April 29-May 1, 2033: vs Chicago White Sox (3)
 

Game 1: 7-8 L (12). LP-Watters (0-1). Starter-Khattak (5 8 4 4 2 5). HR-Bell (1). A tough one as the Rays fought back from 5-1 to tie it up on Hardy's 2-run double in the 8th. Watters and Stevenson then combined to give up 3 runs in the 12th before they nearly tied it again in the bottom of the inning but fell just short. Mesa was 4-6 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI and Evan Bell hit his first MLB homer.

Game 2: 0-4 L (14). LP-Little (1-1). Starter-Stone (8 2 0 0 3 6). Stone followed up his no-hitter with another dominating outing but the bats could do nothing for him or anyone who followed before things gave way in the 14th when Little allowed 4 runs and they suffered their second straight marathon loss.

Game 3: 5-2 W. WP-Acosta (2-1, 5.2 6 2 2 1 5). S-R.Rodriguez (9). HR-Mesa (3), Arrambide (1), Y.Alvarez (7). Yordan had a big game with an RBI single and a 2-run homer, leading the Rays to salvage a win in the finale.

Team record: 16-9. The Yankees won 2 of 3 so we've dropped 2 1/2 back as they're 19-7. Next up: 9-16 Oakland comes to town for 3 games.

May 2-4, 2033: vs Oakland (3)
 

Game 1: 1-3 L. LP-Lennon (1-1, 4.1 7 3 3 1 5). Lennon had a mixed-bag start and the bats only managed 3 hits in a dull night at the Trop.

Game 2: 5-1 W. WP-Stevenson (1-0). Starter-Oviedo (0.1 0 0 0 0 1). Rays scored all 5 runs in the 1st with C.Williams' bases-clearing double the big blow. Oviedo left after one batter with back spasms so Stevenson came on and went 4.2 3 1 1 0 3 in an impressive long relief outing for the win.

Game 3: 7-1 W. WP-Khattak (4-0, 9 2 1 1 1 6). HR-Y.Alvarez (8). Khattak was absolutely brilliant in pitching a complete-game 2-hitter and Yordan supplied the necessary offense with an RBI single and 2-run homer for the first three runs.

Team record: 18-10. Great news as the Yankees lost three heartbreakers in Seattle, two in extra innings and the third when Deivi Garcia took a no-hitter into the 9th up 2-0, walked two guys, and then lost the no-no and the game by giving up a 3-run homer and as a result the Rays are now only 1/2 game back. Next up: Unfortunately after an off-day the Rays have to travel to play 3 against those same Mariners in the Emerald City.

May 6-8, 2033: at Seattle (3)
 

Game 1: 5-4 W. WP-Buckman (1-1). S-R.Rodriguez (10). Starter-Stone (2.2 0 1 0 1 3). HR-A.Thomas (4), Hardy (6), Y.Alvarez (9). Thomas was everywhere tonight, going 2-4 with 3 runs scored, 2 steals and a solo homer to lead off the game. Stone had to leave with minor back tightness so Buckman got his first relief win of the year after recording 15 of them last year.

Game 2: 2-5 L. LP-Little (1-2). Starter-Acosta (0.2 3 2 2 0 1). Rays lost another starter early as Acosta left with a blister. Stevenson pitched well in long relief and left a 2-2 game for Little after 5 innings only to see the lefty allow 3 to lose it. A.Thomas had another nice game, 3-5 with a ribbie.

Game 3: 0-5 L. LP-Lennon (1-2, 4.2 8 4 4 1 3). Lennon gave up 4 runs in the 1st so it was always going to be tough, but the bats left an astounding 13 runners on base with Solano the biggest culprit, going 0-5 with 8 left on personally.

Team record: 19-12. The Yankees won 2 of 3 so we're 1 1/2 behind now in the division but still in the 1st wild card slot. Next up: We head cross-country to play 2 in Atlanta.

May 9-10, 2033: at Atlanta (2)
 

Game 1: 4-6 L. LP-Khattak (4-1, 5 7 5 5 0 5). HR-Bell (2). Khattak had his first rough outing of the season, giving up a couple of homers, and a couple of comeback attempts fell short although the rookie Bell and Solano each had 3 hits.

Game 2: 2-1 W (10). WP-Vargas (2-0). Starter-Oviedo (6 0 0 0 3 6). HR-Bell 2 (4). Thought I'd be posting the full box of this remarkable game as despite being dominated by Atlanta's Edwin Barreto to the tune of 8 3 1 1 0 16, the Rays held a 1-0 on Bell's first homer in the 8th and took a combined no-hitter into the bottom of the 9th. Alas with one out Randy Rodriguez gave up a single, then proceeded to walk three men to force in the tying run. "No problem" said Bell and the rookie hit his second of the game and third in two nights to win it in the 10th. Rays batters struck out 20 times in total but they still got the victory.

Team record: 20-13. The Yankees won both their games so the Rays fall 2 1/2 back. Next up: 2 more games with Atlanta but they're at the Trop.

May 11-12, 2033: vs Atlanta (2)
 

Game 1: 3-6 L. LP-Vargas (2-1). Starter-Stone (5.2 5 2 2 1 8). Rays took a 3-2 lead into the 7th before Vargas put a couple on and the hapless Max Green gave up a 3-run homer to let Atlanta go ahead for good. Green was supposed to be a key addition to the pen but has been terrible with 4 homers allowed in 8 IP including one in each of his last 3 appearances.

Game 2: 4-6 L. LP-Acosta (2-2, 2.1 1 1 1 0 2). HR-Rutschman (9), Tovar (2). The Rays dropped their 2-game set to Atlanta in an injury-riddled game. First Acosta had to leave with back spasms in the 3rd and he took a hard-luck loss because he left with one man on only for Stevenson to take over and get hammered, giving up 5 runs. Acosta will be fine for his next start but the same can't be said for Yordan, who fractured a finger and will miss a month, leaving a gaping hole in the lineup.

Team record: 20-15. The Yankees keep rolling and are now 25-11 and 4 1/2 up on the Rays, who at least still hold the first wild card. Next up: More interleague action at the Trop as Washington visits for 3 but they're even hotter than the Yanks at 26-10, the best record in MLB.

May 13-15, 2033: vs Washington (3)
 

Transaction: Yordan Alvarez suffered a fractured finger in the last game and will miss about 5 weeks. It's a tough blow for the offense with Javy Jasso the primary DH in his place. Coming up to take his roster spot is 2030 1st-round pick OF Kyle Deckard, who was hitting 333/374/496 at Durham. He's rated 50/45 contact/power with potential for 5 more, but is a 65 gap hitter and has a 60 eye to go with well-above average corner D and can play a passable CF. A righty, he'll mostly play against lefties.

Game 1: 10-5 W. WP-Lennon (2-2, 6 9 4 4 4 6). The offense came to play as they scored 10 runs on 14 hits and only one of those hits was for extra bases, a Hardy double. C.Williams was 3-5 with 4 RBI, Rutschman was 3-4 with 2 RBI and Deckard's first MLB hit was a 2-run single.

Game 2: 2-7 L. LP-Khattak (4-2, 5 6 3 3 2 4). HR-A.Thomas (5). The bats didn't do much and the bullpen let a close game get away.

Game 3: 4-1 W. WP-Buckman (2-1). S-R.Rodriguez (11). Starter-Oviedo (4.2 3 1 1 3 8). HR-Rutschman (10), Mesa (4). Mesa's 2-run homer in the 5th broke a 1-1 tie and the Rays got great pitching including a dominant but short outing from Oviedo.

Team record: 22-16. They managed to gain a game on the Yankees and moved within 3 1/2 of the division lead while remaining the first wild card. Next up: The Marlins visit the Trop for 3 games.

May 16-18, 2033: vs Miami (3)
 

Game 1: 8-7 W. WP-R.Rodriguez (2-0). Starter-Stone (5 5 4 4 2 7). HR-Hardy 2 (8), C.Williams (5). A wild one that saw the Rays take an early 4-0 lead, fall behind 7-5, tie it on Williams' 2-run homer in the 6th and then walk it off on a Jasso RBI double in the bottom of the 9th. Hardy had 2 HR and 4 RBI to give them the early lead.

Game 2: 0-6 L. LP-Acosta (2-3, 4.1 7 5 5 0 6, 2 HR). A stinker of a game that saw Acosta hit hard. The offense had many chances to score but failed to take any of them.

Game 3: 4-5 L. LP-Ogando (1-2). Starter-Lennon (6 3 1 1 3 10). HR-Bell (5), Hardy (9). The bullpen reared its ugly head again as outside of R-Rod it's been kind of awful this year and today it wasted the best start of Lennon's young career by far as he left with a 4-1 lead after 6. Watters (8.62 ERA) gave up the three tying runs in the 7th and Ogando gave up the winner in the 8th.

Team record: 23-18, now 4 1/2 back of the Yankees but still WC1 by 2 1/2. Next up: An off-day then we travel to New York to play 3 against the Mets, who are a very good 26-16.

May 20-22, 2033: at NY Mets (3)
 

Game 1: 0-6 L. LP-Khattak (4-3, 6 9 5 5 0 3). Khattak was hit for five runs before recording an out. He settled down from there but the damage was done and the bats didn't do anything anyway.

Game 2: 6-0 W. WP-Oviedo (4-1, 5.1 4 0 0 1 4). S-Ogando (1). HR-Mesa 2 (6). Oviedo and two relievers combined on a 5-hit shutout and Mesa drove in 3 with his pair of homers. Rutschman was also 2-4 with 2 RBI as the Rays flipped the score from yesterday.

Transaction: SS Isaac Cedillos goes on the IL with back spasms which shouldn't keep him out more than minimum. To replace him up welcome back Gunnar Henderson, who played for the Rays in an injury-marred 2031 (74 games) before going to Seattle where he hit 23 HR last year but only hit .203. As a result he had to settle for a MiLB contract with us and was 245/319/594 with 12 HR in 29 games at Durham.

Game 3: 0-7 L. LP-Stone (2-3, 5.2 7 3 3 2 6). A series of shutouts went the Mets' way as they blanked the Rays for second time in three games, this time on only four hits. Henderson was 0-3 with 3 strikeouts in his return to the Rays.

Team record: 24-20. We're now 5 1/2 back of the Yankees in the East but still up 2 1/2 in the first wild card as only three teams in the AL have a winning record (Detroit leads the Central at 22-22).

May 23-26, 2033: at Toronto (4)
 

Game 1: 3-2 W. WP-Vargas (3-1). S-R.Rodriguez (12). Starter-Acosta (2 0 0 0 1 3). HR-Jasso (3), Hardy (10). Rays trailed 2-0 going into the 7th when Jasso and Hardy went deep back-to-back to tie it, and backup catcher Arrambide delivered an RBI double in the 8th to win it. Acosta had to leave with a herniated disc in his back and will miss about a month.

Transaction: Acosta goes on the IL and we've summoned Danny Fragoso from Durham to take his place in the rotation. The 22-year-old Cuban lefty was signed as an IFA in the offseason and was an excellent 4-0, 2.33 with the Bulls with 34 Ks in 46 IP so he's not overpowering but hopefully can give us some passable innings.

Game 2: 12-6 W. WP-Lennon (3-2, 5.1 4 2 2 3 6). HR-Mesa (7), Hardy (11). Rays took a 5-0 lead in this one only to see Toronto pull within 5-4 before Mesa's grand slam in the 8th put it away. Mesa added a sac fly to give him a 5-RBI day and the rookie Lennon was very good today.

Game 3: 6-4 W. WP-L.Gonzalez (2-0). S-R.Rodriguez (13). Starter-Khattak (4 9 4 4 1 4). HR-A.Thomas (6). Khattak couldn't stand prosperity with a 5-2 lead but the bullpen took over for him in the 5th and shut down the Jays the rest of the way. Jasso was 2-4 with 2 RBI and Thomas' solo homer in the 8th was an appreciated insurance run.

Game 4: 8-6 W. WP-Watters (1-1). S-R.Rodriguez (14). Starter-Oviedo (4.2 3 5 5 1 4). HR-Mesa (8), G.Henderson (1). The Rays completed the sweep in much the same fashion as they won the previous two games: jumping out to a big lead, watching Toronto come back and then finally putting it away. Gunnar's grand slam in the 4th made it 6-1, but Oviedo gave almost all of it back in the 5th and then Watters vultured a win by giving up a game-tying homer in the 8th to Vlad Guerrero. That's because Tampa Bay loaded the bases in the 9th with nobody out, and after it looked like the chance would go begging with two batters striking out, Jasso delivered a 2-run single to win it.

Team record: 28-20. The 4-game sweep enabled them to cut the Yankees' division lead to 3 1/2 games, and put them 4 1/2 in the first wild card position. Next up: A return home to play 3 against the Angels.

May 27-29, 2033: vs LA Angels (3)
 

Game 1: 0-4 L. LP-Stone (2-4, 6.1 4 2 1 0 9). This was a 0-0 game into the 7th and Stone, who had pitched a no-hitter earlier this season, was perfect through 6 1/3 before giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and not retiring another batter. He had no margin for error since the offense was AWOL with a few regulars needing rest.

Game 2: 2-6 L. LP-Fragoso (0-1, 4 3 2 2 1 3). HR-G.Henderson (2). Another loss to the Angels as a 2-1 game became 6-1 late thanks to the pen. Fragoso had to pitch on 3 days' rest so he had a short outing, but looked decent in his MLB debut.

Game 3: 9-2 W. WP-Lennon (4-2, 5.2 5 2 2 2 7). HR-Bell (6). Rays salvaged the finale by flipping the script of the night before, nursing a 3-2 lead before erupting for 6 runs in the 7th and 8th to make it a rout. The rookies got it done with Deckard hitting a first-inning bases-clearing triple and Bell launching a 3-run homer while Mesa drove in the other 3 on a single and sac fly.

Team record: 29-22. Still 3 1/2 behind the Yanks, and comfortably in the WC1 slot. Next up: Texas visits for 3 games.

May 30-June 1, 2033: vs Texas (3)
 

Game 1: 4-3 W (13). WP-Stevenson (2-0). Starter-Khattak (7.1 5 3 3 2 5). HR-J.Jones (1). Rookie Josh Jones' first MLB homer was a big one as he led off the 13th to walk it off for Tampa Bay. Solano was 3-6 with a save-high 4 steals.

Game 2: 3-0 W. WP-Oviedo (5-1, 6 4 0 0 2 7). S-Ogando (2). HR-Rutschman (11). The conversion of Oviedo back to a starter has been a big success as he's now 5-1, 2.54 and was brilliant today. Rutschman's 3-run homer in the 3rd supplied all the offense.

Transaction: 1B Nelson Haro returned from a brief rehab to join the team for the first time since late April. To make room 1B Evan Bell was sent back to Durham but he more than held his own in his first big league stint, hitting 262/309/429 with 6 homers in 126 AB.

Game 3: 5-1 W. WP-Stone (3-4, 7 1 1 1 1 11). HR-Haro (3), Hardy (12), Jasso (4). For the second straight start and third time this year Stone took a no-hitter into the 7th (of course the first time he completed one) in yet another dominant performance. He walked the leadoff man to lose the perfect game and then gave up an RBI double to lose the no-hitter but finished out the inning to a huge ovation. Meanwhile Haro took the first pitch he saw coming off the IL out of the park and combined with Hardy's 2-run jack the Rays were up 3-0 after the first and never looked back in completing the sweep.

Team record: 32-22. No ground gained on the Yankees who also swept their series but we're now a commanding 6 games ahead as WC1. Next up: A day off then Seattle visits for 3.

June 3-5, 2033: vs Seattle (3)
 

Game 1: 5-2 W. WP-Fragoso (1-1, 5.2 6 2 2 0 6). S-R.Rodriguez (15). HR-Jasso (5), Tovar (3). 22-year-old Cuban rookie Fragoso picked up his first MLB win with Jasso's 3-run homer the big blow supporting him.

Game 2: 3-7 L. LP-Lennon (4-3, 5.2 6 3 3 3 8). HR-C.Williams (6), Jasso (6). Rays were down 3-2 after 7 and 4-3 after 8 before the pen allowed 3 in the 9th to let it get away. Jasso homered for the third straight game in a losing cause.

Game 3: 7-1 W. WP-Buckman (3-1). Starter-Khattak (2.2 2 1 1 0 3). HR-Mesa (9). Rays handily beat Seattle and took 2 of 3 from a team that was 37-18 coming in. Mesa was 2-3 with a homer and Hardy knocked in a pair but it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows as Khattak tore his mensicus and is done for the year. Buckman, an ace in long relief for us, will get a crack at the rotation at least until Acosta comes back in a few weeks.

Team record: 34-23. As impressive as beating Seattle 2 of 3 was, we lost ground in the AL East as the Yankees swept their series and improved to 39-19, 4 1/2 games up. Next up: We'll get a chance to do something about that as we head to the Bronx for 4 games.

June 6-9, 2033: at NY Yankees (4)
 

Transaction: Khattak was put on the 60-day IL with his torn meniscus that ended his season and we purchased the contract of a familiar name, Eric Orze, from Durham. Orze pitched for the Rays from 2027-2030 and was in the rotation for the first 2 1/2 years of that stint, going 28-21, 4.36 as he was mostly a 5th starter/swingman type. He had signed a minor league contract a couple of weeks back with the Bulls after the Phillies let him go and he'll be our longman/mop-up guy.

Game 1: 4-5 L. LP-R.Rodriguez (2-1). Starter-Stone (7.1 6 2 2 1 5). HR-A.Thomas (7). A gut-punch of a loss as the Rays blew a 4-1 lead they took in the 8th when R-Rod gave up a 3-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the 9th. They were shut down by former teammate Luis German for 7 before erupting for 4 in the 8th including a Thomas solo shot and a 2-run Mesa double, but couldn't hold that lead in a game they needed.

Game 2: 2-6 L. LP-Oviedo (5-2, 4 5 5 5 4 3). The hangover from yesterday's game continued as Oviedo put them in a 5-0 hole after 2 and Mesa's 2-run double in the 9th merely avoided a shutout.

Game 3: 2-3 L. LP-Fragoso (1-2, 5 3 3 1 4 6). Fragoso was decent but gave up 3 in the first around a key Cedillos error and that was enough for the Yankees to take their third straight in the series as the offense continued to be meek.

Game 4: 6-1 W. WP-Lennon (5-3, 9 6 1 1 0 4). HR-Haro (4), Mesa (10), Jasso (7). The 23-year-old rookie Lennon was brilliant today in his first career complete game, needing only 91 pitches to twirl his gem at Yankee Stadium and salvage the finale for Tampa Bay. Jasso had a big game at the plate, drilling a 2-run homer as part of a 4-RBI day.

Team record: 35-26. The near-disaster of a series dropped the Rays 6 1/2 behind the Yankees but they remain firmly ensconced in the first wild card. Next up: A return home for interleague action with 3 against Arizona who's stumbling along at 28-33.

June 10-12, 2033: vs Arizona (3)
 

Game 1: 4-3 W (13). WP-Green (1-1). Starter-Buckman (6 5 3 3 3 6). Fitting I suppose that Buckman, who went 15-8 in relief last year, got a no-decision in his first MLB start but the Rays still won it when Cedillos singled in the winner in the bottom of the 13th. Jasso had a 2-run single in regulation.

Game 2: 5-7 L. LP-R.Rodriguez (2-2). Starter-Stone (7.2 4 2 2 2 10). HR-Tovar (4), Rutschman 2 (13), Jasso (8). A very unfortunate loss as the Rays led this one 4-0 after 7 and 5-3 after 8 only to blow it thanks to a bullpen that was fried from the previous night's marathon. As a result we turned to guys like Green and Watters, who have been terrible this year and predictably were again tonight, leading us to turn to a tired R-Rod in the 9th and he couldn't get it done either. A shame as Stone was dominant (a one-hitter through 7) and we pushed him a bit too far based on the tired pen. Also it meant the feat of back-to-back-to-back homers from Tovar, Rutschman and Jasso in the 4th went for naught.

Game 3: 4-3 W. WP-Oviedo (6-2, 6 4 1 1 1 7). S-Ogando (3). HR-Mesa (11). Oviedo bounced back from his brutal start at Yankee Stadium to pitch a gem and the Rays held on despite the pen allowing runs in the 8th and 9th. The four runs were knocked in by four different players including Mesa's solo shot.

Team record: 37-27. Still 6 1/2 behind New York and still a solid WC1. Next up: A bad (24-41) Giants team visits for 3 games.

June 13-15, 2033: vs San Francisco (3)
 

Game 1: 4-1 W. WP-Fragoso (2-2, 7 3 1 1 1 3). S-Vargas (1). The rookie Fragoso was excellent again and Jasso had an RBI double while Hardy added 2 hits including a double and an RBI to lead the Rays to an opening win.

Game 2: 3-0 W. WP-Lennon (6-3, 7 4 0 0 1 8). S-R.Rodriguez (16). HR-Rutschman (14). Lennon pitched the best game of his young career and his battery mate Rustchman supplied the key hit with a 2-run homer off former longtime Rays starter Donye Evans, who's now 3-4, 3.94 with the Giants.

Game 3: 6-3 W. WP-Buckman (4-1, 5.2 6 1 1 4 3). S-Stevenson (1). HR-Solano (3), Hardy (13). After 22 career relief wins including 15 last season Buckman got his first MLB win as a starter despite pitching with a lot of traffic today as the Rays completed the sweep of San Fran. Hardy had the big bat with a 2-run homer and RBI single.

Team record: 40-27. The Rays did slice two games off the Yankees' division lead, reducing it to 4 1/2 to stay in that race and they continue to remain comfortably as the WC1. Next up: A day off then off to Cleveland for 3 against the 34-34 Guardians.

June 17-19, 2033: at Cleveland (3)
 

Game 1: 5-1 W. WP-Stone (4-4, 6.1 2 0 0 1 7). S-M.Green (1). HR-Jasso (9), Cedillos (3). A scoreless game until Jasso's 2-run jack in the 7th and then Cedillos belted a 3-run bomb in the 8th to back Stone, who now leads the AL in pitcher WAR at 2.9.

Game 2: 12-2 W. WP-Oviedo (7-2, 5.2 4 0 0 3 7). HR-C.Williams (7), Jasso (10), Haro (5). Williams' 3-run homer in the 2nd got the party started and Haro capped it with a slam with backup catcher Arrambide had 4 hits. Meanwhile Oviedo is the lastest reliever-turned-starter success story for us in recent years as he lowered his ERA to 2.77.

Game 3: 2-3 L. LP-Ogando (1-3). Starter-Fragoso (6.1 6 2 1 3 2). A tough way to end the 6-game win streak as Ogando gave up a solo homer to Juan Soto in the 8th, breaking a 2-2 tie.

Team record: 42-28. We continue to cut into the Yankees' division lead as it's now down to 3 1/2. Next up: Back home to play 4 against Baltimore.

Rays News: A couple of franchise stalwarts began rehab assignments - Yordan Alvarez and Aldry Acosta. Jasso has been so good filling in for Yordan that we'll have to find at-bats for him while Fragoso has been impressive as well in Acosta's rotation spot.

June 20-23, 2033: vs Baltimore (4)
 

Game 1: 2-3 L (11). LP-L.Gonzalez (2-1). Starter-Lennon (6 6 2 2 2 6). Rays scored twice in the first and couldn't again, dooming them to an extra-inning defeat.

Game 2: 3-2 W. WP-Stevenson (3-0). S-R.Rodriguez (17). Starter-Buckman (2.2 2 1 1 2 0). Haro had a pair of RBI singles and the bullpen excelled after Buckman left early with a herniated disc in his back.

In need of an offensive boost, we swung a big trade:

https://i.imgur.com/eQhuQ1t.png

Who is Jose Pino?

https://i.imgur.com/18799xh.png

Yeah, he's pretty good. The only knock on him is his defense but it's something you live with when you have a 5-6 WAR player. We paid a good price for him, starting with our incumbent 2B Mesa, who did a decent job for us but was a 2-WAR player. Cantu is an excellent power prospect, but there are questions about his contact (50 ceiling) and he's limited to 1B (probably DH since he's a 40 at 1B). Gonzalez is the key prospect, a potential do-it-all CF with potential 65 contact/65 power and a good glove, but he's 18 and in DSL ball. The fourth guy was a half-star "make it work" guy. Pino gives the offense a legit boost which it badly needed. He has 3 years of team control left but will obviously get expensive, projected for $14.5M in arbitration next year and $20M+ in the two years after that but should be worth it.

Transactions: Aside from swapping out Mesa for Pino, Buckman goes on the IL with his herniated disc although he should be back when his 15 days are up, Christian Rodriguez is recalled from Durham for long relief while Stevenson moves back into the rotation. Also in another boost to the offense Yordan Alvarez is activated off the IL after swatting 3 homers in his 2 rehab games and Kyle Deckard, who struggled in his first MLB callup, is sent back to the Bulls.

Game 3: 3-11 L. LP-Stone (4-5, 5.1 5 5 5 4 6). HR-Tovar (5), Haro (6). Pino made his Rays debut and while he had a decent game his teammates didn't as Baltimore blew out the Rays. Stone had only allowed 6 runs over his last 5 starts and cruised through the first 4 with a 2-0 lead, but the bottom fell out in the 5th as he gave up 5 runs on a couple of homers and the bullpen was brutal from there in letting it get away. Pino was 2-4 with a walk so he did his part.

Game 4: 7-0 W. WP-Oviedo (8-2, 6.2 6 0 0 3 6). HR-J.Jones (2), Pino (1/22). Oviedo was dominant again, pitching the Rays to a split. It was a tense 2-0 game until the 7th when Jones broke it open with a 3-run homer and then Pino launched what we hope is the first of many homers in a Tampa Bay uniform to cap the scoring.

Team record: 44-30. The two losses cost us a game in the division race as we now trail the Yanks by 4 1/2. Next up: Interleague play as 36-39 San Diego visits for 3.

June 24-26, 2033: vs San Diego (3)
 

Game 1: 0-3 L. LP-Fragoso (2-3, 4.1 6 3 3 2 4). Rays were held to six hits by Tarik Skubal and the Padre bullpen as they dropped the opener.

Game 2: 3-2 W. WP-Lennon (7-3, 5.1 8 2 2 1 8). S-R.Rodriguez (18). HR-Haro (7). Tampa Bay jumped out to an early 3-0 lead then held on the rest of the way as Lennon pitched out of several jams and the pen held. Haro was 2-4 with his solo homer.

Game 3: 7-0 W. WP-Stevenson (4-0, 6 1 0 0 4 5). HR-Solano (4), Jasso (11). Stevenson's return to the rotation to replace the injured Buckman was a smash success as he and two relievers combined on a 1-hit shutout. Solano's grand slam highlighted a 6-run 2nd inning and allowed the Rays to coast.

Team record: 46-31. We regained a game on the Yankees in the division race, cutting their lead to 3 1/2. Next up: More interleague action as the Dodgers visit for 3 games.

June 27-29, 2033: vs LA Dodgers (3)
 

Game 1: Going to share the box on this one, since we had a special event:

https://i.imgur.com/iWPjLU8.png

Had a no-hitter earlier this year (with Stone pitching) and now a cycle for Haro.

Game 2: 7-3 W. WP-Orze (1-0). Starter-Oviedo (1 1 0 0 0 1). HR-Solano (5), Pino (2/23). Oviedo had to leave with a sore elbow and as a result Orze picked up his first Rays win since 2030. Solano had a massive night, going 4-4 with a triple, homer and 3 RBI while Pino drove in a pair including his second Rays homer.

Game 3: 0-3 L. LP-Fragoso (2-4, 4.1 5 3 3 1 5). Rays bats were held to 3 hits and the Dodgers scored all their runs in the first.

Team record: 48-32. The Yankees lost twice so we're about as close as we've been in a long time, only 2 1/2 back. Next up: A day off to head to Wrigley for 3 against the Cubs, struggling this year at 33-47.

2033 Midseason Review
 

We're halfway through the defense of our World Series crown, solidly in a playoff spot and looking for more (the division):

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

Yes that's our old friend Wander Franco leading the AL in batting average, RBI and WAR, bidding for an MVP but not going anywhere with Boston right now.

https://i.imgur.com/XN9oiqV.png

Overall we've been pretty consistent this year, getting excellent pitching and just enough hitting although despite being 4th in the league in OPS we're only 10th in runs scored so we're not hitting with RISP very well and the team's poor baserunning isn't helping either.

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

Outside of Rutschman, this has been a pretty uninspiring group of hitters and here's hoping they get hot in the second half (or like last year, get red-hot in the playoffs). The left side of the infield has been a mess with Cedillos and Williams playing at replacement level and after upgrading 2B with Pino we might make another move to upgrade one of those positions.

https://i.imgur.com/JDzaD37.png

Stone was an inspired free-agent signing (only wished I had signed him to a 2-year deal, not a 1-year) and Oviedo was an inspired relief conversion. With rookies Lennon and Fragoso impressing, the pitching pipeline keeps on keepin' on. Veterans Watters and Green have been brutal in the bullpen though. Acosta will be back off the IL to start the next game.

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

A middle-of-the-pack farm system. Gurrola is on the verge, hitting .300 at Durham and I'm seriously considering dealing Alek Thomas (on a one-year deal) to make room for him. Also Lowe is more than ready to be the backup catcher should something happen to Arrambide. Otherwise the top guys are a few years away.

July 1-3, 2033: at Chicago Cubs (3)
 

Game 1: 11-5 W. WP-Stevenson (5-0). Starter-Lennon (4.1 10 5 5 0 6). HR-Y.Alvarez (10), Hardy (14). It was a back-and-forth affair until the Rays went forth in the 7th and broke a 5-5 tie and the Cubs didn't come back. Hardy's 3-run homer was the winner and he, Yordan and Pino had 3-RBI days to lead the onslaught.

Game 2: 2-3 L. LP-Watters (1-2). Starter-Acosta (6 3 1 1 1 3). HR-Pino (3/24). Short of RH bullpen options I went to Watters in a 2-2 game in the 7th and it was a mistake as he gave up the winning run, continuing his terrible season and wasting a brilliant return from the IL by Acosta.

Game 3: 9-3 W. WP-Stone (6-5, 5 4 3 3 3 7). HR-Rutschman 2 (16), Hardy (15), Pino (4/25). Massive games from Rutschman (3-5 with a double, 2 HR, 3 RBI) and Pino (3-4, walk, homer, 3 RBI) led the Rays to a series win over Chicago.

Team record: 50-33. And the Rays continue to creep closer to the Yankees, who dropped 2 of 3 over the weekend and now only lead the division by 1 1/2 games. Next up: Off to Fenway for 4 against Boston.

July 4-7, 2033: vs Boston (3)
 

Game 1: 9-3 W. WP-Oviedo (9-2, 5 7 0 0 2 4). HR-C.Williams (8). Rays scored in 6 of the 9 innings as they romped against the Red Sox. The bottom of the order did the damage with Williams 2-3 with 3 runs scored, the homer and 2 RBI, Cedillos with a double, triple and 3 RBI and backup C Arrambide 3-5 with 2 RBI.

Game 2: 5-6 L. LP-Stevenson (5-1). Starter-Fragoso (4.1 6 5 5 2 4). Rays fought back from 5-1 down to tie it only to see Stevenson give up the winner in the 7th. Haro had a 2-run double and Hardy was 3-5 with a ribbie.

Game 3: 1-4 L. LP-Lennon (7-4, 5 6 4 4 1 5). The bats were quiet today with only 5 hits as the Rays lost again.

July 7: Activated P Benjamin Buckman from the 15-day IL and DFA'd P Eric Orze.

Buckman will return to the rotation, replacing Fragoso who's struggled in his last three start and will take over the long relief/mop-up role.

Game 4: 3-8 L. LP-Acosta (2-4, 5 6 4 4 0 3). A rough series in Beantown concluded the Rays' worst loss of the 3, although Haro was 5-5 with 3 doubles and an RBI. New pickup Pino had a rough game, 0-4 with 5 LOB and his error led to four unearned runs which turned a 4-3 game into an 8-3 one.

Team record: 51-36. The three losses, combined the Yankees taking 3 of 4, push the Rays to 3 1/2 back in the division. Also their hold on WC1 is more tenuous as the White Sox have pulled to within two there. Next up: 3 games in Milwaukee before we hit the All-Star break.

July 8-10, 2033: at Milwaukee (3)
 

Game 1: 6-4 W. WP-Stevenson (6-1). S-R.Rodriguez (20). Starter-Buckman (4 3 3 3 3 3, 3 HR). HR-Hardy (16), Haro (9). Buckman gave up 3 solo homers in the 4th to put the Rays in a 3-0 hole but they came right back with 3 in the 5th and went on to win. Hardy was 2-3 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI.

Game 2: 3-5 L (10). LP-Green (1-2). Starter-Stone (6 6 2 2 1 8). HR-Y.Alvarez (11). Rays came back twice to tie including Yordan's solo homer in the 8th but the execrable Max Green gave up a 2-run homer in the 10th to lose it. Signed for $13.3M this offseason to give us a lefty weapon in the pen we've instead been shooting ourselves with him as he's allowed 8 homers in only 26 IP and "boasts" a 6.57 ERA.

Game 3: 5-2 W. WP-Oviedo (10-2, 5.1 6 2 2 1 3). S-R.Rodriguez (21). HR-Pino (5/26), Rutschman (17). Rays took the rubber game behind another strong performance from Oviedo and Rutschman's 2-run homer in the 6th which broke a 2-2 tie and sent them to victory.

Team record: 53-37. We did regain a game on the Yankees to pull within 2 1/2 but the White Sox remain hot on our heels for WC1, only 2 back. Next up: The All-Star break and the Amateur Draft, and when we return to action it'll be for four at home against Toronto starting Thursday.

All-Star Break 2033
 

The Players:

Half of the season has been played and now it's time for the All-Star game! It's a game where the fans will get to see their favorite players compete on the same field together, a game where the players themselves become fans and all of baseball comes together to celebrate one of the great traditions of the game -- the Major League Baseball All-Star game. The American League and the National League will come together today to decide the title of the best league for this season.

Here are the talented stars on the American League roster:

SP Jonathan Edwards (BOS) - 8-2, 3.41 ERA, 95.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 11.1 K/9, 2.9 WAR
SP Ignacio Gonzales (NYY) - 9-5, 3.83 ERA, 124.2 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 9.2 K/9, 3.7 WAR
SP Wyatt Hudepohl (SEA)* - 7-5, 2.53 ERA, 114.0 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 2.8 WAR
SP Edwin Montoya (CLE) - 10-3, 2.11 ERA, 98.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 2.6 WAR
SP Dakota Stone (TB) - 6-5, 3.08 ERA, 108.0 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, 3.3 WAR
SP Juan Tello (MIN) - 6-1, 2.49 ERA, 79.2 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 1.1 WAR
SP Jose Virgen (KC) - 6-3, 2.62 ERA, 110.0 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 2.2 WAR
RP Luis Cuevas (LAA) - 1-2, 1.96 ERA, 36.2 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 11.5 K/9, 0.9 WAR
RP Andrew Perez (OAK) - 2-3, 3.28 ERA, 49.1 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, -0.3 WAR
RP Randy Rodriguez (TB) - 2-2, 20 SV, 2.00 ERA, 36.0 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 14.2 K/9, 1.9 WAR
RP Angel Vargas (TB) - 3-1, 2.02 ERA, 49.0 IP, 1.45 WHIP, 11.6 K/9, 1.8 WAR
CL Max Meyer (NYY)* - 2-0, 13 SV, 1.17 ERA, 38.1 IP, 0.86 WHIP, 13.4 K/9, 1.7 WAR
CL Jesus Romillo (DET) - 3-4, 28 SV, 2.16 ERA, 50.0 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 0.7 WAR
C Gabriel Moreno (TOR) - .279/.361/.511, 219 AB, 12 HR, 138 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
C Adley Rutschman (TB)* - .256/.353/.473, 262 AB, 16 HR, 126 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
C Tyler Stephenson (CWS) - .265/.348/.376, 245 AB, 5 HR, 3 SB, 103 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
1B Nick Camacho (BAL) - .281/.339/.478, 270 AB, 13 HR, 6 SB, 122 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
1B Dave Gomez (CWS) - .319/.384/.615, 213 AB, 17 HR, 175 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)* - .252/.367/.438, 322 AB, 17 HR, 1 SB, 123 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
2B Jose Pino (TB)* - .296/.384/.583, 324 AB, 25 HR, 165 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
3B Juan Dobbs (DET) - .308/.356/.491, 334 AB, 7 HR, 7 SB, 128 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
3B Wander Franco (BOS) - .349/.401/.627, 338 AB, 21 HR, 1 SB, 180 wRC+, 5.4 WAR
3B Justin Sill (CWS)* - .299/.350/.624, 348 AB, 32 HR, 162 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
3B Wilfred Veras (CWS)* - .304/.388/.618, 322 AB, 29 HR, 1 SB, 174 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
3B Kevin White (CLE) - .292/.369/.602, 322 AB, 28 HR, 1 SB, 163 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
SS Antonio Anderson (CWS) - .259/.321/.491, 316 AB, 14 HR, 5 SB, 121 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
SS Carlos Correa (NYY)* - .255/.340/.380, 271 AB, 8 HR, 5 SB, 100 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
LF Dave Aleman (DET)* - .298/.377/.544, 329 AB, 18 HR, 21 SB, 147 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
LF Alex Kirilloff (BOS) - .298/.359/.548, 305 AB, 19 HR, 3 SB, 146 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
LF Luis Morales (MIN) - .301/.381/.543, 322 AB, 18 HR, 152 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
LF Junior Perez (LAA) - .237/.331/.602, 304 AB, 34 HR, 1 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
LF Orlando Reyna (SEA) - .317/.370/.540, 252 AB, 15 HR, 1 SB, 144 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
CF Julio Rodriguez (SEA)* - .291/.377/.514, 247 AB, 12 HR, 6 SB, 146 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
RF Kyle Tucker (NYY)* - .284/.359/.466, 324 AB, 12 HR, 7 SB, 126 wRC+, 2.8 WAR

And these are the gifted players for the National League:

SP Robert Ahlstrom (NYM)* - 8-5, 2.32 ERA, 128.0 IP, 0.94 WHIP, 11.2 K/9, 4.1 WAR
SP Edwin Barreto (ATL) - 7-7, 2.93 ERA, 107.2 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 14.3 K/9, 3.6 WAR
SP Parker Detmers (WSH) - 8-3, 4.09 ERA, 94.2 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 14.0 K/9, 2.7 WAR
SP Jayden McClarin (NYM) - 8-6, 2.67 ERA, 118.0 IP, 0.88 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, 3.8 WAR
SP Luis Patiño (LAD) - 7-7, 4.03 ERA, 96.0 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 1.6 WAR
SP Juan Sandoval (NYM) - 10-4, 2.61 ERA, 110.1 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 10.8 K/9, 3.7 WAR
SP Isaiah White (MIL) - 5-5, 3.51 ERA, 105.0 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 13.7 K/9, 1.7 WAR
SP Jose Wicks (SD) - 6-5, 2.45 ERA, 110.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 2.0 WAR
RP Gerardo Carrillo (PHI) - 2-1, 8 SV, 2.02 ERA, 49.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, 0.6 WAR
RP Jack Leiter (MIL) - 2-2, 3.15 ERA, 60.0 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 1.1 WAR
RP Frank Mozzicato (ARI) - 7-5, 2.18 ERA, 62.0 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, 1.1 WAR
RP Jared Szabo (MIA) - 1-1, 1.91 ERA, 56.2 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 0.6 WAR
CL Omar Cabrera (SA) - 2-6, 21 SV, 3.92 ERA, 39.0 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, 1.3 WAR
CL Landon Sims (CHC) - 3-5, 20 SV, 5.89 ERA, 36.2 IP, 1.72 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 0.5 WAR
C Francisco Alvarez (NYM) - .220/.305/.404, 245 AB, 12 HR, 97 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
C Edgar Quero (CIN) - .252/.317/.437, 238 AB, 9 HR, 1 SB, 103 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
C Ernesto Ruiz (SA)* - .249/.364/.522, 245 AB, 17 HR, 144 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
1B Vinny Garza (WSH)* - .287/.334/.554, 341 AB, 23 HR, 136 wRC+, 2.3 WAR (Injured)
1B Jacob Gonzalez (ARI) - .305/.359/.548, 341 AB, 22 HR, 7 SB, 138 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
1B Mario Guevara (SF) - .331/.362/.480, 296 AB, 2 HR, 33 SB, 132 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
1B Angel Reinas (LAD)* - .262/.329/.586, 336 AB, 30 HR, 1 SB, 142 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
1B Jamel White (STL)* - .340/.367/.543, 350 AB, 14 HR, 1 SB, 150 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
2B Brian Greer (ARI) - .311/.345/.475, 318 AB, 7 HR, 1 SB, 124 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
2B Sergio Somarriba (ATL)* - .290/.382/.563, 252 AB, 15 HR, 8 SB, 157 wRC+, 3.0 WAR (Injured)
3B Luis Garcia (WSH)* - .317/.374/.516, 322 AB, 12 HR, 3 SB, 141 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
3B Bill Hairston (WSH) - .300/.376/.576, 323 AB, 22 HR, 7 SB, 156 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
3B Nobuo Tasaka (NYM) - .284/.343/.485, 328 AB, 15 HR, 3 SB, 129 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
3B Bobby Witt Jr. (PHI) - .268/.344/.458, 321 AB, 17 HR, 12 SB, 118 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
SS Eric Bitonti (PHI) - .301/.346/.517, 319 AB, 17 HR, 134 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
SS Hector Juarez (WSH)* - .357/.402/.656, 311 AB, 22 HR, 3 SB, 185 wRC+, 4.8 WAR
LF Julio Arriaga (PHI) - .314/.355/.681, 204 AB, 22 HR, 2 SB, 180 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
LF Manny Becerra (COL)* - .365/.422/.506, 348 AB, 2 HR, 41 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
LF Yohendrick Pinango (ATL) - .339/.395/.563, 295 AB, 11 HR, 3 SB, 161 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
CF Angelo Davila (COL) - .315/.384/.547, 232 AB, 10 HR, 6 SB, 148 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
CF Riley Greene (CHC)* - .264/.330/.504, 242 AB, 12 HR, 125 wRC+, 1.1 WAR (Injured)
RF Omar Delgado (CIN) - .292/.362/.577, 319 AB, 26 HR, 1 SB, 155 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
RF Dave Rivera (MIL) - .260/.343/.558, 312 AB, 26 HR, 1 SB, 145 wRC+, 2.0 WAR

(former Rays in italics - Tucker was a one-year rental in 2025 and Greene a half-season rental in 2028)

We sent a decent contingent of five to the game. Starter Stone makes his 4th appearance and first as a Ray, R-Rod goes for the second straight time and Vargas makes a surprise first appearance. Rutschman of course is a fixture - this marks the 11th straight year he's been an All-Star, selected in every season during his career except for his rookie campaign, and new acquisition Pino makes it for the third straight year.

The Derby:

Pino was selected for this competition.

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

And he won! This is the first (or maybe the second) time I can remember a Ray winning this competition, and Pino did it in style, hitting a contest-best 28 homers in the final round.

The Game:

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

It was a rough night for the AL and for the Rays contingent as pitchers Vargas and Stone both gave up runs with Stone surrendering a 2-run homer to Bobby Witt Jr. R-Rod didn't pitch. On the batting side at least Pino doubled and scored one of the two AL runs while Rutschman took the collar in 2 at-bats.

The 2033 Amateur Draft
 

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

Arroyo: A college SS from San Diego State, he should stick at the position (55 potential) and has a healthy bat (potential for 70 contact, 55 power and 55 eye).

Torrez: High-school OF from Colorado with massive hitting potential (70/70), but despite being listed as a CF will end up in a corner.

Davalos: Arkansas high-schooler who might be iffy at 3B and have to move to the OF but if the bat lives up to billing it won't matter (60 contact, 65 power, 80(!) eye - and 65 avoid Ks).

Marinez: High-school lefty from Mississippi who could have 65 stuff and movement but the catch is a 45 ceiling on his control.

Ohler: A bat-first high-school catcher from that baseball hotbed of Prince Edward Island, Canada. 70/60 contact/power potential but will likely end up a DH with 35 potential behind the plate.

July 14-17, 2033: vs Toronto (4)
 

Game 1: 6-5 W. WP-Stevenson (7-1). S-R.Rodriguez (22). Starter-Buckman (3 8 4 4 1 3). HR-Y.Alvarez (12). Yordan doubled, homered and drove in a pair while Solano knocked in a pair as well to lead the Rays to a win in their first game back since the break.

Game 2: 6-9 L. LP-Ogando (1-4). Starter-Acosta (4.2 3 3 3 2 7). HR-Solano (6), Haro (10). Rays took a 6-4 lead into the 9th only for Ogando to load the bases with nobody out and give up a grand slam, followed by a solo homer, wasting a big game from Solano who doubled twice, homered and drove in 3 runs.

Game 3: 3-1 W. WP-Lennon (8-4, 6.1 4 1 1 2 7). S-R.Rodriguez (23). An outstanding game from Lennon preserved by a 2-inning save from R-Rod as the bullpen options were thin. It should have been a more comfortable victory but they left 10 on, including 7 from Rutschman who was 0-4.

We made a trade to beef up the pen:

https://i.imgur.com/vqEVPb4.png

Boyle was Boston's closer and had 19 saves but also sported a rough 5.81 ERA in large part due to 22 walks in 31 IP and a .397 BABIP against. He's rated 80/65/45 and has been better in the recent past so he'll give us another option in the pen when Ogando and/or R-Rod aren't ready to close or set up. Sanchez was a marginal relief prospect at Durham while Boyle is a rental. David Fragoso was optioned to the Bulls to make room.

Game 4: 4-5 L. LP-Stevenson (7-2). Starter-Oviedo (3.2 6 3 3 0 5). HR-Cedillos (4). Another painful loss, this time as they loaded the bases in the bottom of the 9th with nobody out and down by a run, only to have Haro whiff, Pino pop up and Yordan strike out to end the game, capping a day in which he was 0-5 with 7 LOB. Oviedo had to leave with a sprained ankle so Fragoso will be back up to take his rotation place for a couple of weeks.

Team record: 55-39. Our position worsened after the split, falling 3 1/2 behind the Yankees in the division and seeing our WC1 lead down to 1/2 game over the White Sox. Next up: A day off then Kansas City visits for 3.

July 19-21, 2033: vs Kansas City (3)
 

Game 1: 5-10 L. LP-Stone (6-6, 4 8 6 6 4 4). HR-Pino (6/27), Hardy (17). It looked early like the Rays' day when Pino homered to put them up 3-0 after 3 but the Royals responded with 5 off Stone in the 4th and piled on from there.

Game 2: 9-3 W. WP-Buckman (5-1, 6.1 4 0 0 1 10). HR-Haro 2 (12), Hardy (18), Pino (7/28), Solano (7). Plenty of stellar performances to go around starting with Buckman's best outing as a big-leaguer and Haro's 2-homer, 3-RBI day. Pino added a 2-run shot as the Rays rolled.

Game 3: 3-2 W. WP-Acosta (3-4, 6 3 2 2 2 7). S-R.Rodriguez (24). HR-Solano (8). The Rays had only two hits in the game and both teams combined for a mere six but Solano's was the biggest, a 3-run homer in the 5th which provided all the offense Tampa Bay would need.

Team record: 57-40. Unfortunately the Yankees swept, putting them 4 1/2 up on the Rays in the division and so did the White Sox, moving them into a tie for WC1. Next up: The Rays will have a chance to do something about that division deficit as New York visits for 3 games.

July 22-24, 2033: vs NY Yankees (3)
 

Transaction: We decided to upgrade the backup catcher position, optioning Cade Arrambide to Durham and recalling Jalen Lowe, our 2nd-round pick in 2028 who was having a nice season (264/311/426) with 8 homers for the Bulls and boasts 50 contact/55 power/55 defense ratings.

Game 1: 7-6 W. WP-Vargas (4-1). S-R.Rodriguez (25). Starter-Lennon (4 9 6 6 1 2). HR-Y.Alvarez (13), Haro (13). What a game. The Yankees led 3-0 after 1 and 6-3 into the 6th before the Rays mounted an inspiring comeback. After getting it back to 6-5, Haro belted a 2-run homer off a lefty in the bottom of the 8th to give Tampa Bay the critical win. Yordan was 3-4 with his 2-run homer as well.

Game 2: 7-4 W. WP-Fragoso (3-4, 6 4 3 3 1 5). S-Ogando (4). HR-Rutschman (18). Another big win for the Rays as they raced out to a 7-0 lead behind Rutschman's 3-run homer and fine pitching from Fragoso in his return to the rotation. He loaded the bases with nobody out in the 7th before giving way to Stevenson, who gave up a grand slam to let NY back in it but the pen held from there.

Game 3: 5-4 W. WP-R.Rodriguez (3-2). Starter-Stone (6 3 1 1 2 9). HR-Cedillos (5). The Rays completed the sweep of the Yankees in thrilling fashion when Cedillos' walk-off homer with 2 out in the 9th broke a 4-4 tie and moved Tampa Bay to within 1 1/2 of New York in the division and 2 ahead of the White Sox for WC1. Stone was brilliant and Yordan was 2-4 with a pair of RBI doubles to give them a 4-1 lead but Vargas blew it in the 7th before Cedillos bailed him out.

Team record: 60-40. Next up: 3 games in Minnesota.

Another major trade.
 

We're all-in this season (as we usually are) and after acquiring a top-level young slugger in Jose Pino to upgrade 2B about a month ago we're at it again, making a big move for a 3B while raiding our farm system:

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

Who is Kevin White, you may ask?

https://i.imgur.com/8F3V3I5.png

One of the better 3B in the league and a still-young guy under team control for three more years (although they'll start getting expensive as he heads to arbitration in the winter). He's an above-average 3B with the glove and a premier power hitter of course. His current .281 BA is probably a bit high considering his 45 contact rating but he's a massive upgrade over incumbent Carson Williams, who was literally playing at replacement level (0.0 WAR).

As might be expected the price wasn't cheap, and we had to part with Miller, our top prospect and MLB's #56 overall, as well as veteran OF Thomas, our starting LF who was having a decent season (on pace for 2.5 WAR) but wasn't moving the needle that much (and he's a free agent at year's end). And dealing Thomas opens the door for another of our top prospects, 2031 top pick and 22-year old Hector Gurrola who was hitting 305/372/458 at Durham with 6 homers and 20 steals. Gurrola will actually take over CF where he had a 7.1 ZR with the Bulls and Solano will move back to his better position of LF. Meanwhile Williams becomes our utility IF and Josh Jones, who hadn't played in two weeks, is optioned to Durham. The move could also give more ABs to Javy Jasso, who has hit well (286/342/498) in 203 AB this season.

July 25-27, 2033: at Minnesota (3)
 

Game 1: 3-4 L. LP-Buckman (5-2, 4.2 5 4 4 2 7). HR-Y.Alvarez (14). Yordan's 3-run homer in the first got them off to a great start, but the offense did nothing after that and Buckman couldn't hold the lead. Kevin White was 0-3 with a walk in his Rays debut. Speaking of debuts, rookies Gurrola (1-4 with a double) and Jalen Lowe (0-3) played their first MLB game.

Game 2: 6-4 W. WP-Watters (2-2). S-R.Rodriguez (26). HR-K.White (1/32), Hardy (19). White hit his first Rays homer but it was a 3-run rally in the 9th that won this for the Rays with Hardy's 2-run homer the decisive blow. R-Rod walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th but got out of it to pick up the save.

Game 3: 5-4 W. WP-Lennon (9-4, 6 4 2 2 3 5). S-Ogando (5). HR-Haro (14). Rays left 10 on base in this one and should have won more comfortably, but hung on to take the rubber the game.

Team record: 62-41. Yankees also won two of three so we remain 1 1/2 behind them in the division while we have a new pursuer for WC1 as the White Sox got so hot they took the division lead from Detroit so it's the Tigers who are 3 behind us.

July 29-31, 2033: vs Cleveland (3)
 

Game 1: 5-3 W. WP-Vargas (5-1). S-R.Rodriguez (27). Starter-Fragoso (4 7 3 3 2 6). HR-Y.Alvarez (15). Haro's RBI double in the 6th broke a 3-3 tie in the Rays' favor as they took the opener from Cleveland. The rookie Gurrola was 2-4 with an RBI triple in his home debut.

Game 2: 6-5 W. WP-Boyle (1-0). Starter-Stone (6 7 5 5 1 5). HR-Pino (8/29), Gurrola (1). Kevin White had his first big moment as a Ray, singling in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th and completing a comeback from down 5-1. Pino's 3-run homer in the 5th got them back in the game and then Gurrola's first MLB dinger in the 7th tied it up. Haro was 4-4 as he stayed red-hot.

Game 3: Too much offense to recap so I'll let the box score do the talking:

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

Team record: 65-41. The Rays have now won 6 in a row and 10 of their last 11 and finally moved into the first place in the AL East by 1/2 game over the Yankees. Next up: A day off then 3 huge games in the Bronx against those very Yankees.

We didn't do anything additional at the trade deadline after making the major deals for Pino and White and adding Boyle to the bullpen.

And not exactly a surprise here:

https://i.imgur.com/E2JbItN.png

August 2-4, 2033: at NY Yankees (3)
 

Game 1: 4-5 L. LP-Acosta (3-5, 4.1 4 5 5 2 4). Acosta's recent struggles continued and although they got within one on Hardy's 2-run double they couldn't get any more and fell back into second place.

Game 2: 6-4 W. WP-Lennon (10-4, 6 5 1 1 4 4). S-R.Rodriguez (28). HR-Pino (9/30), Haro (16). The Rays regained first place after jumping out to a 6-0 lead and holding on against New York. Pino got the ball rolling with a 2-run shot in the first and Haro stayed molten lava hot by going 3-4 with a homer and 3 RBI. Interestingly despite scoring 6 runs Rays batters struck out a team-record 20 times. Meanwhile Watters came on in the 9th with the Rays leading 6-1 and made a huge mess requiring R-Rod to save the day.

Transaction: Luis Oviedo comes off the IL and rejoins the rotation with Danny Fragoso returned to Durham.

Game 3: 0-10 L. LP-Oviedo (10-3, 3 5 3 3 2 3). Oviedo gave up a homer to the first man he faced in his first start off the IL (he was only on it for 15 days so no rehab) and it went downhill from there with the pen making it a rout although it didn't matter when the bats could only manage three hits. As a result the Rays are back in second, 1/2 game behind the Yankees.

Team record: 66-43. Next up: Time to head northeast on I-95 and play 3 games in Boston.

August 5-7, 2033: at Boston (3)
 

Game 1: 10-12 L. LP-Stone (6-7, 2.1 9 8 8 1 4). HR-K.White (3/34). The final score is a bit misleading as Boston was up 10-0 in this one before the Rays mounted a furious rally to get within 11-10 in the 7th. Rutschman had a bases-clearing double and White was 2-4 with the homer and 2 RBI.

Game 2: 2-3 L (16). LP-Green (1-3). Starter-Buckman (7 4 2 2 2 2). HR-Y.Alvarez (17). A tough one as we exhausted the bullpen and I knew as soon I turned to Green, the last man in the pen, the game would be lost - and it was.

Game 3: 6-4 W. WP-Little (2-2). S-Ogando (6). Starter-Acosta (4.2 7 3 3 1 3). HR-Pino (10/31). Things were looking bleak with the Rays down 4-2 going into the 8th with a burned-out bullpen that led to Acosta staying in a bit longer than he should have. But a 4-run rally keyed by Yordan's bases-clearing double put them ahead in the 8th and Ogando managed to get a 5-out save as they salvaged the finale.

Team record: 67-45. Luckily the Yankees also lost 2 of 3 in Toronto so we remain a mere 1/2 game behind them and are up 4 on Detroit for WC1. Next up: A day off then back home for 3 against Houston.

August 9-11, 2033: vs Houston (3)
 

Game 1: 1-4 L. LP-Lennon (10-5, 5 4 3 3 1 10). Rays pitching totaled 19 strikeouts of Houston batters but it didn't matter because the offense did little and Lennon gave up a 3-run homer in the first.

Game 2: 3-0 W. WP-Little (3-2). S-R.Rodriguez (29). Starter-Oviedo (2.2 3 0 0 1 5). HR-Pino (11/32), Y.Alvarez (18). Five Rays pitching combined on a six-hit shutout including 3 1/3 scoreless from Little after Oviedo had to leave in the 3rd with what turned out to be a torn flexor tendon, so his season is over. Pino was 2-3 with a double, homer and 2 RBI while Yordan was 3-3 with his homer for the day's offense.

Transaction: Oviedo goes on the 60-day IL and Danny Fragoso is recalled once again from Durham to take his place in the rotation. Oviedo ends his season 10-3, 2.73 with 93 whiffs in 89 IP and will be missed.

Game 3: 4-3 W. WP-Buckman (7-2, 5.1 2 0 0 4 5). S-R.Rodriguez (30). HR-Y.Alvarez (19). Another big game from Yordan (3-4 with a homer and RBI single) as they built a 4-0 lead then barely held on with R-Rod striking out the side in the 9th after Luis Gonzalez gave up a solo homer to lead off the inning.

Team record: 69-46. The Yankees also took 2 of 3 so we remain 1/2 game behind them but now 6 ahead of Detroit for WC1. Next up: 52-63 Colorado comes to town for 3 games.

August 12-14, 2033: vs Colorado (3)
 

Game 1: 7-5 W. WP-Boyle (2-0). S-Ogando (7). Starter-Stone (5.1 7 5 5 1 7). HR-K.White (4/35), Hardy (21). Hardy's 2-run homer in the 6th capped a 3-run rally and put them up for good at 6-5 while Solano delivered a couple of RBI doubles. The Rays overcame Stone's third straight lousy start and fourth in his last five.

Game 2: I'll let the box score do most of the talking as this was a historic night:

https://i.imgur.com/ud0fpX1.png

In this rout which saw the Rays score in all but one inning they did something I've not seen in any of my saves (at least that I recall) and perhaps something never done in MLB history: have teammates hit 3 homers in the same game. Yordan and Haro both did it today as part of an 8-homer attack and overshadowing great games from Cedillo (4-5 with a HR and 3 RBI) and Acosta (7 strong innings including 12 Ks, his best start in the last several).

Game 3: 5-3 W. WP-Ogando (2-4). S-R.Rodriguez (31). Starter-Fragoso (5.2 7 3 3 0 5). HR-K.White (5/36), Y.Alvarez (23). C.Williams' pinch-hit RBI single in the 8th was the winning hit as the Rays completed the sweep with yet another homer from Yordan.

Team record: 72-46. The Yankees lost one of their three games enabling the Rays to move back into first by 1/2 game. Next up: A day off to travel to Toronto where we'll play 3 at Rogers Centre.

The league took note of Yordan:

https://i.imgur.com/fUA6bMU.png

Also some milestones around the league as Yunior Severino and Daulton Varsho each hit career homer #300 and former Ray Ozzie Albies banged out his 2000th hit.

August 16-18, 2033: at Toronto (3)
 

Game 1: 5-1 W. WP-Lennon (11-5, 6.1 4 0 0 1 8). Lennon was brilliant and Haro drove in 3 with a pair of singles as the Rays made it 6 straight wins by taking the opener in Toronto.

Game 2: 15-7 W. WP-Buckman (8-2, 6 7 3 3 1 5). HR-Hardy 2 (23), Solano (9). Massive games from Hardy and Solano with both driving 5 on 3 hits, 2 of which were homers for Hardy while Solano counted a double and a homer among his. With a massive lead the hapless Watters and Green gave up 4 runs in the last couple innings to make it a football score.

Game 3: 10-5 W. WP-Little (4-2). Starter-Stone (5 4 2 2 1 9). HR-Pino (13/34). The Rays completed the sweep and extended their win streak to 8, but it took an 8-run rally in the 9th to overturn a 5-2 Toronto lead. There was no one big hit in the rally as 7 different players drove in runs, two of which early in the inning were on bases-loaded walks, the ultimate death by a thousand cuts. Pino's 2-run homer gave them their early runs.

Team record: 75-46. The Yankees lost one of their games so the division lead is up to 1 1/2. Next up: The road trip continues in Philly, who are a pretty good 68-53.

August 19-21, 2033: at Philadelphia (3)
 

Game 1: 7-9 L. LP-Stevenson (7-3). Starter-Acosta (3.1 7 5 5 0 1). HR-Lowe (1), Hardy (24), Pino (14/35). A strange game as the Rays answered a 4-spot in the 1st from Philly with a 7-run 2nd on three homers, only for the offense to dry up after that and the Phillies to come back and win.

Game 2: 10-1 W. WP-Fragoso (4-4, 5.2 6 1 1 1 3). HR-K.White 2 (7/38), Hardy (25), Solano (10). Rays coasted to this one with White's biggest game as a Ray, homering twice and knocking in five.

Game 3: 5-8 L. LP-Little (4-3). Starter-Lennon (4.2 9 3 3 2 3). HR-Pino 2 (16/37), Hardy (26). An early 3-0 Rays lead was eroded with Little giving up a grand slam in the 6th to Philly rookie sensation Julio Arriaga to lose it. Arriaga was 5-5 with 2 HR and 6 RBI on the day and is hitting 303/357/644 with 31 HR. He outshone Pino, who hit a pair of 2-run homers while Hardy homered for the third straight day against his original team.

Team record: 76-48. The Yankees also lost 2 of 3 over the weekend but won their game Monday while the Rays were off to pull within a game. Next up: 3 in Houston after that off-day against a sorry 42-82 Astros team, the worst in baseball.

Some league love for Hardy:

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

MLB News: San Diego veteran superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. had a 4-homer game against Arizona, driving in 6 runs.

August 23-25, 2033: at Houston (3)
 

Game 1: 11-10 W. WP-Buckman (9-2, 5.1 8 5 5 1 5). S-R.Rodriguez (32). HR-Pino (17/38), Y.Alvarez (24). A wild one that saw Buckman put the Rays in a 5-0 hole after 1 only for his mates to put 9 on the board in the 4th (including a 465-foot, 3-run shot from Pino) before nearly blowing an 11-5 lead. Tampa Bay was the beneficiary of 11 walks issued by Houston pitching.

Game 2: 4-3 W. WP-Vargas (6-1). S-R.Rodriguez (33). Starter-Stone (4.2 6 3 3 2 3). HR-Y.Alvarez (25), Rutschman (19). Yordan had a 3-run homer as he stayed blazing hot and Rutschman's 6th-inning clout broke a 3-3 tie.

Game 3: 2-6 L. LP-Boyle (2-1). Starter-Acosta (4.2 3 2 2 3 3). HR-Cedillos (7). It was a 2-2 game in the 8th and one the Rays should have been leading having left 12 on base before Boyle loaded the bases and Ogando came in and gave up a grand slam to lose it.

Team record: 78-49. The lead on the Yankees stands at 1 1/2 games. Next up: Off to St. Louis for 3 against the 72-55 and NL Central-leading Cardinals.

August 26-28, 2033: at St. Louis (3)
 

Game 1: 4-0 W. WP-Fragoso (5-4, 7 2 0 0 4 4). HR-K.White (8/39). The 23-year-old Cuban rookie had his best MLB start and Solano had a key 2-run single in a 3-run 6th that opened things up for the Rays.

Game 2: 5-0 W. WP-Lennon (12-5, 6.1 6 0 0 1 5). S-R.Rodriguez (34). Another shutout for Tampa Bay pitching headed by Lennon and finished by R-Rod, who got the final out after Stevenson loaded the bases in the 9th. A 3-run 4th was key thanks to consecutive 2-out RBI singles from Hardy, Yordan and Haro.

Game 3: 3-1 W. WP-Buckman (10-2, 5 7 1 1 2 4). S-R.Rodriguez (35). HR-Y.Alvarez (26), Rutschman (20). The Rays completed the sweep with another well-pitched game, allowing only one run in the three-game set. Buckman was in trouble during most of his time on the mound but the bullpen was incredible, putting up a combined 4 1 0 0 0 10 line that included a 4-strikeout 8th from Boyle after a passed ball on strike 3. Back-to-back jacks from Yordan and Rutschman in the 4th erased a 1-0 Cardinals lead and the staff made them stand up.

Team record: 81-49. The Yankees lost their series finale so the lead is up to 2 1/2 games. Next up: A massive 4-game set at home against those very New Yorkers. Unfortunately Rutschman is going to miss the series with back spasms which came on later in the final game.

August 29-September 1, 2033: vs NY Yankees (4)
 

Game 1: 2-4 L. LP-L.Gonzalez (2-2). Starter-Stone (5.2 1 0 0 4 6). Rays led 2-0 after 6 in this one before New York got 3 off the Rays bullpen and added a 4th in the 9th, not that the bats did much either.

Game 2: 8-4 W. WP-Acosta (5-5, 6 5 2 2 0 7). HR-K.White (9/40), Haro (20). Rays led this one 8-0 after 3 with 2-run homers from White and Haro the big blows. Acosta meanwhile pitched his best game in a while.

Game 3: 4-3 W. WP-R.Rodriguez (4-2). Starter-Fragoso (4.1 5 2 2 2 2). HR-K.White (10/41). White to the rescue as after his homer gave the Rays a 3-2 lead in the 7th which R-Rod blew in the 9th, he delivered an RBI double in the bottom of the 9th to walk it off. It was a costly win for the Rays though as Haro broke a thumb and will be out 6 weeks - his big bat will be missed.

Transactions: Haro goes on the IL and could be back for the ALCS if we make it that far. Evan Bell, who filled in admirably for an injured Yordan earlier this season, gets the call and will play 1B against RHP with Kevin White moving to 1B against LHP and Carson Williams taking over at 3B. Also it was time for September roster expansion so IF Josh Jones and rookie P Alex Salazar are called up. Salazar was an 8th-round pick in 2028 who worked his way up and had a 3.71 ERA in 111 IP with Durham as a starter but will pitch in relief.

Game 4: 7-8 L. LP-R.Rodriguez (4-3). Starter-Lennon (6 6 3 3 2 8). HR-Y.Alvarez (27), K.White (11/42), Gurrola (2). This one hurt. Up 5-1 after 6 and 7-3 after 7, the bullpen struggled yet again in this series with Ogando giving up 2 in the 8th and R-Rod imploding in the 9th, giving up a homer then a 2-run double with 2 out to lose it, wasting a trio of 2-run homers from the guys listed above. As a result the Rays blew a chance to go 4 1/2 up on New York and instead stay at 2 1/2 ahead, where they came into the series and with 4 days off the calendar, but it could have been much more.

Team record: 83-51. Next up: A trip to Texas for 3 games.

September 2-4, 2033: at Texas (3)
 

Game 1: 2-4 L. LP-Buckman (10-3, 4 6 3 3 1 3). HR-Pino (18/39), Hardy (27). Texas scored 3 times in the 2nd and that was enough to earn them the victory in the series opener.

Game 2: 8-6 W. WP-Salazar (1-0). S-R.Rodriguez (36). Starter-Stone (3 8 6 6 2 3, 4 HR). HR-Y.Alvarez (28), K.White (12/43), Rutschman (21), Hardy (28). A wild and strange game which saw Texas go up 6-2 after 2 thanks to Stone giving up 4 homers but the ball was flying out of the park for both teams as Yordan, White and Rutschman homered in the 3rd to tie it, the Rays went ahead in the 4th and the score stood there until Hardy added an insurance blast in the 9th. Salazar earned the win in relief of Stone in his MLB debut as the bullpen turned in 6 scoreless to preserve te lead.

Game 3: 1-0 W. WP-Acosta (6-5, 5.1 5 0 0 1 7). S-Ogando (8). Bell's 2nd-inning RBI single held up thanks to a great start from Acosta and another stellar day for the bullpen which held Texas hitless over the final 3 2/3 innings to give the Rays a series win.

Team record: 85-52. The Yankees also took 2 of 3 to stay 2 1/2 back of the Rays, but the Tampa Bay magic number is down to 23. Next up: An off-day then the road trip continues with 3 in Oakland.

September 6-8, 2033: at Oakland (3)
 

Game 1: 0-6 L. LP-Lennon (12-6, 4 10 6 6 1 8). Oakland's Julio Sarabia shut the Rays out on 4 hits while Lennon took a beating despite piling up the whiffs.

Game 2: 5-1 W. WP-Buckman (11-3, 5 5 0 0 1 5). HR-K.White (13/44). Rutschman's 2-run single and White's 2-run homer were the big hits as Buckman and five relievers combined on a well-pitched game.

Game 3: 2-3 L. LP-Stone (6-8, 5.1 6 3 1 1 5). HR-Bell (7). A costly error from White led to 2 unearned runs off Stone (although Stone gave up a homer that accounted for them) while the bats were mostly quiet as the Rays lost their first series in the last five.

Team record: 86-54. The good news is that the Yankees also dropped 2 of 3, so the division lead of 2 1/2 is maintained and the magic number drops to 20. Next up: The western road trip concludes with 3 in Anaheim against the Angels.

MLB News: A couple of milestones. In this alternate universe former Ray Austin Meadows continued his career rather than ending it due to personal issues and hit career homer #400 while with the Phillies. Also Mets OF Zac Veen deposited his 300th baseball into the stands.

September 9-11, 2033: at LA Angels (3)
 

Game 1: 8-6 W. WP-Boyle (3-1). S-R.Rodriguez (37). Starter-Acosta (1.1 4 5 5 1 4). Rays lost leads of 5-0 and 6-5 but the third time was the charm as Rutschman's 2-run double in the 8th won it.

Game 2: 3-1 W. WP-Stevenson (8-3). S-R.Rodriguez (38). Starter-Fragoso (5.2 3 1 1 2 6). HR-Hardy (29). Fragoso was excellent and RBI singles from Cedillos and Pino in the 7th made the difference.

Game 3: 0-3 L. LP-Lennon (12-7, 5 4 3 3 3 2). Lennon was hit for 3 runs in the first and it turned out that would be the extent of the scoring in the game as Rays bats managed only 3 hits.

Team record: 88-55. Big news in the division as the Yankees were swept in Detroit, putting the Rays 4 1/2 up and reducing their magic number to 15. The Rays also officially clinched a playoff spot but the division is paramount.

September 13-15, 2033: vs Boston (3)
 

Game 1: 2-4 L (11). LP-Ogando (2-5). Starter-Buckman (6.1 5 2 2 3 7). Rays rallied to tie the game in the 8th but lost in the 11th when Ogando served up a 2-run homer. Worse yet Rutschman was lost for 2 weeks with hamstring tendonitis.

Transaction: Rutschman goes on the IL and Cade Arrambide is back up as the backup catcher.

Game 2: 4-2 W. WP-R.Rodriguez (5-3). Starter-Stone (6.1 7 1 1 0 7). HR-Pino (19/40), K.White (14/45). R-Rod blew the save by giving up a leadoff homer in the 9th but White came to the rescue with a 2-run walk-off shot in the bottom of the inning.

Game 3: 5-4 W (14). WP-Stevenson (9-3). Starter-Acosta (5.1 6 3 3 1 8). HR-Gurrola (3), Pino (20/41). Rays appeared to be dead in the water in this one, trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the 9th with two out and a man on. But Gurrola homered off former Ray Bryce Eldridge to get them within one, and Solano and Pino followed with doubles to tie the game. And five innings later Pino was the hero again, belting a oppo walk-off shot which just cleared the RF fence.

Team record: 90-56. It was important that the Rays pulled out the finale as the Yankees swept their series with Toronto and moved within 3 1/2 games. Next up: Off to Baltimore for 3 games.

MLB News: Although the Jays were swept in New York there was a big moment for them as their legendary superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 600th career homer.

September 16-18, 2033: at Baltimore (3)
 

Game 1: 3-4 L. LP-R.Rodriguez (5-4). Starter-Fragoso (6 5 2 2 1 5). HR-Gurrola (4), Bell (8), Y.Alvarez (29). A tough loss as they took a 3-2 lead into the 8th only to give up a run (with the hapless Max Green giving up the tying hit) and then R-Rod surrendered a leadoff triple in the 9th followed by a walk-off single.

Game 2: 10-0 W. WP-Lennon (13-7, 6 4 0 0 1 9). S-A.Salazar (1). HR-Pino (21/42), Y.Alvarez (30), K.White (15/46). Neither tough nor a loss as the Rays routed Baltimore. Lennon was outstanding and Salazar got his first major league save by going 3 to complete the shutout. Solano was 4-5 with a steal and RBI and Pino, Yordan and White each hit 2-run homers.

Game 3: 11-4 W. WP-Little (5-3). Starter-Buckman (4 7 4 4 0 4). HR-Bell (9), Hardy (30), Solano (11), K.White (16/47). Although the final score made it look like a romp this was a heavy lift for the Rays as Buckman put them behind 4-1 early before Bell's 3-run homer tied it up. Solo shots from Hardy and Solano in the 6th and 7th made it 6-4, and then finally a 5-run 9th capped by White's slam put it away. Little's 3 scoreless in relief earned him the win.

Team record: 92-57. Not only did the Rays take 2 of 3 in Baltimore but the Yankees were swept by arch-rival Boston, so that pretty much ends the division race as New York drops 5 1/2 games back and the magic number is down to 8.

Rays news: Veteran reliever Camilo Doval, who tore his labrum late last season and whom we signed to a 2-year deal to pitch next year, had a further setback with the injury and decided to retire.

September 20-22, 2033: at San Antonio (3)
 

Game 1: 16-1 W. WP-Stone (7-8, 7 4 1 1 1 6). HR-K.White (17/48), Pino (22/43). A ridiculous game with Pino driving in 5, White 3, and Gurrola going 3-5 with a double, triple, RBI and 4 runs scored.

Game 2: 6-3 W (12). WP-L.Gonzalez (3-2). Starter-Acosta (5 6 3 3 0 10). HR-Pino (23/44), J.Lowe (2). Jalen Lowe's 3-run homer in the 12th won it as the rookie catcher has performed admirably in Rutschman's absence, hitting 333/373/507 after a 3-5 day today.

Game 3: 1-7 L. LP-Fragoso (5-5, 2.1 8 4 4 0 1). HR-Bell (10). They were due for a stinker, and stink they did managing only two hits.

Team record: 94-58. With the Yankees losing a game the magic number to clinch the division is down to five. Next up: The road trip concludes with 3 games in Cincinnati.

September 23-25, 2033: at Cincinnati (3)
 

Game 1: 4-3 W. WP-Lennon (14-7, 6 9 2 2 0 9). S-R.Rodriguez (39). HR-J.Lowe (3), Cedillos (8). Solo homers from Lowe and Cedillos in the 7th broke a 2-2 tie in the Rays' favor.

Game 2: 0-2 L. LP-Buckman (11-4, 4.1 5 2 2 0 4). Rays did manage 8 hits but couldn't string them together at the right time and took the loss. Buckman herniated a disc so his regular season is over but he should be available for the playoffs.

Game 3: 2-3 L. LP-Stone (7-9, 6 6 3 3 0 5). HR-Gurrola (5). Stone gave up a 2-run homer in the 6th to lose it as the Rays struggled again to score runs.

Team record: 95-60. The magic number is down to 2. Next up: We play the final week of the regular season at home starting with 4 against Boston.

Pennant Race Update: The White Sox and Mariners have already clinched the AL Central and West, the Yankees and Tigers have already clinched wild cards, and Kansas City has all but nabbed the third. The real race is for the two byes in the AL - Chicago is 96-59, Seattle 96-60 and the Rays 95-60 so it can go in any direction. In the NL the Dodgers have clinched the West while the Mets and Cardinals lead their divisions by a solid 3 and 3 1/2 games respectively, and all the wild cards are coming out of the East with Philly, Atlanta and Washington all but clinched.

September 26-29, 2033: vs Boston (4)
 

Game 1: 3-5 L (12). LP-Little (5-4). Starter-Acosta (6 4 2 2 0 9). HR-Hardy (31). R-Rod blew the save in the 9th and the Rays lost in the 12th, spoiling a good start from Acosta and a good game from Hardy (3-5, HR, 2 RBI).

Game 2: 3-2 W. WP-Boyle (4-1). Starter-Fragoso (7 6 2 2 0 6). The Rays need 15 hits to score three runs, leaving 13 on base and hitting into 4 double plays, but Evan Bell's third hit of the game in the 9th was an RBI single to walk it off. Pino was 4-4 with a ribbie. With the win the Rays also officially clinched the AL East.

Game 3: 2-1 W. WP-Boyle (5-1). S-R.Rodriguez (40). Starter-Lennon (5.1 4 1 1 0 8). Solano's RBI single in the 7th broke a 1-1 tie meaning Lennon's brilliant outing wouldn't go to waste.

Game 4: 11-6 W. WP-Stone (8-9, 5 3 2 2 0 9). HR-Solano (12), Pino (24/45). After a couple of low-scoring games it was slugfest time as Solano knocked in 4 including a big 3-run homer to give the Rays a 6-2 lead, and Pino was 2-3 with 2 walks, the homer and 3 RBI.

Team record: 98-61. Although the division is in hand there's still a lot to play for this final weekend against Baltimore as Chicago is 100-59 and the Tampa Bay and Seattle are both 98-61. Chicago should wrap up one of the byes so that leaves the Rays and Mariners fighting over the other. As for the tiebreaker, they're 3-3 head-to-head so we have to turn to divisional records where the Rays are 31-22 Baltimore while Seattle is 35-18 they're going to have to better Seattle's results against Oakland. This means the Rays also have to balance who they start over the final weekend as if they come up short they won't have the Sunday starter (and probably the Saturday starter unless it goes 3 games) available for a wild card series.

MLB Playoff Race Update: The only suspense left in either league as to making the postseason is in the NL Central where St. Louis leads Cincinnati by 2 games and the teams play head-to-head this final weekend, meaning the Reds have to sweep. Otherwise the Rays-Mariners fight for a bye is about it.

Durham Update: The Bulls made the IL playoffs as a wild card but are down 0-2 after the losing both games in Iowa to start the best-of-7 series.

September 30-October 2, 2033: vs Baltimore (3)
 

Game 1: 4-1 W. WP-Acosta (7-5, 5 2 0 0 0 6). HR-Y.Alvarez (31). Acosta was excellent and Rays pitching took a shutout into the 9th. They were backed by Yordan, who doubled in a run and hit a solo homer, and Pino, who delivered a 2-run double.

Game 2: 10-6 W. WP-Ogando (3-5). S-R.Rodriguez (41). Starter-Fragoso (3.2 4 2 2 1 5). HR-Hardy (32), Pino (25/46), Rutschman (22). Rays broke a 5-5 tie in the 8th with a 5-run inning featuring a bases-loaded walk to Yordan followed by a Rutschman grand slam. Hardy was 4-4 with a solo homer and Pino 3-5 with his 2-run shot. The victory put the Rays one win away from clinching a bye.

Game 3: 8-2 W. WP-Vargas (7-1). Starter-Salazar (4 4 1 1 1 5). HR-Gurrola (6), K.White (18/49), Y.Alvarez (32), Cedillos (9). Lennon was held back for the playoffs in favor of a bullpen day and the gamble paid off thanks to 4 strong innings from Salazar, the bullpen, and a 4th inning which saw Gurrola, White and Yordan homer (the latter two back-to-back). As a result the Rays clinched the 2nd AL bye and will not have to play in the wild card series (Seattle ended up losing today so in the end it didn't matter, but still).

Final Regular Season Record: 101-61. Next up: the ALDS against either WC3 Kansas City or D3 Seattle.

Durham Update: The Bulls bounced back to win Games 3 and 4 at home against Iowa (Game 4 with 2 runs in the 9th to walk it off), so their first-round best-of-7 series is tied at 2 games apiece.

MLB News: Philly's Emerson Hancock pitched a no-hitter against the Mets on the season's final day, fanning 11, walking none and losing a perfect game on a hit batter, all on 115 pitches. The Cardinals also clinched the NL Central by beating Cincinnati in the first of their 3-game set.

Final 2033 Regular Season Standings and Rays Stats
 

https://i.imgur.com/A3YarHX.png

https://i.imgur.com/4kORxrL.png

The offense really came on in the second half and with the additions of Pino and White it's become one of the league's best. We're still a terrible baserunning team despite all the steals (check out some of the CS numbers coming up in the next graphic). The pitching was fine as always but the defense was subpar although not horrible.

https://i.imgur.com/3E6w8UD.png

Also really coming on in the second half was Hardy, who had his best MLB season after dropping off from a good 2031 last years. Pino's numbers above of course are only with the Rays, he earned 7.1 on the season in total. Gurrola was a definite spark after being recalled while White was something of a disappointment after being acquired, hitting for power but not much else.

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

We had to constantly rebuild the rotation on the fly due to injuries but it ended up one of the league's best anyway. Lennon is a strong contender for Rookie of the Year and might get a few Cy votes. Meanwhile a sneaky-good season from Vargas in middle relief and his surface numbers would have been even better had he not suffered from one of the worst BABIPs on the team. The less said about Green and Watters the better though.

https://i.imgur.com/PcB6PnZ.png

Overall the farm system looks pretty dire and it could present some longer-term issues. But it did produce three positive contributors to the current squad, especially Gurrola while Lowe and Salazar were outstanding in limited action. Keep an eye on Arroyo, our first-round pick this year who held his own in high-A.