Kevin Cash speaks out after Rays win first AL East title since 2021

NEW YORK — A few hours after losing the first game of a day-night doubleheader to the New York Yankees, 2-0, at Yankee Stadium, the Tampa Bay Rays had a game to remember a few hours later. They won the American League East title by beating New York, 6-1, their first crown since 2021.  

The Rays started celebrating at 10:11 p.m. after closer Bryan Baker induced George Lombard Jr. to ground out to end the game. Then the champagne started flowing 10 minutes later. 

Rays are a well-balanced team

What made the Rays different was that they played all facets of the game well. They didn’t rely just on Junior Caminero or Jonathan Aranda for the long ball; they played small ball. For example, the Rays currently lead the AL in stolen bases (160) and the majors in sacrifice bunts (45).

“(The small ball) was a byproduct of our roster," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "If you look at Cedric Mullins, Chandler Simpson and Wallsy (Taylor Walls), guys with a lot of speed and make a lot of contact, why not put pressure on defenses. It kind of caught like wildfire because they had so much success. They were so good at it that there was confidence that carried out into the season."  

The Rays can pitch, too. They are seventh in the league in ERA (3.67) and lead the major leagues with 57 saves. Acquiring right-hander Nick Martinez via free agency was a godsend. He has 15 wins with a 2.94 ERA. However, he is more than just a quality pitcher.    

“He is fun to watch. He is an awesome leader for us. What a clubhouse guy. I could give him all the credit for mostly everything that has happened this year,” Walls said about Martinez. "This is my first year knowing him. He is the same guy no matter where you see him. He takes care of everybody. He is positive, always has a smile on his face. He is always doing something that could benefit someone else. If there was one MVP on this team, it would be him.”  

Right-hander Drew Rasmussen is the ace of the staff and pitched like one in the division clincher, allowing a run in 6.2 innings and striking out 11. He didn’t allow a hit until the top of the seventh inning, when Heliot Ramos led off with a double.

“It’s the culmination of a lot of things coming together,” Rasmussen told MLB TV. “We had the conversation in February that this group had the opportunity to be special. To see all the hard work the guys have put in offensively, defensively and the mound — I mean, this is what it is all about. I’m happy everyone is enjoying it.”

When the postseason starts, the Rays will be awaiting the winner of the American League Wild Card Series. It’s a possibility they could be facing the Yankees again in October.

“That’s a very talented team and we know we could be seeing them in another 10 to 12 days,” Cash said about the Bronx Bombers.     

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.