The Tampa Bay Rays came into September with plenty to chase, but Monday night didn’t move the needle much. A 3-2 loss to the New York Mets in the opener of their three-game set left Tampa Bay still sitting on a magic number of 12 to clinch a playoff spot.
That number also stayed put because the Colorado Rockies couldn’t provide any help, after a potential game-winning home run was robbed by the Baltimore Orioles.
Even with the setback, the Rays still remain in a strong position after another season that has turned them into one of baseball’s biggest surprises. With one of the best records in the sport, they’re still very much in the mix not just for the American League East, but for the whole league.
The opener itself was frustrating for Tampa Bay because the bats never really found a rhythm. Ian Seymour gave them a chance, though, turning in a strong outing over 6.1 innings.
Now the focus shifts quickly to Game 2, where the Rays will try to answer back against a Mets club that has underwhelmed this year but managed to spoil Tampa Bay’s night on Monday.
Freddy Peralta gets the ball next for Tampa Bay. The Rays acquired him from the Mets at the trade deadline, and while his season has been uneven overall, he just turned in his best start since arriving. Against the Detroit Tigers in his last outing, he worked six scoreless innings and gave up only two hits.
Peralta has had his share of rough outings this season, but he’s also shown flashes of the 2025 version of himself. September gives him a fresh runway, and he’ll be trying to build momentum as he goes.
There’s also more than just team results tied to how he finishes. Peralta is headed for free agency after the season, so the stretch run could carry real financial weight for him.
And for Tampa Bay, the path is still right there. If the Rays win Tuesday and the Orioles lose, their magic number would drop to 10.
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Mets Just Took A Flier On A Pitcher With Little Margin For Error
The Mets made a small roster shuffle this week, designating catcher Shawn Ross for assignment and claiming right-hander Cameron Weston off waivers from the Orioles. Weston was sent to Triple-A Syracuse, giving New York another arm to evaluate while it continues to juggle the 40-man roster and sort through depth options.
Weston arrives with some uneven recent results, including a high ERA at Triple-A, though he looked better in Double-A and gives the organization a chance to see whether theres more here than the numbers suggest. Ross, meanwhile, had been hitting .195 at Syracuse, so the move also reflects the Mets desire to keep turning over the edges of the roster in search of a more useful fit. [Read more 🡒]