All Three Phases Click For Tampa Bay Rays During Successful Homestand

The Tampa Bay Rays were four games under .500 when they returned home from Miami on May 18, right where they were when they embarked on a two-city, six-game trip that began in Toronto. In other words, they broke even on the road. Job well done. However, home had not been sweet. In fact, they headed into their May 19 game against the Astros 11-17 at Steinbrenner Field. A loss that evening made it 11-18.

The Rays have since been on a nice little run winning seven of eight to conclude a nine-game homestand 7-2, including a 5-0 win over the Twins on Wednesday afternoon to get on the winning side (28-27) of .500. They outscored the opposition 47-18 during the homestand and, not surprisingly, all three phases – pitching, defense, offense – clicked.

“We have a very good team here and some of our play early on was not representative of what we can do,” said second baseman Brandon Lowe, who extended his hit streak to 11 games in the aforementioned win over Minnesota, one shy of his career best from 2019. “I think that we’re really showing what we can do right now.”

They are and it begins with stifling the opposition.

Rotation on a roll

The Twins’ Trevor Larnach led off Wednesday’s game by drilling a single to right. That was the only hit off Drew Rasmussen, who threw 74 pitches in six shutout innings and did not permit a runner to reach third. It marked the third straight game the righthander kept the opposition off the board in six innings of work. The outing capped a homestand in which Rays’ starting pitchers recorded a combined 0.95 ERA (38 IP, 4 ER) over the final six games.

“We knew the rotation was going to be really good,” said Zack Littell, who has walked two batters in his last five starts totaling 32 innings. “Obviously, without Shane (McClanahan), it’s taken a little bit of a hit, but I don’t think anybody doubted the potential of the five guys that we do have.”

Littell was referring to two-time all-star Shane McClanahan, who has not pitched since August 2023 when he was sidelined with an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery and has missed this season due to a triceps-related injury that occurred late in spring training.

Like hitting, pitching can be contagious.

“The tone is set by the starting pitchers and I think the bullpen feeds off of it,” said Rasmussen, whose workload is being monitored after returning late last season from a third elbow procedure. “If we can go out and do our job well and keep us in the game, then our bullpen, which is unbelievable, gives us a great chance to win.”

That’s exactly what is happening. The defense has been doing its part as well.

Making the plays, and then some

Pick a position and the defense has often been spectacular while, more importantly, making the plays that are expected to be made. It adds up to a team that has made only 22 errors in its first 55 games and leads the American League in fielding percentage. Worth noting is that a few players in their first full season have been making mighty contributions with the glove. That includes third baseman Junior Caminero, who seems to snag one sharp grounder after another while having improved his throws across the diamond.

“I have been working really hard with Brady and also working really hard with B.K. on my agility,” said the 21-year-old, crediting third base coach Brady Williams and strength and conditioning coach Bryan King. “They have been helping me a lot, so credit goes to them. It has been showing in the field.”

Kameron Misner had a brief (eight games) taste of the big leagues with the Rays last season. Injuries opened the door for the 27-year-old to become a mainstay in the outfield since Opening Day, and particularly in center field where he made his 28^th start Wednesday. Frankly, Misner has been outstanding and with a knack for highlight-reel plays thanks to quick breaks on balls. His ability to both backpedal and race in to make a play has also been on display.

“He has really come on as he has gained more confidence just being in the big leagues,” said manager Kevin Cash. “I remember when he was in center field early (this season) he was hesitant in really taking charge like center fielders do. With every game, every rep out there he has gained a lot of confidence. He has become a ball hog. The jumps and reads have been elite whether it is going back on a ball, going side to side or coming in.”

Caminero, Misner and several others, including Lowe, shortstop Taylor Walls and Jose Caballero, who has expanded his resume this season, have contributed to the aforementioned fielding percentage.

Offensive surge

There was not much taking place offensively through the first quarter or so of the season, especially with runners in scoring position. Of late, though, the Rays have created opportunities along with putting the ball over the fence.

Lowe has unquestionably swung the hottest bat in the Tampa Bay lineup. Not only has he hit safely in 11 straight and 14 of 15, but is hitting .393 with six of his 11 homers and a 1.219 OPS over the latter stretch. His home run leading off the fourth inning opened the scoring Wednesday, a good omen considering the Rays are 17-6 when scoring first. More importantly, they scored a lot of early runs during the homestand.

“I think more than anything, it just kind of lets everybody relax,” Lowe said of taking an early lead. “You have the lead, keep taking good at-bats and you are not trying make up any ground. It makes it a lot easier on the guys.”

The Rays have been making things easier on themselves. While they are not a team that is going to often pile up the runs, they are a formidable club when scoring at least five runs. Indeed, they are 17-1 in such games.

“We know the kind of team that we are capable of being, and that’s what we’re showing right now,” said first baseman Jonathan Aranda, who was scorching hot in April and continues to do his part hitting .315, good for sixth in the American League while also driving in 30 runs to Lowe for team leadership. “So, we’re playing with a lot of confidence.”