‘Team Baseball’ Fueling Tampa Bay Rays’ Hot Start; More $10 Tickets Available

Kevin Cash said after Wednesday afternoon’s win at Washington that for a team to win its first six games contributions need come from the entire roster.

The 10th-year Rays manager is indeed getting those contributions. It is not so much, however, that Tampa Bay is 6-0 heading into a weekend series against the Oakland A’s at Tropicana Field. Rather, all three phases have clicked exceptionally well while outscoring the opposition by an eye-opening 44-13.

“We should be very pleased with the way that we have played,” said Cash. “The consistency defensively, on the mound, at the plate (has been outstanding).”

The Rays’ sizzling start has made a mark on the record book. One must go back to 1884 when the St. Louis Maroons were the last club to win their first six games with each victory by at least four runs. The Maroons won their first 13 games in such fashion and, overall, won their first 20 games.

Given Oakland’s continued struggles — and an opponent that prompted the availability of “thousands” of additional $10 tickets at Tropicana Field on a weekend— it would not come as a surprise if the Rays went into Monday night’s series opener against visiting Boston 9-0. The Red Sox were swept at home by the Pirates this week.

For long-term success through the 162-game grind, though, all cylinders must be contributing to the cause.

“The lineup, the way it has worked out the first six games, it does feel like whoever is in there is contributing,” said Cash.

Underscoring that is the fact five Rays have at least five RBI through six games. On the mound, starters Shane McClanahan, Zach Eflin, Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen have combined to allow only three runs in 29 innings over five starts. Josh Fleming’s start against the Nats on Monday night (5 ER, 3 IP) is the lone blemish. The staff ERA overall is 2.00.

There has also been a defensive gem each game, including right fielder Manny Margot making a couple of run-saving highlight catches so far this season.

McClanahan may not have been at his best against the Nationals on Wednesday. However, he escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the fourth and yielded two runs in six innings to pick up his second win. Meanwhile, the offense piled up seven runs.

“This offense gives us a chance to win games when you don’t have the best stuff, or you don’t necessarily feel the best, or make the best pitches,” said the 25-year-old southpaw. “Having these guys behind you and having your back means the world.”

Cash is particularly impressed with the consistent quality of his team’s at-bats. The Rays have been giving away very little at the plate while taking advantage of seemingly every mistake by an opposing pitcher.

“Our approach at the plate has really stood out,” he said. “Just feels like we are making real good decisions. That was harped on throughout spring training, guys getting themselves in good counts and when they get them, they are doing some damage.”

Those good decisions are paying off for a team that is hitting .284 with 13 homers. Wander Franco is off to a fantastic start batting .417 with a pair of homers and seven RBI. Jose Siri has a team-high eight RBI and Yandy Diaz has a .455 on-base percentage while scoring a team-best eight runs. Randy Arozarena has banged out four extra-base hits while turning in a couple of exceptional plays in left field.

Then there are Luke Raley and Josh Lowe. The former went 1-for-7 in the season-opening series against Detroit, then hit three homers in two games against the Nats. His leadoff homer in the ninth inning of Tuesday night’s game tied the score at six and opened the door for a five-run inning in a 10-6 win. Lowe, the next batter, went deep for the decisive run. Four of his six hits (14 at-bats) are for extra bases.

“It’s team baseball,” said McClanahan. “No matter the situation, no matter the count, it’s team baseball.”

True, the victims to this point have been the rebuilding Tigers and a Nationals club that is a shadow of the 2019 World Series winners. Still, the job needs to get done and the Rays are getting it done. They are also building early momentum, which could serve them well as the schedule progresses and gets tougher.

“We have a great group,” said Franco, through interpreter Manny Navarro following Wednesday’s game. “I think we can go very far with this group and as long as we keep getting better, we can do great things.”

How great, of course, remains to be seen. At least early on, it has been pretty impressive.