Jonathan Aranda keeps making a case that he belongs in the center of the Rays’ offense, even if he doesn’t always get the spotlight.
That was on display again in the four-game set against the Texas Rangers, where Tampa Bay got a reminder of how dangerous the lineup looks when Aranda is doing damage. The biggest swing came Saturday night, after the Rays had already coughed up a two-run lead in the eighth inning and headed into extra innings in a ballpark where they haven’t had much success over the last few years.
Tampa Bay needed a jolt, and Aranda supplied it. The left-handed hitter hammered a three-run homer in the top of the 10th inning to put the Rays ahead 6-3 and help them grab another big win in Arlington.
It was the latest example of what Aranda has quietly become for this group. He may not draw the same buzz as Junior Caminero, who is putting together an MVP-level season, or Yandy Díaz, who continues to be Yandy Díaz, but Aranda’s impact keeps showing up in the biggest spots. Chandler Simpson’s late-season surge has also grabbed attention, yet Aranda remains one of the most important bats in the mix.
That’s why he still feels like one of the more overlooked names on this roster, and why his absence from this season’s MLB All-Star Game looked like a snub.
The bigger picture for Tampa Bay is offensive consistency, especially with October getting closer. One of the main concerns around this team has been whether the lineup can hold up when the pitching gives it a chance to win. Too often, the offense has gone quiet while the staff does enough to keep games within reach.
The trip to Texas looked different, though. The Rays scored at least six runs in each of the final three games of the series.
Even in Sunday’s 8-6 loss, they still managed 10 hits, four walks, and a 4-for-11 mark with runners in scoring position. The offense wasn’t the reason they lost that one.
That matters if you trust this pitching staff the way most people do entering the final month of the season. But three games in Texas don’t wipe away every question about what this lineup will look like in October. Tampa Bay still has to produce like that night after night.
If it doesn’t, the risk is obvious. The Rays could get bounced from the playoffs the same way they were in 2023 by those same Rangers.
For now, though, Aranda keeps forcing his way into the conversation, and Yandy Díaz remains one of the most dependable hitters on the team.
In Other News...
Rays Suddenly Have A Catching Decision That Could Matter To Miami
The Rays have put themselves in a much better spot behind the plate in a hurry, and Caden Bodine is a big reason why. The prospect has moved through four minor league levels in one season, flashing both the kind of bat and defensive skill set Tampa Bay has long needed from its catchers. For a franchise that has too often had to patch together offense at the position, that kind of rapid rise is notable on its own.
Add in the arrival of Liam Hicks in a trade, and suddenly the Rays have real depth and a decision to make as they look toward the next few seasons. It is the kind of competition that can help a club, especially one that has spent years trying to get more production from its catching group, and it also gives Tampa Bay another layer to consider as the season turns toward the stretch run and the wider implications around the division, including Miami, come into view. [Read more 🡒]
Garrett Cleavingers Slide Leaves Rays Watching One Small Detail
Garrett Cleavingers season has followed a familiar reliever arc for long stretches, but the August break in performance has been hard to miss. His ERA and FIP climbed sharply after a strong first half, even though the underlying shape of his delivery and his command metrics have stayed largely intact, leaving the Rays to sort through why the results suddenly turned south.
One answer seems to be hiding in the margins of where his fastball has lived. The pitch has drifted from its usual glove-side lane toward the arm side, and a higher BABIP has only made the damage look worse. If Tampa Bay can get the catchers setup nudged back into a better spot, theres hope Cleavinger can rediscover the fastball location that made him so effective earlier in the year. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Judges Return Creates A New Problem Rays Fans Should Watch
Aaron Judge is back on the Yankees roster after being activated from the injured list, and his return matters well beyond New York. The slugger has not been in the lineup since May 31, and the Yankees are easing him back into action rather than throwing him right into a full workload, with the club trying to balance his health against its push toward October.
For the Rays, that creates a familiar kind of problem: one of the games most dangerous bats is suddenly back in the division, but not necessarily all the way back to normal yet. Judge skipped a minor-league rehab assignment, so his timing and workload will be worth tracking right away, especially for Tampa Bay as it keeps tabs on a rival that could look a lot different once he is fully settled in. [Read more 🡒]