Training,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said, according to MLB.com. “You watch how the guys go about their business, whether it's the outfield or in the infield, leading into batting practice. They really take their craft seriously.”

Third-base coach Brady Williams key role in defense

Tampa Bay third-base coach Brady Williams plays a key role in getting the Rays defense ready to go. Hours before a game begins, Williams is hitting ground balls to infielders. He wants them to be ready for any situation in the infield.

“They’re coming out hot,” Lowe said. “You get those balls hit at the max they can hit it, it makes the game ground balls seem a little bit easier, a little bit slower. You train to the high end, speed everything up on you early, so that when you're in the game, you can slow things down.”

José Caballero has been a steady hand on defense wherever he might be playing in a game. He is fine with taking pregame ground balls seriously.

“That’s the key for us, just the intensity and how serious we take practice, so it becomes easier in the game,” he said. “I feel like we speed the practice up, slow the game down.”

Any team that plays the Rays will have to adjust its strategies when dealing with the squad's outstanding defense. Tampa Bay's players are ready and willing to make game-saving plays when necessary.