October 11, 2029: ALDS Game 4
 

We're going to Canada...

https://i.imgur.com/H4TUiz4.png

Anthony Rendon was acquired at the trade deadline for this express purpose, to come through with the big hits at the big times, and today he most certainly did and a result the Rays' 2029 season will continue in two days in Toronto for an all-or-nothing Game 5. Rendon's 2-run double made it 4-1 in the decisive 3-run 5th, and he added an RBI two-bagger in the 7th to give them some breathing room. Coupled with an outstanding start from Donye Evans, perhaps the waiver wire pickup of the years, and suddenly hope remains. Once again Aldry Acosta turn in a sizable lead into a tentative one and once again Edwin Diaz had to come on to save but aside from that the only negative is that Rendon strained his quadriceps on that second double, and is a question mark for Game 5. If he's anything but "out" he'll play obviously since it's a deciding game. Bryce Eldridge will get the ball for that deciding game and while I don't like the matchup against Toronto ace Luis Medina, it's a matchup the Rays took in Game 1.

Also forcing a Game 5 were the Houston Astros, thanks in large part to a huge game from Ray-for-a-season Kyle Tucker, and they get to go home for it:

https://i.imgur.com/1CRHwl9.png

October 12, 2029: NLDS Game 5
 

High drama in the ATL:

https://i.imgur.com/YfGEjgC.png

Jordan Walker dramatically tied the game for the Cardinals in the 9th with a one-out, 2-run homer to send it to extras but he only delayed Atlanta's celebration instead of denying it as Matt Olson took Kyle Nicolas deep in the bottom of the 12th to walk it off and set up an NLCS date with the Dodgers.

October 13, 2029: ALDS Game 5
 

There is no jay in Rayville...

https://i.imgur.com/OXpDV9z.png

This one hurts. The Rays got out of the blocks fast thanks to another big Anthony Rendon hit, a 3-run homer, got another shot from Ozzie Albies and the story was going to be about how the grizzled vets with WS rings were leading them to the ALCS. And Bryce Eldridge outdueled Luis Medina once again. But it all fell apart in the 7th. After JP Sears breezed through the 6th, he came out for the 7th and put a couple of men on, giving up a run and then setup man Trey Riley poured gasoline on the fire, giving up a tying homer and then two more runs. The offense was demoralized after this and they couldn't do anything until with two out in the 9th Rendon and Santana were hit by pitches and then wild-pitched into scoring position. But alas the Mighty Mitsuyoshi (Arakawa) struck out and the season was over.

Who will Toronto face in the ALCS?

https://i.imgur.com/TIT0Wl2.png

That would be the Houston Astros, who rode another huge game from Series MVP Kyle Tucker to victory.

The 2029 LCS Round
 

Before we get into the LCS roundups, there were a host of retirements among players who finished their careers in the minors this year.

Former Rays: Brett Phillips, Luke Raley, Christian Arroyo, Francisco Mejia, Yonny Chirinos, J.P. Feyereisen
Other notables: Noah Syndergaard, Anthony Santander, Framber Valdez, Cody Bellinger, Devin Williams

As far as the LCSes go, we're going to be partying like it was 1992 in the World Series:

https://i.imgur.com/7A2gjss.png
https://i.imgur.com/fqDWa1X.png

Houston took an early 2-0 lead in Toronto but the Jays fought all the way back to return to the World Series for the first time since Joe Carter walked it off against Mitch Williams in 1993.

https://i.imgur.com/nTk46HQ.png

Atlanta had an easier time of it, are back in the Series after losing to the Rays in 2026 and looking for their first title since 2021.

The 2029 World Series
 

Just like 1992...

https://i.imgur.com/DviCsUb.png
https://i.imgur.com/8m5A4kn.png


Sotelo was 9-22 with 1 HR and 6 RBI as at least the Rays lost in the playoffs to the eventual champs, who won their first World Series in 36 years.

2029-30 Offseason: State of the Team
 

2029 was a weird season as the team struggled to break the gravitational pull of .500 for the first four months before getting red hot and finishing with 92 wins and the first AL wild card. A tough loss in the ALDS to Toronto ended the season, and now we face a challenging offseason with some key players entering free agency and little to no help forthcoming from the farm system.

We lose our starting CF of the past few years (Zach DeLoach), both our 3B (Anthony Rendon, Marco Luciano), our top starter (John Swanda), our closer (Edwin Diaz) and our top lefty setup man (Jovani Moran). So yeah, it's going to be a challenge. The good news is that we'll have some money to spend. We've been given a $160M payroll by Stu Sternberg and here are the salary commitments for 2030:

https://i.imgur.com/OVIUNda.png

There are also going to be some non-tenders in this group (Espino, Jeffers, Cousins, Ruegger) which will save almost $10M, leaving commitments of about $104M and therefore up to $56M to spend. I have reached out to Luciano about an extension to fill 3B, offering 3/16.5.

So here's where things stand position-by-position:

Catcher: Angel Rivera wasn't bad, hitting for power, drawing walks, and playing decent defense, although he did hit about .210. With Jeffers getting the axe we'll need a backup. 2025 first-round pick Easton Carmichael could be that guy. He's hit well at Durham despite a 45 contact tool and he doesn't have a lot of power but is a decent catcher.

First Base: Junior Caminero returns, no issues there.

Second Base: Ditto for Ozzie Albies.

Shortstop: And the same for Wander Franco.

Third Base: Luciano seems receptive to our offer, so I'm penciling him in there. If not we'll need to find one as Freili Encarnacion has been OK as a fill-in but I'm not sure I want to make him the man.

Infield: We'll need a backup infielder. Max Viera who's been up before could work as might 2022 first-round pick RJ Austin who's never lived up to billing.

Left Field: Natanael Santana is coming off a 45-homer season.

Center Field: DeLoach leaving deprives us of our CF and leadoff hitter. He did drop off in 29 and is now 31, so we're not going to pay him what he'd get on the open market. Elijah Green did a tremendous job filling in last year, hitting for power (17 HR in 224 AB) and playing 70-grade defense so he has the inside track for now but he only hit .228 overall.

Right Field: This has been the domain of James Wood and he can be back, but I've few players underachieve their ratings like him. We're talking 60 contact and 65 power and that only translated to 194/285/371 last season. And to make matters worse he tore his labrum and will be out through at least some time in April, meaning he won't be with the big club until May after missing Spring Training. So help might be needed here. Mitsuyoski Arakawa could fill in as he did late in the season after Wood got hurt, but he too underachieved his ratings at 188/305/406 although he has a great power/speed/defense combo but 45 contact. Arakawa can also fill in some at CF.

Outfield: Arakawa is the nominal 4th OF for now if we count Wood and there isn't much help in the minors as Hendry Mendez is probably our best option on the 40-man but he's bat-only with a mediocre glove.

DH: Nelson Haro hit as hoped as a rookie and we're looking for him to improve a little bit on his 310/333/478 with some more power.

Rotation: Swanda will be missed although he had a mediocre 2029 after being our ace the previous two years. We still have several options though: Bryce Eldridge, Walt Khattak, Luis German, Donye Evans (a revelation), and Taj Bradley who returns from a torn meniscus that cost him the second half of the season. JP Sears also was very effective filling in and Eric Orze is a possibility although he flopped last year.

Bullpen: A lot of work needed here. There's no true closer with Diaz gone. Trey Riley was the setup man but he seemed to falter in big moments (including Game 5 of the ALDS) and Aldry Acosta had a nice year (110 Ks in 95 IP over 68 games as we worked him hard). Ryan Okuda rebounded from his disastrous first half to give us a lefty in the pen but I'm not sure I trust him like I did Moran, Tanner Dodson was a good waiver pickup, and Sears and Orze may figure in as might veteran lefty Adrian Morejon (although with 40 movement he won't be used in high-leverage situations).

So here are the goals for the 29-30 offseason as we'll realistically have about $40M to play with, leaving $10M available in-season:

1) Find 1 or 2 impact OFs, preferably one who can play CF.
2) Beef up the bench at all positions (C, IF, OF)
3) Find a power reliever who can close

I also wouldn't turn down a good starter but that's not a desperate need.

2029-30 Offseason, Part 1
 

Another huge batch of retirements were announced after the World Series.

Notables: Aaron Nola, Ian Happ, Gary Sanchez, JT Realmuto, Jacob deGrom (Mets retired his #38), Marcus Semien, Javier Baez, Max Fried, Zach Eflin, Kris Bryant, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Brandon Woodruff, Austin Hays, Eric Hosmer, Andrew Benintendi, Raisel Iglesias.

Only one former Ray of note retired and it was a big one: Blake Snell, who won the 2018 Cy Young with Tampa Bay.

November 7: Signed 3B Marco Luciano to a 3/16.5 extension.

As expected. We now have a 3B for next season.

Awards season:

Gold Gloves: No Tampa Bay winners.

Reliever of the Year: Well this is a shock:

https://i.imgur.com/Dp7f51c.png

OOTP's Reliever of the Year awards always seem to be the goofiest and this one was no exception. Riley had a nice year as a setup guy (1.9 WAR) but Reliever of the Year? C'mon. I voted for Hernandez, who earned 2.9 WAR and had 50 saves. In the NL the winner was Atlanta's Will Vest with 21 first-place votes to Josh Hader's 9 and while Vest was excellent with 46 saves, a microscopic 0.49 ERA and 3.6 WAR, Hader earned the first 5.0 WAR season from a reliever I've noticed in my saves, sporting an 0.51 ERA, 32 saves, 125 whiffs and 0(!) HR allowed in 70 IP and got my vote.

Silver Sluggers: Wander's excellent season got him the AL award at SS.

Rookie of the Year: Texas C Mike Montoya, who spent most of the year at DH, was a unanimous AL winner after an impressive .296-36-102 season. Our Nelson Haro finished 4th. In the NL Miami 1B Nate McCollum took the honors thanks to a .273-33-85 maiden year.

Cy Young: There was never any doubt here as Texas hurler Robert Ahlstrom, considered the best pitcher in baseball and winner of the pitching Triple Crown in the AL, was a unanimous winner. He was 19-6, 2.23 with 291 whiffs in 230 IP. The Dodgers' Trevor Rogers won in the NL with 21 first-place votes after a 16-7, 3.17 year with 234 Ks in 210 IP. Rogers' teammate and former Ray Luis Patino (18-4, 3.19) finished second and picked up 3 first-place votes.

MVP: It was a photo finish between two Toronto teammates for the AL MVP with Bo Bichette (16 first-place votes, 349 points) edging out Vlad Guerrero Jr (14,339). Bo had a huge .340-45-120 year culminating in a World Series title and led MLB in WAR with 9.8. Wander Franco finished 4th. In the NL the winner was San Diego's Fernando Tatis Jr., his 2nd MVP having won in 2023. Tatis garnered 29 of the 30 first-place votes with a .299-42-131, 8.5-WAR season.

November 25: We lost our only arbitration case with Taj Bradley getting $4.6M instead of the $4.2M we proposed but it will hardly make a dent in the $ we have to spend this winter. Also Zach DeLoach and John Swanda both turned down qualifying offers so we'll net a couple of high draft picks next year.

November 30: We have a trade!

https://i.imgur.com/84IMspB.png

We have our closer as Rodriguez boasts 80 stuff and 60 movement. (And 35 control, but we won't talk about that). He fanned an astounding 123 men in 61 IP last season, giving him Edwin Diaz-like strikeout numbers without as good control. But as long as we don't bring him into a bases-loaded situation we should be OK and he's only making $1.6M. Lumas was our #1 pick in 2027 but has seen his ratings slashed to the point where he looks like a marginal big leaguer.

December 4: First big free-agent signing as Joey Gallo joins (re-joins) the Dodgers on a 2/42 deal. In this universe Gallo has been a consistent 35-40 HR guy and has managed to keep his BA on the right side of the Mendoza line.

December 5: 33-year-old C Tyler Stephenson got a 5/108 deal from the White Sox. While Stephenson is good this seems pricey and lengthy for a catcher well past 30.

December 11: Veteran OF Bryan Reynolds joins Atlanta for 4/81 while 3B Bobby Witt Jr. signs a massive 7/182 deal with the Phillies, leaving the only team he knew in Kansas City. Witt won't be available until mid-season as he's recovering from a torn PCL.

December 12: Old friend Pete Fairbanks inked a 1/3.5 contract with the Cubs.

December 13: Jake Cousins, who spent most of 2029 in our pen, joined the Phillies for 1/3. Meanwhile Baltimore won the draft lottery, moving up from the 5th spot.

December 15: Corbin Carroll, who had to settle for a 1-year-deal with the Dodgers last year and had a bounceback season, inked a 3/47 pact with Atlanta.

December 20: A free agent signing for us!

https://i.imgur.com/JKVTJkq.png

We get the lefty reliever we were looking for - Gonzalez is rated 55/65/60 and has earned 3.3 WAR combined over the previous two seasons with Miami.

December 21: Our closer of the past two seasons Edwin Diaz is now a Brewer on a 2/22 deal.

December 22: And there goes our CF of the last several years as Zach DeLoach joins the San Antonio Seagulls (formerly the Pirates) on a 6/106 deal. He's 31 now and slipped last year so I'm not optimistic about that contract. We net a supplemental 1st-round pick out of it.

December 23: The Phillies have been spending on their bullpen and they signed one of the best today, longtime Cardinal closer Keith Ginkel, to a 2/28 contract. Ginkel saved 249 games in his last 6 full season with St. Louis. Speaking of star closers, Milwaukee sent 35-year-old Josh Hader to the Angels for a prospect as Hader enters the final year of his contract.

December 26: It says something about the sad state of our farm system that there really wasn't anyone exciting worth adding to the 40-man to protect from the Rule 5 draft. We did add 3B Cam Collier and Jose Marsh, mainly because we had a ton of spots (and still only have 34 on the roster which tells you a lot). Collier, once a touted prospect, was a minor league signing last year and Marsh was a draft pick a while back and both are viewed as depth only. Of course if there's someone worth taking in Rule 5 we have more than enough room.

December 27: 22 players went in the Rule 5 draft, none of which were ours. There was one reliever I would have taken but Seattle snapped him up at #6. A few once-big names changed teams: Gavin Lux, Dylan Cease and Steven Kwan are were taken but are obviously not who they once were.

The international free agent class always provides some bargains and we inked two of these guys to minor league deals today:

https://i.imgur.com/PYMtSGA.png

The veteran Kurokawa has a broad-based skill set and is a RH bat, so he has some short-side platoon potential with us.

https://i.imgur.com/v9otGir.png

The Cuban Mesa has a similar skill set to Max Viera, a guy who's been up and down for us in recent seasons (and who's still at Durham), but with a much better eye albeit the same somewhat suspect D at 2B. Ozzie of course is set there for now and 1B/DH are spoken for as well so Mesa will be a depth guy for now.

December 28: Former Rays starter Luis Castillo has joined the Mets on a 2/20 deal. He's lost some stuff since getting hurt with Cleveland after he left us and had a 4.61 ERA last year.

December 29: And there goes Josh Swanda as our former ace signed a big 6/140 deal with Detroit. We net another compensatory first-rounder, giving us 3 high picks next year as we need to rebuild our lousy farm system.

2029-30 Offseason, Part 2
 

January 1: Aaron Judge, a bit of a vagabond of late and now 37, parlayed a big bounceback year with Arizona (37 HR, 96 RBI) into a 1-year, $8.7 deal with St. Louis.

January 7: Well we kicked off the next year with a huge trade:

https://i.imgur.com/1fhxdGr.png

We had $45M burning a hole in our pocket and desperately needed an outfielder with only 3 on the active roster and not much help forthcoming in the minors, so we grabbed a 1-year rental in Yordan Alvarez for mainly the salary cost as neither Contreras nor Santana are significant prospects. Alvarez's production has suffered the last couple of years with injuries but his ratings remain elite and I'm crossing my fingers he stays relatively healthy and productive, giving us a middle-of-the-order force. For what it's worth the fan interest increased significantly.

January 9: The Hall-of-Fame balloting is in and we have two new inductees.

SP Max Scherzer 96.6 (1st year) Inducted HOF
2B Robinson Cano 81.2 (2nd year) Inducted HOF
C Joe Mauer 60.9 (7th year)
SP Adam Wainwright 56.2 (1st year)
1B Joey Votto 55.0 (2nd year)
C Yadier Molina 54.4 (3rd year)
SP David Price 30.0 (1st year)
SP Felix Hernandez 22.2 (6th year)

Scherzer sailed to Cooperstown in his first year of eligibility and Robinson Cano only had to wait one extra year himself. It's a tough road for Joe Mauer as he still needs 14-15% more with three more tries left. Adam Wainwright has some hope as well with his strong first-year showing.

January 10: Philly's bullpen binge continued with a 3/29 deal for former Ray Camilo Doval.

January 12: Anthony Rendon, who was Anthony Rental for us last season, signed a 2/37 contract with Oakland.

January 17: Charlie Ruegger, in our bullpen parts of the last few years before being non-tendered, signed a 1-year, $2M deal with who else? - the Phillies.

February 6: Signed free agent SP Erovis Alcantara to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,040,000<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]-->.

Alcantara, who spent his career-to-date with the White Sox, is an interesting dude - 80 stuff as a starter and struck out 135 in 94 IP with Chicago last year as a swingman. So why so cheap? 35 movement and 45 control, that's why. He was still good for 2.2 WAR in those innings and since we needed another pitcher why not? He's ticketed for long relief right now.

So with that signing all that's left on our "to-do" list is to find a backup catcher. 2027 3rd round pick Cade Arrambide is the nominal backup at the moment. He has 45 contact, 50 power, and 55 defense (with 65 potential) and he doesn't look any worse that than the usual free agent suspects so he could be the man unless an unexpected trade opportunity arises.

March 4: I forgot we needed a legit backup MI, so I remedied that:

Despite his solid numbers, some fans questioned the value of the Amed Rosario signing even as Tampa Bay officials paraded him before the media this afternoon.

Rosario will surely bring a lot to the club, but he comes at a price of $2,200,000 over 1 year.

Rosario is hitting at a .259 rate over his 1373-game career. Lifetime he has 234 doubles, 56 triples and 88 home runs with 466 RBIs and 603 runs scored.

Rosario can also play the outfield corners, giving us real positional flexibility.

2030 Opening Day Roster and Preseason Predictions
 

Made it through Spring Training injury-free.

The Opening Day Roster:

C-A.Rivera, Arrambide
1B-Caminero
2B-Albies
SS-W.Franco
3B-Luciano
IF-A.Rosario, Viera
LF-Y.Alvarez
CF-E.Green
RF-N.Santana
OF-Arakawa
DH-Haro

SP-German, Bradley, Evans, Eldridge, Khattak
LR-E.Alcantara, Sears
MR-V.Gonzalez, Orze, Dodson, Okuda
SU-Acosta, Riley
CL-R.Rodriguez

Max Viera made the team over Robby Castillo due to being out of options. RJ Austin and Lonnie White, who were out of options, were put on waivers.

A look at the team:

https://i.imgur.com/N2lo9Dq.png

The preseason predictions, which don't like us at all:

https://i.imgur.com/x7oMiWr.png

Not sure why they think Aldry Acosta is going to be a 21st-century Mike Marshall (103 appearances, 146 IP!).

April 1-4, 2030: vs Boston (4)
 

Opening Day:

https://i.imgur.com/Caf6kCz.png

The Rays got 2030 off on a losing note as the bullpen blew a lead in regulation and then lost it in extras. Luis German pitched great and they took a 3-2 lead into the 7th before Aldry Acosta gave up a 2-run homer. After coming back to tie in the bottom of the frame Tampa Bay then lost when new closer Randy Rodriguez struggled in his second inning of work, giving up a pair of runs that gave Boston the win. The loss overshadowed fine offensive games from Ozzie Albies (2 doubles and a homer) and Yordan Alvarez in his Rays debut (on base 4 times, drove in a run).

Game 2: 2-6 L. LP-Bradley (0-1, 4.2 9 5 5 0 4). HR-Arakawa (1). Taj was hit hard and the Rays were never really in this one.

Game 3: 1-4 L. LP-Evans (0-1, 4.2 3 2 2 2 9). Maybe that 77-85 preseason prediction was on to something - heck, maybe it was optimistic the way the Rays have started the year. Today the bats were silent until a too-little, too-late rally in the 9th which saw a run in and the bases loaded before Marco Luciano grounded into a game-ending double play.

Game 4: 4-0 W. WP-Eldridge (1-0, 6 2 0 0 0 10). The Rays finally got into the win column for 2030 thanks to a dominant effort from Eldridge and a 2-run Haro double in the 4th was the game's big hit. Ozzie Albies continued his torrid start to the season by going 3-3 with an RBI double and two steals.

Team record: 1-3. Next up: Off to Texas for 3 games.

April 5-7, 2030: at Texas (3)
 

Game 1: 3-1 W (10). WP-R.Rodriguez (1-1). S-Okuda (1). Starter-Khattak (6 5 1 0 2 2). HR-Santana (1). Santana's 2-run homer in the 10th won it for the Rays after a well-pitched game as the Rays made it two straight wins after opening the season with three losses.

Game 2: 2-3 L (10). LP-Okuda (0-1). Starter-German (7 3 1 1 1 7). HR-Arakawa (2). Rays took a 2-1 lead into the 8th before Aldry Acosta gave up his second critical homer in three outings this year and they lost it in 10. The bats were lame again with only 6 hits.

Game 3: 4-5 L (12). LP-Sears (0-1). Starter-Bradley (4 10 3 3 2 3, 2 HR). Once again the bullpen failed as Trey Riley gave up the tying homer in the 8th just like Acosta did yesterday and for the second straight day they lost on a sac fly. Bradley was horrid for the second time in as many starts but they fought back to go ahead 4-3 on a 2-run Santana triple.

Team record: 2-5. We're 29th out of 30 in the power rankings which is fitting since this team is punchless so far. Yordan Alvarez is hitting 125/300/125, and that's including a nice opening day. Next up: 3 games in Detroit.

April 8-10, 2030: at Detroit (3)
 

Game 1: 8-4 W. WP-Evans (1-1, 5 5 4 4 4 5). HR-Caminero (1), E.Green (2). Rays jumped out to a 7-0 lead by the 3rd and cruised from there. Wander was 4-5 with a ribbie, Caminero drove in 3 with a 2-run homer and single and Elijah Green had an inside-the-park homer.

Game 2: 3-5 L. LP-Eldridge (1-1, 7 6 4 4 2 5). HR-Luciano (1). Marco Luciano, in a 1-for-31 slump to the start the year, homered in the 7th to put the Rays up 3-2 but Eldridge and the pen couldn't hold the lead.

Game 3: 3-1 W. WP-Khattak (1-0, 6 5 1 1 1 4). S-R.Rodriguez (1). Khattak was sharp and Natanael Santana was the offense, going 3-4 with 2 RBI while Randy Rodriguez picked up his first Rays save and the Rays took their first series in 2030.

Team record: 4-6. Next up: An off-day then our Midwest road trip continues with 3 in St. Louis.

MLB News: Former Ray and current Nat Spencer Torkelson hit career homer #300.

April 12-14, 2030: at St. Louis (3)
 

Game 1: 2-3 L (12). LP-E.Alcantara (0-1). Starter-German (6 4 1 1 2 6). HR-Albies (2), Y.Alvarez (1). For the third time this year Aldry Acosta blew a lead, giving up a run in the 7th to send us to extras where the bats couldn't get anything going. At least Yordan Alvarez hit his first Rays homer.

Game 2: 6-11 L. LP-Bradley (0-2, 3.2 6 6 6 3 5). HR-Y.Alvarez (2), Santana (2). Bradley was horrible for the third time in three starts (although the .511 BABIP against isn't doing him any favors), and after the Rays got back within 6-5 on Alvarez's 3-run shot Eric Orze gave up 3 homers in 2 innings to put the game out of reach.

Game 3: 7-5 W. WP-E.Alcantara (1-1). S-R.Rodriguez (2). Starter-Evans (4.1 6 3 3 3 8). HR-Caminero (2). Caminero's 3-run homer proved to be the difference as the Rays salvaged the finale. Unfortunately we couldn't enjoy the win as Ozzie Albies suffered an intercostal strain and will be out a month.

Team record: 5-8. Next up: Back home for 4 against the Yankees.

April 15-18, 2030: vs NY Yankees (4)
 

Transaction: Ozzie Albies goes on the IL and Cuban rookie Victor Mesa is up from Durham, where he was hitting 351/351/730 with 3 HR in 37 AB.

Game 1: 1-8 L. LP-Eldridge (1-2, 6 6 7 7 1 5). It was a 2-1 game going into the 6th when Eldridge was hit for 5 runs. Santana was 3-3 with a double.

Game 2: 6-4 W. WP-Khattak (2-0, 5.2 3 2 2 3 7). S-R.Rodriguez (3). HR-Mesa (1). Haro was 3-5 with 3 doubles and 3 RBI while Victor Mesa hit his first MLB homer.

Game 3: 3-2 W. WP-German (1-0, 6 3 1 1 1 10). S-Riley (1). HR-Haro (1). Another big day for Nelson Haro, 3-4 with his first homer of the year as German was dominant.

Game 4: 2-3 L. LP-Acosta (0-1). Starter-Bradley (6 3 2 2 1 6). HR-E.Green (3). Taj turned in by far his best start of the year but it wasn't enough thanks to a limp offense which managed only 4 hits. Aldry Acosta gave up his 3rd back-breaking homer of the year and this one lost it.

Team record: 7-10. Next up: 3 games in Oakland.

April 19-21, 2030: at Oakland (3)
 

Game 1: 3-4 L. LP-Evans (1-2, 4 6 4 4 2 7). HR-Arakawa (3). Donye Evans hasn't been quite as electric as he was down the stretch last year and this offense isn't going to overcome 4 early runs against too often although they came close today despite getting only 4 hits.

Transaction: James Wood's rehab time was up so he was activated and Victor Mesa sent back to Durham as he had options and Max Viera didn't, so Viera will take over 2B in Ozzie Albies' absence.

Game 2: 6-7 L. LP-Eldridge (1-3, 6.2 5 5 5 2 4). Rays led 3-1 in the 6th before Oakland tied it in the bottom of the inning and put 3 on the board in the 7th off a tiring Eldridge and a bases-clearing double allowed by Victor Gonzalez. They fought back and nearly took the lead in the 9th but fell short, the story of 2030 so far. Wander had a 2-run single and Max Viera had 3 hits including an RBI double.

Game 3: 3-2 W. WP-Khattak (3-0, 7 6 2 2 1 5). S-R.Rodriguez (4). Walt Khattak has been the one bright spot this year and he was excellent again today. His mates squeaked out enough offense to win with Wander and Caminero each with 2 hits and an RBI while Yordan Alvarez was 3-5 with a double.

Team record: 8-12. Next up: 3 games in New York against the Yankees, who aren't doing a whole lot better at 10-10.

April 22-24, 2030: at NY Yankees (3)
 

Game 1: 10-5 W. WP-German (2-0, 5 7 3 2 1 8). HR-Rivera (1), Luciano (2), Caminero (3), Viera (1), Arakawa (4). Rays overcame a 3-0 deficit after 2 by scoring 6 in the 3rd including Caminero's 3-run tie-breaking shot as he drove in 4 on the day. Max Viera was 2-5 with 3 runs scored and his own 2-run homer.

Game 2: 4-1 W. WP-Bradley (1-2, 6 3 0 0 2 5). S-R.Rodriguez (5). HR-Luciano (3). Luciano's 3-run homer in the 2nd backed Bradley's best outing of the season as the Rays made it 3 straight wins.

Game 3: 5-2 W. WP-Gonzalez (1-0). S-R.Rodriguez (6). Starter-Evans (1.1 0 0 0 0 3). HR-Luciano (4). There may be hope for this team yet as they completed the sweep of New York despite having to use 8 pitchers when Donye Evans went down in the 2nd with an oblique strain. With the score 2-2 in the 7th Gonzalez got Trey Riley out of a bases-loaded nobody-out jam with no runs scoring, and Rodriguez walked the bases loaded in the 9th but got two whiffs to escape. Yordan Alvarez's RBI double in the 8th was the winning hit and Caminero's 2-run single iced it.

Team record: 11-12. Next up: An off-day then we're home to play 3 against 15-8 Toronto, although it's 16-6 Boston which leads the division.

Rays news: We signed veteran lefty reliever Garrett Crochet to a minor league deal after he was let go by Milwaukee.

April 26-28, 2030: vs Toronto (3)
 

Game 1: 2-3 L. LP-Eldridge (1-4, 5 6 3 2 2 5). Rays tied it in the 5th on Yordan Alvarez's 2-run single but Toronto got the winner in the 6th and that was the end of the scoring.

Game 2: 7-3 W. WP-Khattak (4-0, 6 7 3 3 1 5). HR-Viera (2), Arakawa (5). Viera's 2-run homer in the 1st and Arakawa's slam in the 3rd staked the Rays to a 6-0 lead and they never looked back as Khattak's strong start to the season continued.

Game 3: 6-0 W. WP-German (3-0, 6.2 1 0 0 4 9). HR-E.Green (4), Caminero (4), Alvarez (3). This was a 1-0 game until the bottom of the 8th on a Green triple and run scored before Tampa Bay bats unloaded for 5 runs on 3 homers. Luis German was dominant and lowered his ERA to 1.23 in the process.

Team record: 13-13. Believe it or not, that's actually good enough for the third wild card spot but we're still 6 behind Boston which is off to a 19-7 start. Next up: An off-day then the Angels visit for 3 games.

MLB News: The Dodgers are on a 14-game winning streak, now 20-6 after starting the year 6-6. Also three star players are done for the year or nearly so as the Cubs' Trea Turner broke his kneecap, Miami's Marcelo Mayer broke a bone in his elbow and the Cardinals' Aaron Judge tore a back muscle. Of the three only Judge might be back in September.

April 30-May 2, 2030: vs LA Angels (3)
 

Game 1: 1-2 L (11). LP-E.Alcantara (1-2). Starter-Bradley (6 6 1 1 1 7). HR-Caminero (5). Five hits in 11 innings isn't going to cut it, and the Rays succumbed to the Angels in 11.

Game 2: 5-6 L. LP-R.Rodriguez (1-2). Starter-Eldridge (5.2 7 4 4 1 5). HR-Caminero (6), Alvarez (4). Yordan Alvarez's dramatic homer in the 8th tied it up but Randy Rodriguez coughed up a homer of his own in the 9th and the Rays lost another one-run heartbreaker late.

Game 3: 3-2 W. WP-Acosta (1-1). S-Dodson (1). Starter-Evans (4 4 2 2 1 8). HR-Luciano (5). Today it was the Rays' turn to win it late with Junior Caminero singling in Yordan Alvarez, who had hit his second double of the game in the 8th.

Team record: 14-15. Next up: Oakland visits for 3.

MLB News: The Dodgers' win streak has now reached 16 games.

May 3-5, 2030: vs Oakland (3)
 

Game 1: 5-0 W. WP-Khattak (5-0, 9 3 0 0 1 11). HR-Wood (1), Alvarez (5), Franco (1). Walt Khattak has been brilliant this year but today he took it to another level to improve to 5-0, 1.82. Wood's 3-run homer was the big blow to back him.

Game 2: 3-5 L. LP-German (3-1, 6 5 4 4 1 7). HR-Alvarez (6). German took his first loss of the year while Alvarez stayed hot with his 3rd homer in 4 games but it wasn't enough.

Game 3: 7-2 W. WP-Bradley (2-2, 7 4 1 0 0 6). S-Riley (2). HR-Alvarez (7), Santana (3). Taj was terrific and Yordan Alvarez homered for the third straight game and 4th time in 5, including a tie-breaking RBI single in the 7th as the Rays scored thrice in that inning and the 8th to pull away.

Team record: 16-16, a game out of the third wild card. Next up: 4 games in New York against the Yankees, right behind us at 15-17.

MLB News: One-time #1 overall pick (in 2018) Casey Mize saw his career end as he needs elbow ligament reconstruction surgery once again and decided to hang it up.

May 6-9, 2030: at NY Yankees (4)
 

Game 1: 4-5 L. LP-R.Rodriguez (1-3). Starter-Eldridge (6 7 2 2 2 5). HR-Wood 2 (3). Rays led this 4-2 in the 8th on a 2-run shot by Wood, his 2nd homer of the game, but Acosta (who else?) gave up 2 in the 8th and the Yankees got the winner off R-Rod in the 9th.

Game 2: 2-4 L. LP-E.Alcantara (1-3). Starter-Evans (4.1 5 2 2 3 7). HR-E.Green (5). Rinse and repeat - Green's 2-run pinch-homer in the 7th tied it up at 2 but the bullpen gave it back right away.

Game 3: 4-5 L. LP-Khattak (5-1, 6 6 5 1 0 4). HR-Franco (2), Wood (4). This one was on the starter for a change as Khattak (with help from a key Caminero error) gave up 4 in the 5th on a couple of homers to let it get away.

Game 4: 1-4 L. LP-German (3-2, 5 5 2 2 4 7). The Rays made the misery complete by being swept in the 4-game series and falling 4 below .500 as the anemic bats could only manage four hits.

Team record: 16-20. Next up: We hop on I-95 south to play 3 in Philadelphia.

May 10-12, 2030: at Philadelphia (3)
 

Game 1: 4-12 L. LP-Sears (0-2). Starter-Bradley (5 7 4 4 0 3, 3 HR). HR-Luciano (6). They actually led 3-0 early before the wheels fell off with Sears allowing 4 runs in the 6th to lose this one.

Game 2: 2-8 L. LP-Eldridge (1-5, 5.2 7 4 4 1 6). HR-Rivera (2). This one was also close in the middle innings before the Phillies pulled away, sending the Rays to their sixth straight loss.

Game 3: 10-1 W. WP-Evans (2-2, 5 2 1 1 4 5). HR-Santana (4), Luciano (7), Arakawa (6). The Rays got a dead cat bounce in the finale, snapping their 6-game losing skid. Luciano drove in 5, including a slam, and Arakawa was 3-4 with a 2-run homer and 4 runs scored.

Team record: 17-22. Next up: 3 at home against a team going even worse than us, 13-26 Miami.

May 13-15, 2030: vs Miami (3)
 

Transaction: Activated 2B Ozzie Albies from his rehab assignment and DFA'd/waived Max Viera, who was claimed by the Angels.

Game 1: 5-3 W. WP-Khattak (6-1, 8 5 3 3 0 4). S-R.Rodriguez (7). Nelson Haro's 2-out, 2-run double in the 8th broke a 3-3 tie to win it as Khattak gave up 3 in the first but nothing over the next 7 to earn the win.

Game 2: 9-2 W. WP-German (4-2, 7 4 1 1 0 11). HR-E.Green (6). A dominant performance from German and a 3-RBI day from Yordan Alvarez led the way for the Rays. Luciano was 3-4 with a double and 2 RBI as well.

Game 3: 2-1 W (12). WP-Acosta (2-1). Starter-Bradley (7 4 1 1 0 7). HR-Arakawa (7). The bats were quiet today but outstanding pitching and a walk-off blast from Arakawa (off a lefty no less) in the 12th gave the Rays a sweep as they found a team that was worse than them.

Team record: 20-22. Next up: An off-day then we head to 24-17 Atlanta for 3 games.

Rays news: Amed Rosario sent me another PM complaining about a lack of PT even though he's started 4 of the last 5 games. He might want to start hitting better than .192 for his gripes to have any validity.

May 17-19, 2030: at Atlanta (3)
 

Game 1: 2-6 L. LP-Eldridge (1-6, 4 7 6 5 2 6). HR-E.Green (7). Back to reality for the Rays playing a good team on the road as they were never in this one.

Game 2: 1-7 L. LP-Evans (2 5 5 5 2 2). Another non-competitive game from Tampa Bay as Atlanta was up 5-0 by the 3rd and never looked back.

Game 3: 4-5 L. LP-R.Rodriguez (1-4). Starter-Khattak (6.1 8 1 1 1 7). HR-Wood (5), Franco (3). All the ingredients were there for a Rays win: a great outing from their best pitcher this season Khattak and a couple of big homers including a 3-run shot by Wood. But someone forgot to tell Randy Rodriguez and he gave up 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th to blow a 4-1 lead and doom the Rays to a series sweep.

Team record: 20-25. Next up: Home for 4 against Toronto.

May 20-23, 2030: vs Toronto (4)
 

Game 1: 5-2 W. WP-E.Alcantara (2-3). S-R.Rodriguez (8). HR-Alvarez 2 (9). Starter-German (2 2 2 2 0 2). Luis German left with a blister, forcing a bullpen game on us which the staff handled well and Yordan Alvarez had a huge game with 2 homers including a 3-run shot which turned the game around in the 3rd.

Game 2: 5-4 W (13). WP-Orze (1-0). Starter-Bradley (7 5 1 1 1 11). HR-Franco (4), Arakawa (8). Rays had a 4-1 lead in this one behind a dominant outing for Taj but the pen blew it the late innings sending us to extras where Caminero's sac fly thankfully won it in the end. Wander, who came into the game with a miserable 205/283/329 slash line and is one of the main reasons for the team's struggles, had a nice night with a double, homer and 2 RBI.

Game 3: 6-5 W. WP-V.Gonzalez (2-0). Starter-Eldridge (5.1 6 3 3 2 4). HR-Wood (6), Franco (5). For the second straight day the pen blew a late lead and for the second straight day the offense picked them up as Wander's walk-off shot in the bottom of the 9th got Victor Gonzalez and Tanner Dodson off the hook as they combined to allow Toronto to tie with a pair in the top of the inning. Amed Rosario's 2-run triple was the big early hit.

Transaction: German went on the IL with his blister which will keep him out a couple of week. Erovis Alcantara will take his spot in the rotation and we purchased the contract of reliever Benjamin Buckman from Durham. Buckman is the first player from our 2028 draft to make the big club as the 5th-rounder was closing at Durham, and that is the curious case of Benjamin Buckman.

Game 4: 3-2 W. WP-Evans (3-3, 6 3 2 2 2 7). S-Riley (3). This is the most schizophrenic team I've had in a save and lately they either sweep or get swept. This time it was the former as a 3-run 3rd was enough to ensure victory with RBI singles from rookie Cade Arrambide and Nelson Haro and a bases-loaded walk to Yordan Alvarez supplying the offense while Donye Evans turned in his best start in a while.

Team record: 24-25. And suddenly we're only 1 game out of the third wild card, which happens to be the Jays we just took 4 from. Next up: 3 games in Kansas City. Will they be swept? Will they sweep? Who knows?

May 24-26, 2030: at Kansas City (3)
 

Game 1: 8-1 W. WP-Khattak (7-1, 8 6 1 1 1 3). HR-Alvarez (10). The Rays made it 9 wins in their last 12 and got back to .500 with a comprehensive win over KC. Khattak has becoming the staff ace while Franco (with a double & triple), Caminero and Alvarez each knocked in a pair.

Game 2: 1-5 L. LP-E.Alcantara (2-4, 6 5 3 3 1 4, 3 HR). HR-Franco (6). Can't seem to get above .500, losing at the latest chance as the offense outside of Wander (who doubled and homered and is breaking out of his season-long slump) was AWOL today.

Game 3: 5-2 W. WP-Bradley (3-2, 5 5 1 0 2 4). S-R.Rodriguez (9). HR-E.Green 2 (9), Franco (7). A 4-run 3rd with the first of Elijah Green's 2 homers and another one from Wander (a 2-run shot) propelled them to victory and back to .500.

Team record: 26-26, 1/2 game back of Toronto for the third wild card. Next up: We get Memorial Day off and then return home for 3 against Seattle.

May 28-30, 2030: vs Seattle (3)
 

Transaction: Junior Caminero goes on the IL with a strained rib cage muscle and should be back when his stint is over. Robby Castillo is recalled from Durham, he of the great hitting ratings but meager results in his career to date.

Game 1: 0-1 L. LP-Eldridge (1-7, 8 3 1 1 0 5). Eldridge pitched his best game of the year but it didn't matter as the bats were silenced.

Game 2: This happened:

https://i.imgur.com/iliK5GH.png

https://i.imgur.com/fE7C4UJ.png

Donye Evans was Donyemating and the Rays pulled off their first no-hitter in season 9 of this save. It was always going to have to be combined as Evans has only 40 stamina and was already pushed past his limits at 93 pitches. And plenty of offense with every Ray getting at least one hit (I wonder how many no-hitters have seen every player on the other team getting a hit).

Game 3: 1-2 L. LP-R.Rodriguez (1-5). Starter-Khattak (7 5 1 1 1 4). Once again faced with an opportunity to move above .500 the Rays (and more specifically their bats) failed. Randy Rodriguez gave up an RBI double to Julio Rodriguez in the 9th to lose it as this team continues to frustrate.

Team record: 27-28, now 1 game behind Toronto for the third wild card. Next up: 35-20 Texas visits for 3 games.

May 31-June 2, 2030: vs Texas (3)
 

Game 1: 2-0 W. WP-Orze (2-0). S-Riley (4). Starter-E.Alcantara (3.1 1 0 0 0 5). Luciano's 2-run double in the 4th held up as the bullpen came through after Alcantara had to leave with a minor tweak in the 4th.

Game 2: 1-2 L (10). LP-R.Rodriguez (1-6). Starter-Bradley (5.1 3 1 1 3 7). HR-Y.Alvarez (11). For the umpteenth time this year the Rays had a chance to go above .500 but couldn't take it despite having several chances to win it late.

Game 3: 9-5 W. WP-Acosta (3-1). Starter-Eldridge (4.2 9 3 3 2 4). HR-Santana (5), Franco (8). Twice the Rays took 2-run leads and twice Rays pitching lost the lead on 2-run homers but a 4-run 8th featuring an Albies RBI single and a 3-run Wander homer gave Tampa Bay the win. Franco had 4 hits and the struggling Albies 3.

Team record: 29-29. Next up: We'll try to get over .500 again in Minnesota, where we'll play 3. The Twins are underwater at 27-31.

June 3-5, 2030: at Minnesota (3)
 

Game 1: 9-4 W. WP-Orze (3-0). Starter-Evans (3 3 3 3 6 3). HR-Albies (3). A 4-run 1st and a 5-run 4th won it for the Rays. Albies' 2-run homer and Angel Rivera's 2-run double were the big hits and the bullpen got the job done in relief of a wild Donye Evans as the Rays finally climbed above .500 for the first time this year after numerous chances.

Game 2: 2-10 L. LP-Khattak (7-2, 5.2 7 5 5 2 5). Believe it or not the Rays held a 2-0 lead in this one going into the 6th, when Khattak gave up 3 runs and left with two more on. Still a close game, but enter the most un-clutch pitcher in the history of this save, 2030 Aldry Acosta, who gave up an RBI double and then a 3-run homer to let it get away.

Game 3: 5-4 W. WP-Dodson (1-0). S-R.Rodriguez (10). Starter-E.Alcantara (4 4 2 2 1 0). It looked like the Rays would blow another one and go back below .500 after squandering a 3-0 lead, but Robby Castillo (who earlier had a 2-run double) lofted a game-tying sac fly in the 7th and Wander's RBI single in the 8th was the winner as the Rays close a series above .500 for the first time this year.

Team record: 31-30, a game behind Seattle for the third wild card. Next up: A day off then back home for 3 vs the 29-33 Rockies.

June 7-9, 2030: vs Colorado (3)
 

Game 1: 5-0 W. WP-Bradley (4-2, 7 3 0 0 1 5). HR-Haro (3), R.Castillo (1). Taj was brilliant again (his last 5 starts: a combined 31.1 16 4 3 7 34 line), and solo homers from Haro and Castillo along with a 2-run Yordan Alvarez single supported him.

Transaction: Junior Caminero comes off the IL and as a reward for his homer last night Robby Castillo is returned to Durham.

Game 2: 3-0 W. WP-German (5-2, 6.2 3 0 0 3 5). S-R.Rodriguez (11). HR-Y.Alvarez (12). More outstanding pitching as German lowers his ERA to 1.99 and Yordan's 2-run homer in the first was all the offense needed.

Game 3: 4-2 W. WP-Evans (5-3, 7.1 3 2 2 0 6). HR-Santana (6). A weekend of superior pitching gave the Rays a sweep and put them a season-high 4 games over .500. Santana's 2-run shot in the 4th broke a 1-1 tie and gave them the win.

Team record: 34-30. Tied with Seattle for the third wild card and we've crept within 4 of Boston for the division lead. Next up: A much tougher opponent as the 41-23 Dodgers visit the Trop for 3 games.

MLB News: Aging Angels superstar Mike Trout (now 38) will miss 6 weeks with a hamstring.

June 10-12, 2030: vs LA Dodgers (3)
 

Game 1: 4-3 W. WP-E.Alcantara (3-4). S-Riley (5). Starter-Eldridge (4.1 2 1 1 2 6). HR-Caminero (7). Caminero's solo homer in the 7th broke a 3-3 tie after Alcantara blew a 3-0 lead for Eldridge, who had to leave with a minor blister injury. Yordan Alvarez had a 2-run double.

Game 2: 9-4 W. WP-Khattak (8-2, 7 2 1 1 2 5). HR-Caminero (8), Y.Alvarez (13). Yordan knocked in 5 with a bases-loaded walk and a 440-ft grand slam to dead center while Wander was 4-4 with an RBI to back a sterling outing from Khattak and make it 6 straight wins for the Rays.

Game 3: 6-10 L. LP-Okuda (0-2). Starter-Bradley (3.1 8 6 5 0 4). HR-Y.Alvarez (14). The pitching let the Rays down with Bradley's awful start. Although the Rays battled back to tie at 6 the bullpen then failed with Okuda, Orze and Victor Gonzalez combining to allow the 4 runs which made the difference. Wander was 3-5 with 2 RBI and Alvarez homered again to cap a great series for both.

Team record: 36-31. Boston swept its series to push the Rays 5 games back in the division, but they are in the second wild card spot. Next up: An off-day then off to Chicago to play 3 against the White Sox.

June 14-16, 2030: at Chicago White Sox (3)
 

Game 1: 0-4 L. LP-German (5-3, 4.2 8 2 2 1 2). Two measly hits is all the offense managed on a dismal night in the Windy City.

Game 2: 7-3 W. WP-Evans (6-3, 5.2 4 1 1 1 5). HR-Haro (4), Arakawa (9). Donye was dominant, Arakawa knocked in 3 with a 2-run HR and sac fly, and Angel Rivera had a big 2-run double to get the Rays back in the win column.

Transaction: Wander Franco goes on the 10-day IL with a dead arm (a 7-day injury) and IF Jose Marsh is called up from Durham to make his MLB debut. Marsh was a 4th-round pick in 2026 who was hitting 299/324/509 with the Bulls with 11 HR and 39 RBI in 61 games. He has a future as a utility infielder.

Game 3: 2-7 L. LP-Eldridge (1-8, 6.1 6 4 4 2 3). HR-Rivera (3). This was a 1-1 game going into the bottom of the 7th when Eldridge gave up a homer, put two more on whom Aldry Acosta (of course) let score and Chicago added 3 more in the 8th off former White Sock Erovis Alcantara.

Team record: 37-33. Status quo in the wild card race as the Rays retained second spot with the teams around them also losing 2 of 3.

MLB News: The career of former Mariner and current Guardian Logan Gilbert is over thanks to a torn rotator cuff.

June 17-20, 2030: at Boston (4)
 

Game 1: 4-2 W. WP-Khattak (9-2, 6.2 7 2 2 3 1). S-R.Rodriguez (13). HR-Albies (4). Rays scored twice in each of the first two innings including Albies' 2-run shot in the 1st and hung on for the win, slicing a game off Boston's division lead.

Game 2: 6-3 W. WP-Bradley (5-2, 5 6 3 2 2 6). S-R.Rodriguez (14). HR-Caminero 2 (10), Marsh (1). Junior Caminero had a big day, going 3-4 with a pair of homers and 4 RBI to lead the attack and Jose Marsh hit his first MLB dinger over the Green Monster to get the Rays within 3 games of Boston.

Transactions: The win was a very costly one for the Rays as Ozzie Albies is hurt once again and will be out 2 weeks with back stiffness, James Wood heads to the IL with back stiffness as well, and setup man Trey Riley suffered an elbow strain and will miss close to a month. Coming up in their stead are Cuban 2B Victor Mesa (who was up briefly earlier this year), OF Hendry Mendez (acquired from the Cubs in 2028 and hitting .318 at Durham) and P Benjamin Buckman, who was also up recently.

Game 3: 15-6 W. WP-German (6-3, 6.2 4 4 4 1 13). HR-Y.Alvarez (14). Rays hitters went to (the) town today, scoring 15 on 18 hits and 6 walks. Yordan was 4-4 with his HR & 3 RBI, Nelson Haro drove in 5 on 3 hits including a pair of doubles and Mitsuyoski Arakawa was 2-3 with 2 walks and 3 RBI. Luis German was dazzling and his final line was marred when the pen allowed 2 of his runners to score in the 7th.

Game 4: 2-3 L. LP-Evans (5-4, 5 4 3 3 2 4). HR-Luciano (8). Tampa Bay couldn't quite pull off the 4-game sweep but still leaves Boston two games better off than they started. They could have used some of the extra offense they got yesterday as they only managed 3 hits but still had their chances to win.

Team record: 40-34. Next up: Home for 3 against the Giants, who are a dreadful 29-45. They remain in the second wild card and one of their director competitors lost a key piece as Toronto's Bo Bichette will be out 4-5 weeks with a torn hamstring.

June 21-23, 2030: vs San Francisco (3)
 

Game 1: 1-6 L. LP-Eldridge (1-9, 4.2 9 5 5 2 6). HR-Luciano (9). Bryce Eldridge's nightmare season continues and the bats slumbered too.

Game 2: 7-3 W. WP-Khattak (10-2, 6 4 3 3 4 2). HR-Haro 2 (6), Caminero (11). Khattak meanwhile is the anti-Eldridge and Nelson Haro had the best game of his young career going 3-4 with 2 HR and 5 RBI to provide ample support.

Game 3: 1-2 L (11). LP-R.Rodriguez (1-7). Starter-Bradley (8 2 1 1 0 6). HR-Y.Alvarez (16). An extremely frustrating finale for the Rays as they couldn't get the big hit, leaving 13 on base and failing to make Giants pitching pay for 9 walks.

Team record: 41-36. Their wild card rivals struggled as well this weekend and the Rays are actually in the first wild card, 1/2 game ahead of Toronto and Texas. They did drop 4 behind first-place Boston. Next up: Arizona visits for 3 games.

https://i.imgur.com/ThbTObK.png

June 24-26, 2030: vs Arizona (3)
 

Game 1: 2-0 W. WP-German (7-3, 7 5 0 0 1 6). S-V.Gonzalez (1). HR-Caminero (12). Caminero's 2-run homer in the 1st stood up thanks in large part to German, who lowered his AL-best ERA to 2.20.

Game 2: 5-4 W. WP-Okuda (1-2). S-R.Rodriguez (15). Starter-Evans (6 4 4 4 3 6). RBI doubles from Mesa, Caminero and Yordan Alvarez in the 7th erased a 4-2 Arizona lead and gave the Rays the win.

Transaction: Wander Franco comes off the IL and Jose Marsh is sent back to Durham.

Game 3: 2-6 L. LP-Eldridge (1-10, 6.1 5 2 1 2 4). It's just not Bryce Eldridge's season - even when he pitches well like tonight he still takes the L as the pen let it get away after he left.

Team record: 43-37. Boston was swept at home by San Diego so the Rays have pulled within 2 of the division lead and hold down the first wild card at the moment. Next up: A day off then off to Chicago for 3 games at Wrigley.

2030 Midseason Review
 

It's been something of a struggle for the Rays this season, but fortunately nobody's run away with things in the division so they remain in striking distance there as well as in the first wild card spot. They overcame a very poor start (8-12) to go a pretty decent 35-25 since and they've had to battle of slew of middle infield injuries. Here's where things stand across MLB at the moment:

https://i.imgur.com/HwzMD1G.png

Nobody's even playing .600 ball in the AL, leaving things open for the Rays should they get going.

https://i.imgur.com/o4UAlAG.png

No question where the strength of this team lies, as an offense collectively hitting 236/307/395 normally would have no business being 6 games over .500. Despite those anemic numbers they're in the middle pack in runs scored, so they've sequenced well and obviously had some luck. The offense is going to have to improve if they want to truly contend though. The rotation has been the best in the league, and the defense has been pretty decent although being 2nd in DE but only 10th in ZR is a pretty wild disparity.

https://i.imgur.com/TSe03qH.png

Yordan Alvarez has carried the offense after a slow start and speaking of slow starts Wander has started hitting after being terrible early as well. But too much of the rest of the squad has been underachieving big-time including Albies (when healthy), Luciano and Santana, who's followed his breakout 45 HR, 109 RBI season with whatever you want to call those numbers at the bottom of the above list.

https://i.imgur.com/5qKfI98.png

A much more pleasing set of numbers to look at, with German and Khattak having breakthrough seasons. Even the terribly unlucky Bryce Eldridge has been good for 0.9 WAR in half a season, not bad considering his 1-10, 5.01 record otherwise. I have a feeling positive regression is in store for him.

https://i.imgur.com/xWXLweQ.png

The farm system still needs improvement (and still doesn't offer much immediate help) but it has gotten better thanks to a pretty good draft last year and a guy who I had no clue about until pulling up this list as he was signed as a scouting discovery 8 days ago. I'm referring to sudden top team prospect and #22 overall guy Jesus Lemus:

https://i.imgur.com/85xFcqI.png

Signed out of Bonaire in the Dutch Antilles, Lemus has off-the-charts potential but of course he's only 16 and he's a pitcher, so it's a long road with many things that go wrong before he sniffs the majors.

June 28-30, 2030: at Chicago Cubs (3)
 

Game 1: 5-1 W. WP-Khattak (11-2, 6.2 9 1 1 0 0). S-R.Rodriguez (16). HR-Franco (9). Khattak pitched an interesting game, neither walking nor striking out a batter while Wander took care of the offense, going 2-3 with a homer, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored. Yordan also knocked in a pair.

Game 2: 4-2 W. WP-Okuda (2-2). S-R.Rodriguez (17). Starter-Bradley (5.2 8 2 2 1 6). HR-Caminero (13). Junior Caminero's 2-run blast in the 8th won it for the Rays while Wander (3 hits) and Yordan (2 more RBI) kept on producing.

Game 3: 8-4 W. WP-Evans (7-4, 5 0 0 0 3 9). S-Acosta (1). HR-Caminero (14). Donye Evans was Donye-mating in his 86-pitch outing and Acosta saved after some shaky relief pitching prior to him, fanning 6 over 2 innings as the Rays completed the sweep. The offense cranked out 7 doubles and Caminero's homer with Victor Mesa and Yordan each hitting 2-run 2-baggers in a 5-run 7th that broke the game open.

Team record: 46-37. We've moved to within a game of Boston for the division lead and are 5 1/2 up in the first wild card. Next up: Back home for 4 against Baltimore.

July 1-4, 2030: vs Baltimore (4)
 

Game 1: 9-0 W. WP-German (8-3, 7 3 0 0 3 8). HR-Haro (7). Luis German lowered his AL-best ERA to 2.03 and Nelson Haro supplied a grand slam to keep the Rays rolling in a rout of Baltimore.

Game 2: 8-2 W. WP-Eldridge (2-10, 6 1 2 0 4 4). HR-Arakawa (10), Franco (10). Bryce Eldridge finally got back in the win column, Arakawa had a big early 3-run homer and Wander knocked in 3 with a homer and a single as the Rays ripped the Orioles again.

Game 3: 12-4 W. WP-Khattak (12-2, 6.2 7 3 3 3 4). HR-Franco (11). Wander drove in 3 and four other Rays plated a pair as the Rays battered Baltimore for the third straight night and moved into a first-place tie with the Red Sox.

Transaction: Ozzie Albies comes off the IL (for good this time we hope) and Victor Mesa, who filled in admirably, goes back to Durham.

Game 4: 5-7 L. LP-Bradley (5-3, 5.2 4 6 6 4 4). HR-E.Green (10), Franco (12). It looked like another Rays romp was in the cards when they went up 4-0 but Bradley lost the plot in the 5th, giving up 4 runs and leaving with 2 on for Erovis Alcantara to come in and give up a 3-run homer to lose it. Wander did homer for the third straight game.

Team record: 49-38. Thanks to the loss in the finale the Rays dropped a game back of Boston for the division lead but are 5 1/2 up in the first wild card. Next up: San Diego comes to town for 3 before we hit the All-Star break.

MLB News: The Angels' Josh Hader recorded his 400th career save.

July 5-7, 2030: vs San Diego (3)
 

Game 1: 8-2 W. WP-Evans (8-4, 6 4 2 2 0 9). S-Buckman (1). HR-Y.Alvarez (17), Rivera (4), Franco (13). Angel Rivera had a big 3-run homer in the 3rd, Wander went deep for the fourth straight game, and Donye Evans was excellent in another Rays romp. And Benjamin Buckman went the final 3 and fanned 5 for his first MLB save.

Game 2: 0-5 L. LP-German (8-4, 4 5 3 2 5 4). Luis German wasn't sharp and neither was the offense as the Rays reverted to early-season form today.

Game 3: 2-3 L (12). LP-Buckman (0-1). Starter-Eldridge (5.1 4 1 1 2 8). An extremely frustrating game for the Rays as they had 21 baserunners (15 hits + 5 walks + 1 HBP) but could only plate two of them, squandering numerous chances to win. James Wood personally left 9 men on base.

Team record: 50-40. The Red Sox swept their series so the Rays have fallen 3 back in the division race but they're still a healthy 5 1/2 up in the first wild card slot. Next up: The All-Star break, after which we play four in Toronto starting Thursday.

All-Star Break 2030
 

The rosters:

Representing the American League:

SP Robert Ahlstrom (TEX)* - 12-4, 2.27 ERA, 130.2 IP, 0.93 WHIP, 11.2 K/9, 4.6 WAR
SP Jake Eder (DET) - 6-3, 2.55 ERA, 74.0 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 11.9 K/9, 1.5 WAR
SP Luis German (TB) - 8-4, 2.14 ERA, 92.2 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 2.0 WAR
SP Edgar Isea (BOS) - 4-2, 2.08 ERA, 69.1 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 11.7 K/9, 1.9 WAR
SP Walt Khattak (TB) - 12-2, 2.38 ERA, 113.2 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 5.8 K/9, 1.9 WAR
SP Chujiro Muraoka (OAK) - 7-4, 3.62 ERA, 92.0 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 1.4 WAR
SP Ryan Weathers (LAA) - 6-1, 2.35 ERA, 107.1 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 5.7 K/9, 1.9 WAR
RP Nathan Ocker (CLE) - 4-2, 2.70 ERA, 56.2 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 0.7 WAR
RP Manuel Rodriguez (TEX) - 1-0, 2.87 ERA, 47.0 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 11.5 K/9, 0.9 WAR
RP Justus Sheffield (SEA) - 1-3, 2.68 ERA, 77.1 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 0.8 WAR
CL Josh Hader (LAA) - 3-3, 18 SV, 2.52 ERA, 35.2 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 14.6 K/9, 1.8 WAR
CL Daysbel Hernandez (CLE)* - 1-1, 25 SV, 1.15 ERA, 31.1 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 11.8 K/9, 1.8 WAR
CL Will Vest (BOS) - 2-2, 26 SV, 2.08 ERA, 39.0 IP, 0.85 WHIP, 14.1 K/9, 1.6 WAR
C Jorge Francois (CLE) - .269/.331/.434, 249 AB, 9 HR, 1 SB, 113 wRC+, 1.4 WAR
C Adley Rutschman (BAL)* - .225/.331/.370, 262 AB, 10 HR, 1 SB, 97 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
C Tyler Stephenson (CWS) - .283/.346/.335, 230 AB, 1 HR, 1 SB, 94 wRC+, 0.8 WAR
1B Nick Castellanos (NYY) - .277/.344/.480, 321 AB, 16 HR, 126 wRC+, 1.4 WAR
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)* - .343/.426/.685, 327 AB, 32 HR, 2 SB, 206 wRC+, 5.3 WAR
1B Jacob Krieg (KC) - .273/.371/.569, 311 AB, 22 HR, 158 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
1B Austin Wells (BOS) - .264/.364/.554, 280 AB, 19 HR, 1 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
1B Justin Williams (HOU) - .268/.338/.530, 298 AB, 24 HR, 139 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
2B Bo Bichette (TOR)* - .253/.308/.495, 194 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 119 wRC+, 1.5 WAR (Injured)
2B Eric Brown (KC) - .315/.410/.409, 149 AB, 3 HR, 4 SB, 137 wRC+, 1.1 WAR
3B Triston Casas (BAL) - .258/.335/.631, 325 AB, 36 HR, 1 SB, 160 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
3B Justin Sill (CWS) - .275/.340/.588, 240 AB, 21 HR, 1 SB, 153 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
3B Wilfred Veras (CWS)* - .275/.362/.500, 324 AB, 20 HR, 2 SB, 138 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
SS Carlos Correa (HOU)* - .263/.357/.484, 312 AB, 17 HR, 3 SB, 135 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
SS Wander Franco (TB) - .304/.364/.529, 289 AB, 13 HR, 10 SB, 146 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
SS Geraldo Perdomo (MIN) - .267/.361/.350, 311 AB, 3 HR, 7 SB, 103 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
LF Yordan Alvarez (TB) - .288/.359/.524, 319 AB, 17 HR, 145 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
LF Junior Perez (OAK) - .246/.341/.551, 285 AB, 20 HR, 1 SB, 145 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
CF Julio Rodriguez (SEA)* - .292/.362/.490, 288 AB, 13 HR, 14 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
RF Jose Dominguez (CLE)* - .314/.358/.674, 328 AB, 29 HR, 4 SB, 183 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
RF Juan Soto (CLE)* - .311/.477/.607, 244 AB, 18 HR, 5 SB, 200 wRC+, 4.8 WAR
RF Kyle Tucker (HOU)* - .346/.421/.636, 324 AB, 23 HR, 9 SB, 192 wRC+, 5.2 WAR

Participating for the National League:

SP Nehemiah Bell (ATL) - 7-6, 2.57 ERA, 105.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 3.2 WAR
SP Parker Detmers (WSH) - 12-4, 2.78 ERA, 123.0 IP, 0.99 WHIP, 12.1 K/9, 3.0 WAR
SP Jackson Jobe (STL) - 4-4, 2.18 ERA, 99.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 2.6 WAR
SP Daniel Lynch (MIL) - 4-1, 2.95 ERA, 76.1 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 1.2 WAR
SP Brailyn Marquez (PHI)* - 9-5, 3.92 ERA, 114.2 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 13.5 K/9, 2.7 WAR
SP Luis Patiño (LAD) - 6-4, 4.97 ERA, 79.2 IP, 1.64 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 0.6 WAR
SP Freddy Peralta (SF) - 6-2, 2.14 ERA, 88.1 IP, 0.96 WHIP, 10.3 K/9, 2.5 WAR
SP Trevor Rogers (LAD) - 6-2, 3.78 ERA, 102.1 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 10.2 K/9, 2.5 WAR
RP Kevin Ginkel (PHI) - 3-1, 3.64 ERA, 29.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, 0.4 WAR
RP Jose Quijada (LAD) - 5-1, 2.08 ERA, 47.2 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 11.9 K/9, 0.7 WAR
RP Willie Seanez (ATL) - 9-3, 2.50 ERA, 104.1 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 1.9 WAR
RP Jake Walsh (NYM) - 1-2, 2.29 ERA, 51.0 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 7.9 K/9, 0.5 WAR
CL Emmanuel Clase (LAD)* - 3-1, 26 SV, 2.11 ERA, 38.1 IP, 0.57 WHIP, 12.0 K/9, 1.2 WAR
CL Billy Sullivan (STL) - 1-1, 20 SV, 1.07 ERA, 33.2 IP, 0.62 WHIP, 17.6 K/9, 2.7 WAR
C Francisco Alvarez (NYM)* - .272/.342/.511, 268 AB, 17 HR, 141 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
C Luis Campusano (ARI) - .279/.361/.477, 222 AB, 7 HR, 132 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
C Keibert Ruiz (WSH) - .266/.329/.397, 229 AB, 5 HR, 97 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
1B Oneil Cruz (SA) - .298/.369/.538, 329 AB, 20 HR, 9 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
1B Nate McCollum (MIA)* - .321/.404/.679, 246 AB, 24 HR, 199 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
1B Stephon McNeil (CHC)* - .277/.356/.545, 332 AB, 25 HR, 148 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
1B Austin Riley (ATL)* - .263/.332/.463, 190 AB, 9 HR, 4 SB, 120 wRC+, 1.1 WAR (Injured)
2B Nolan Gorman (ARI)* - .269/.332/.517, 327 AB, 19 HR, 1 SB, 131 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
3B Alex Bregman (PHI) - .263/.353/.527, 300 AB, 22 HR, 142 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
3B Luis Garcia (WSH) - .318/.366/.516, 337 AB, 12 HR, 8 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
3B Yunior Severino (COL) - .292/.364/.529, 325 AB, 18 HR, 3 SB, 138 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
3B Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD)* - .258/.366/.575, 240 AB, 20 HR, 6 SB, 159 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
SS Eric Bitonti (PHI) - .268/.325/.502, 325 AB, 20 HR, 126 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
SS Jacob Gonzalez (ARI)* - .284/.325/.477, 342 AB, 17 HR, 8 SB, 116 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
SS Adalberto Mondesi (LAD) - .248/.327/.479, 290 AB, 16 HR, 21 SB, 121 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
LF Nick Madrigal (ARI) - .339/.390/.503, 298 AB, 5 HR, 6 SB, 147 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
LF Spencer Torkelson (WSH)* - .318/.395/.591, 274 AB, 18 HR, 1 SB, 169 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
CF Dylan Carlson (STL)* - .314/.391/.531, 322 AB, 15 HR, 12 SB, 159 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
RF Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL) - .291/.393/.498, 309 AB, 17 HR, 16 SB, 151 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
RF Jose Quinteros (ARI) - .296/.354/.535, 314 AB, 14 HR, 25 SB, 140 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
RF Aaron Sweeney (CIN) - .296/.337/.463, 311 AB, 9 HR, 11 SB, 120 wRC+, 2.2 WAR

The third appearance for Rays hurler German (his first as a starter), the first for Khattak, the ninth for Wander, and the fourth for Yordan (and of course his first as a Ray).

The HR Derby (with no Rays):

https://i.imgur.com/G4YAc8r.png


The game:

https://i.imgur.com/w9eNBpe.png

One of the more entertaining ASGs of late, replete with several lead changes including a 9th-inning NL rally to win it. The Rays representatives acquitted themselves well with Khattak starting and pitching a scoreless inning and Wander, who was on a HR binge before the break, hitting a 2-run shot. Yordan was 0-3 and Luis German didn't pitch.

The 2030 Amateur Draft
 

We had a pair of supplemental picks thanks to the free agent losses of Zach DeLoach (struggling with San Antonio at 245/312/353 with 0.4 WAR) and John Swanda (struggling with Detroit at 5-8, 5.19), giving us 3 of the top 39 in the draft and I think we made out pretty well. Of course everybody looks good with 4 and 5-star potential on draft day.

https://i.imgur.com/NaCsQVN.png

Lennon:

https://i.imgur.com/UrNbXq6.png

Nicknamed "Hangover", Lennon is a potential ace starter out of college who will hopefully move quickly through the system with the promise of being elite in stuff, movement and control.

Ceja:

https://i.imgur.com/WtXyVTk.png

A high-school with some loud tools, especially hit and power.

Deckard:

https://i.imgur.com/NWb70eo.png

Deckard (whom I gave the nickname "Blade Runner" to) is an extremely well-rounded college OF that could be helping the big club within a couple of years if things go right. He has a broad array of hitting skills, can run, is durable and is a fine defensive OF. The only things that could hold him back are a propensity to strike out, and his personality as seen above.

Simpson:

https://i.imgur.com/Bz7z6RY.png

High-schooler with an intriguing profile, potentially an excellent all-around hitter with superior bat-to-ball skills, and can play a decent OF.

Alvarez:

https://i.imgur.com/NIILMfT.png

Another high-schooler with some serious hitting tools, listed as a SS but probably ends up in 2B or LF. If the bat pans out, position won't matter.

Montes de Oca:

https://i.imgur.com/LiVBEJT.png

A high-school 1B, he's the ultimate one-dimensional player, but what a dimension as he boasts potential light-tower power.

Maximos:

https://i.imgur.com/R4QAGG4.png

A great name - hopefully he'll be able to Maximos his potential, especially the control which will need to be at or very close to 45 to be a useful starter. Could also see him becoming a power reliever.

July 11-14, 2030: at Toronto (4)
 

Game 1: 6-5 W. WP-Okuda (3-2). S-R.Rodriguez (18). Starter-Bradley (6 7 5 4 1 6). HR-Y.Alvarez (18), Arakawa (11). Dramatic win for the Rays as Ozzie Albies doubled with two out in the 9th to tie it and Wander singled him home to win it. That Albies double was his 2nd of the game and 3rd hit of the day.

Game 2: 7-0 W. WP-Evans (9-4, 5.1 4 0 0 2 6). HR-Wood (8). Donye Evans and three relievers combined on the shutout and James Wood homered in drove in a pair as the Rays pulled within 1 of Boston for the division lead.

Game 3: 1-2 L. LP-Acosta (3-2). Starter-German (6 3 1 1 2 5). HR-Y.Alvarez (19). A tight pitchers' duel which saw each team limited to 4 hits ended in the Jays' favor when Wander committed two errors in the 9th, one to put the leadoff man on and a second to let him score the winner with two out.

Game 4: 1-5 L. LP-Eldridge (2-11, 6 7 4 4 2 3). HR-Wood (9). A series that started promising ended with a thud and in a split after the Rays were not competitive in this one.

Team record: 52-42. Now 2 back of Boston in the division and still 5 1/2 up in the first wild card. Next up: our first-ever trip to San Antonio to play the Sailfish, the franchise once known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, who feature our CF from the previous several years, Zach DeLoach.

MLB News: A couple of relatively young but veteran superstars hit their 400th career homers over the weekend: Cleveland's Juan Soto and San Diego's Fernando Tatis Jr.

July 15-17, 2030: at San Antonio (3)
 

Game 1: 2-5 L. LP-Khattak (12-3, 5 9 5 5 1 0). A stinker for both Khattak who allowed 2 homers and for the offense, which was limited to just two hits both of which were Wander RBI doubles.

Game 2: 5-1 W. WP-Bradley (6-3, 7 2 1 1 2 4). HR-Franco (14). Taj was terrific and Wander stayed on his heater with a 2-run triple and solo homer. He's now hit in 16 straight games.

Game 3: 0-3 L. LP-Evans (9-5, 5.1 7 2 1 1 5). Another anemic performance from the offense which was limited to four hits. One of them came from Wander to extend his hit streak to 17.

Team record: 53-44. The losses dropped the Rays 4 back of Boston in the division and reduced their lead as the first wild card to 4 1/2. Next up: An off-day then back home for 3 against Baltimore.

MLB News: The Dodgers' Joey Gallo hit career homer #500.

July 19-21, 2030: vs Baltimore (3)
 

Transaction: Angel Rivera had a meltdown during the final game against San Antonio, bumping an ump and getting a 4-game suspension so he goes on the restricted list and C Easton Carmichael is recalled from Durham. Carmichael was our 1st-round pick in 2025 and should fashion a career as a backup/job share catcher, hitting .285-.290 over parts of the last 3 years at Durham.

Game 1: 8-3 W. WP-German (9-4, 5 4 2 2 3 8). HR-Luciano (10), Haro (8). Marco Luciano, still below the Mendoza Line, had a big night tonight hitting a 2-run single cap a 4-run 1st and a solo homer to lead the Rays to victory. Haro was also 3-5 with 2 doubles, a solo homer and 2 RBI.

Game 2: 3-2 W (10). WP-R.Rodriguez (2-7). Starter-Eldridge (6 4 2 2 2 6). Rookie Cade Arrambide's sac fly tied it in the 9th and Luciano delivered a walk-off single to win it in the 10th, scoring Wander who needed the extra frame to extend his hit streak to 19.

Game 3: 5-3 W. WP-V.Gonzalez (3-0). S-R.Rodriguez (19). Starter-Bradley (5 4 3 3 2 6). HR-Arakawa (12), Arrambide (1), Albies (5). Arakawa's 2-run shot in the 6th tied it at 3 and then Arrambide's first MLB homer in the 7th was the winner, with Albies adding one later in the inning for insurance. Wander's hit streak was snapped at 19; getting hit by pitches the first two times up didn't help.

Team record: 56-44. Boston dropped 2 of 3 to the Yankees so the Rays have sliced their division lead to 2 games. Next up: 3 at the Trop against the team with the best record in the AL, the 62-39 Astros.

July 22-24, 2030: vs Houston (3)
 

Game 1: 5-7 L (11). LP-Sears (0-3). Starter-Khattak (5.1 7 2 2 2 6). HR-Luciano (11), Franco (15). A tough one to swallow as the Rays held a 5-2 lead after 6 only to see Okuda give up 3 in the 7th and Sears two more in the 11th. Luciano's homer was a slam.

Game 2: 3-4 L (12). LP-Sears (0-4). Starter-Evans (4.1 4 2 2 3 6). Another rough loss as once again JP Sears couldn't get it done (we had to go with him in the 12th). Wander was 3-5 with 2 RBI in the loss.

Annoyed by these two losses and with the trade deadline approaching I swung a trio of deals to shake things up and provide more pop for the mediocre offense.

https://i.imgur.com/x8b2OQz.jpg

Finally had it with Santana, who was hitting 179/245/287 with 7 HR after belting 45 last year. He showed no signs of breaking out and probably would have been a non-tender or trade in the offseason with a projected $6M salary, so why not deal him now? And in exchange we got another powerful-but-struggling OF but one who's a rookie making the minimum and has some real promise. Hardy was hitting 197/336/402 with the Phillies but is rated 55 contact/60 power/55 eye as well as 65 defense in the corners. He'll platoon with James Wood for now but could take the full-time job if he hits and Wood doesn't get his act together.

https://i.imgur.com/L3Lwwnp.jpg

The O's were shopping free-agent-to-be Casas and any time you have a chance to add a guy who's already hit 37 HR and 91 RBI you don't pass it up. Even if it means playing him at 3B where he isn't great and even if it means benching your 3B of the last few years whom you signed to a 3-year extension in Marco Luciano. Of course Luciano hitting 192/246/321 (and that's after picking it up of late) made the call a lot easier. Lopez is a B-/C+ prospect who's probably destined for the bullpen, so no big loss there. Casas will likely play every day with Luciano spelling him against some tough lefties, otherwise Luciano will become our utility infielder.

And in the third deal - which doesn't warrant a screenshot - our incumbent utility infielder Amed Rosario (who had complained about his lack of PT, good riddance as he was hitting 185/250/242) was shipped to Arizona for a 19-year-old pitcher named Matt Ware who could be a bullpen piece in the future, making room for Casas.

Game 3: 6-5 W. WP-R.Rodriguez (3-7). Starter-German (5.2 6 2 2 2 9). HR-Hardy 2 (2). What looked like another crushing loss (blowing a 4-1 lead as Houston got a 2-run single with two out in the 9th to go up 5-4) turned into an exhilarating win when the Rays rallied for a pair in the bottom of the 9th, scoring the winner on a walk-off walk to Junior Caminero. And talk about paying immediate dividends - Alistair Hardy homered in his first two at-bats as a Ray, driving in 3 runs. The newcomer with the British-sounding name became an instant fan favorite and was more productive than Natanael Santana has been in ages.

Team record: 57-46, still 3 behind Boston. Next up: An off-day then we're off to Seattle to play 3 against the 52-51 Mariners.

July 26-28, 2030: at Seattle (3)
 

Game 1: 9-2 W. WP-Eldridge (3-11, 5.1 5 0 0 2 4). HR-Haro (9), Y.Alvarez 2 (21), Caminero (15). Rays rolled behind 4 homers; Haro was 3-4 with his longball and 2 RBI.

Game 2: 13-5 W. WP-Bradley (7-3, 6 4 2 2 4 2). HR-Casas (1/38), Caminero (16), Rivera (5), Haro (10). Triston Casas had his first big game as a Ray, going 4-5 with a homer and 2 RBI, while Rivera and Haro each had two hits and knocked in three.

Game 3: 0-3 L. LP-Khattak (12-4, 6 4 3 3 2 2). After scoring 22 over the previous two games the Rays were no-hit for 7 2/3 by Seattle's Wyatt Hudepohl, with Caminero's single to break it up their only hit of the night.

Team record: 59-47. They stay 3 games behind Boston and 5 up in the wild card as they seemingly have just about all month. Next up: An off-day for a cross-country plane ride to Baltimore for 3 against the Orioles.

July 30-August 1, 2030: at Baltimore (3)
 

Game 1: 5-8 L. LP-Orze (3-1). Starter-Evans (3.2 4 2 0 0 5). HR-E.Green (11), Rivera (6). Rays had a 3-2 lead in the 5th with Evans having to leave early with a mild hamstring strain which may keep him from his next start before Orze came in and stunk up the joint going 1 inning and allowing 4 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks.

Time for a trade at the deadline:

https://i.imgur.com/tlIZbJf.png

We've been in need of pitching depth, especially in the pen, and Ogando should really help with his 80 stuff, 60 movement and 50 control. He had 59 whiffs in 39 IP with the Cubs and a 3.69 ERA. Monrreal had at one point been one of our better pitching prospects but the bloom has come off recently. He still could be a 60/45/45-rated back-end of the rotation starter. To make room for Ogando we finally pulled the plug on Eric Orze, who has been terrible this season and was a free agent at year's end anyway, putting him on waivers.

Game 2: 4-6 L. LP-Riley (0-1). Starter-German (4.2 2 2 2 4 5). HR-Y.Alvarez (22), Rivera (7). For the second straight day a starter left early due to injury (German had a minor blister) and for the second straight day a reliever lost the lead by melting down in the middle innings. This time it was Trey Riley, charged with 4 runs in 2/3 of an IP although the two deciding runs charged to him came when new pickup Gerald Ogando gave up a 2-run single to the first man he faced as a Ray.

Game 3: 4-6 L (10). LP-R.Rodriguez (3-8). Starter-Eldridge (5.2 6 3 3 3 9). HR-Wood (10). An extremely frustrating series saw the Rays lose another lead in the middle innings, although this time they fought back and tied it in the 9th on James Wood's pinch-hit homer. That only delayed the pain though as Randy Rodriguez surrendered a 2-run walk-off shot in the 10th.

Team record: 59-50. The good news is that Boston was also swept so the Rays didn't lose any ground in the division and still trail by 3. The bad news is that it was Toronto who did the sweeping and they've pulled within 1 1/2 games of the Rays for the first wild card. Next up: We return home for the weekend to play 3 against the 65-44 Mets.

August 2-4, 2030: vs NY Mets (3)
 

Game 1: 4-3 W (10). WP-Riley (1-1). Starter-Bradley (7 3 3 3 2 5). HR-Haro (11), Casas (2/39). Taj took a no-hitter in a 0-0 game into 7th before losing it and giving up a 3-run Pete Alonso blast, but Haro hit a 3-run shot of his own in the bottom of the inning and Casas walked it off with his biggest hit since joining the Rays.

Game 2: 2-1 W. WP-Khattak (12-4, 6.2 3 1 1 2 8). S-R.Rodriguez (20). HR-Casas (3/40). Like Taj yesterday, Khattak took a no-hitter into the 7th, lost it there and gave up an RBI single to Pete Alonso. But that was it for the Mets and Casas' solo shot and Yordan's RBI double held up as the Rays beat a very good Mets team once again.

Game 3: 12-6 W. WP-Evans (10-5, 5 1 0 0 2 11). HR-Arakawa (13). The Rays routed the Mets to complete the sweep thanks to another dominant Donye Evans outing and lots of offense, including another huge game from Casas (3-4, double, triple, 4 RBI) and 3 RBI from Caminero. It was 12-0 going into the 9th before the hapless JP Sears gave up 5 runs and Gerald Ogando had a rough time before getting the final out.

Team record: 62-50. The sweep enabled the Rays to pull within one of Boston, as close as they've been all year. Next up: Detroit visits for 3 games.

August 5-7, 2030: vs Detroit (3)
 

Game 1: 4-7 L (10). LP-Acosta (3-3). Starter-German (4.1 7 4 3 3 6). HR-Caminero (17). Caminero's huge game (4-5, double, game-tying homer in the 8th, 2 RBI) was for naught as the incredibly unclutch Acosta gave up 3 in the 10th.

Game 2: 1-4 L. LP-Eldridge (5-12, 5.1 8 4 4 4 5). Eldridge was lousy and so were the bats as they managed only two hits.

Game 3: 3-8 L. LP-Bradley (7-4, 4.1 5 4 4 6 3). HR-Hardy (3/9). Taj couldn't find the plate and the bullpen gave up 4 more as the Rays have now been swept, swept, and been swept again in the last three series.

Team record: 62-53. Fortunately the Red Sox lost 2 of 3 so the Rays only fell one more game back of Boston at two behind. Next up: An off-day then 64-52 Cleveland, first in the AL Central, visits.

Rays news: Eric Orze cleared waivers but refused an assignment to Durham so he was released.

August 9-11, 2030: vs Cleveland (3)
 

Game 1: 0-1 L. LP-Khattak (13-5, 5.1 3 1 1 2 7). Three hits were all the limp noodle bats could manage, wasting a great effort from the staff which held Cleveland to four hits.

Game 2: 5-2 W. WP-German (10-4, 6 4 2 2 1 9). S-R.Rodriguez (21). HR-Y.Alvarez (23). The pitching was excellent again and this time they got some support, mostly from Alvarez who was 3-4 with a 3-run homer.

Game 3: 3-4 L. LP-Ogando (0-1). Starter-Evans (5 0 0 0 2 6). HR-Casas (4/41). Just a brutal loss as Rays pitching took a combined no-hitter and a 3-0 lead into the 9th inning. Okuda gave up two straight singles to start the frame and then deadline pickup Ogando hit the first two he faced to force in a run, walked one to force in another and then gave up a 2-run single to lose it.

Team record: 63-55. Despite dropping two more games the Rays actually gained ground on Boston, which was swept at Fenway by the Dodgers, moving to within a game of the division lead. The wild-card lead is down to 3 games though. Next up: A day off then the Yankees visit the Trop for 3.

August 13-15, 2030: vs NY Yankees (3)
 

Game 1: 11-3 W. WP-Bradley (8-4, 6.2 6 3 3 0 5). HR-Casas (5/42), Albies (6), Y.Alvarez (24). A 7-run 6th broke open a 2-2 game, featuring a 2-run double from Casas and a 3-run homer by Albies. Casas earlier had a 2-run homer to give him a 4-RBI day.

Game 2: 9-5 W. WP-Dodson (2-0). Starter-Eldridge (4 5 5 4 1 4). HR-Wood (11), Arakawa (14), Albies (7), Caminero (18). A 3-homer, 4-run 3rd gave the Rays a 6-0 lead but Eldridge gave 5 runs right back in the 4th before Caminero restored some breathing room with a 3-run shot.

Game 3: 3-5 L (12). LP-Riley (1-2). Starter-Khattak (5.2 7 2 2 2 6). Rays couldn't hold a 3-2 lead in the 8th and paid for it in extras. Nelson Haro had 3 doubles and an RBI but frustratingly the third of those came in the bottom of the 9th with 2 out and Wood on 1st but Wood couldn't score on the play.

Team record: 65-56. Finally! We're tied for first as slumping Boston lost 2 of 3. At this rate the AL East champ might not win 90 games. Next up: Off to Toronto for 3.