The Tampa Bay Rays are entering the final month of the regular season in a spot they know well: right in the mix, with October looking very possible. And just like in past years, the real question is whether this version of the club is built to last once the postseason pressure starts squeezing.
That’s the backdrop for this week’s Rays Roundtable, where the focus landed on the same issues that have tripped up previous Tampa Bay playoff teams - injuries, depth, and whether Erik Neander did enough at the trade deadline to steady the ship.
On that front, Michael Brauner said the Rays put themselves in the best position they could.
"It's tough to say they didn't do enough. With aggressive moves that have panned out so far for the most part, the Rays did all they could do to put themselves in the best position possible. Injuries are an unfortunate reality."
Christian Rauh pointed to Liam Hicks as a meaningful addition and said the offense’s baseline has risen since he arrived.
"My gut says yes. Liam Hicks has certainly been a huge addition, and since his arrival, the floor of the offense has certainly lifted to a point where they can win every game. If Freddy Peralta can be seen as a trusted pitcher down the stretch, then they will have my full support."
The bullpen was another major topic after Tampa Bay got its first real look at the back-end trio in Wednesday night’s win over the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rays have been trying to build a late-game unit that can shorten games in October, and both panelists sounded encouraged by what they saw.
Brauner said the group looks good enough to handle tight playoff games if the performance holds.
"If they can keep up this level of play, it's absolutely enough to feel good about closing out any close game where they are protecting a lead in October. Elite bullpens are what get it done in October, and that is what Tampa Bay has."
Rauh echoed that view and tied the setup directly to the vision from the organization’s decision-makers.
"This had to be the vision from Erik Neander, Kevin Cash, and the rest of the Rays decision-makers. Get a strong enough backend of the bullpen to where games can be shortened in postseason play. That happened on Wednesday despite a subpar start from Drew Rasmussen."
As for the American League team that looks most capable of standing in Tampa Bay’s way, Brauner still landed on the Yankees.
"It still feels like the Yankees. If Aaron Judge does come back, that's a completely different team and one capable of getting back to the World Series."
Rauh agreed that New York is getting its act together, even without Judge, but also threw out another club that has caught his attention.
"The Yankees are certainly starting to figure things out and doing it without Judge at the moment is certainly concerning. Will a 5-game lead be enough to hold off the bombers?
Tough to say. However, let's go a different route.
The Chicago White Sox continue to surprise me, and despite them obviously overachieving this season, they have shown they have enough to spoil a series or two in the postseason."
The roundtable also touched on Bryan Baker’s save chase. Brauner said Baker is on pace to get there if the chances keep coming.
"He certainly is on pace to do so. If he gets the opportunities, he will pass Rodney."
Rauh added that the math is simple if Tampa Bay keeps playing in enough tight games.
"He basically needs one save every 3-game series the rest of the way to make it happen. The way the Rays offense has been, they will be in contention for a save opportunity often. Let's say yes."
In Other News...
Rays May Have A Bullpen Option Emerging At The Perfect Time
With the Rays sitting atop the American League and already thinking ahead to October, the bullpen picture is starting to matter as much as anything else on the roster. Tampa Bay has spent plenty of this season evaluating internal arms, and one of the more interesting ones is Ty Johnson, the right-hander acquired from the Cubs who has made the move from starting to relieving.
Johnsons recent work has given the Rays a possible answer in a role they can use now and later. His strikeout numbers have stood out in his first relief looks, and the slider has played as a real weapon, which is part of why the team views him as a candidate for multi-inning work. For a club trying to protect innings over the final stretch, that kind of flexibility can become valuable fast. [Read more 🡒]
Rays May Have Finally Solved A Problem That Lasted Years
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Caden Bodine, acquired in an offseason trade, has already drawn notice for his defensive work, while Nathan Flewelling has climbed quickly and shown real power potential at a young age. For a club that has spent years trying to stabilize one of baseballs most demanding spots, having both immediate help and upside in the pipeline is exactly the kind of development the Rays have been waiting for. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Just Sent Fans A Worrying AL East Message
A rough homestand left the Rays with a little less comfort than they had coming in, even if the bigger picture still looks manageable. Tampa Bay went 2-5 over the stretch, dropping series to both Baltimore and Toronto, and the tone of the week was defined less by close calls than by how quickly games started slipping away when the pitching staff couldn't steady things.
The Blue Jays series was especially jarring, with the Rays giving up run after run and making the kind of mistakes that can change the mood around a clubhouse fast. There was one encouraging note in the mix, though, with Shane McClanahan back in the series finale against Baltimore, a reminder that Tampa Bay may still have help on the way even as the recent skid sends a more uneasy message about where it stands in the AL East. [Read more 🡒]