The 2025 (and beyond) Tampa Bay Rays

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Just typical of how things have gone with Fairbanks giving up a pair of solo homers to lose a 1-0 lead in the 9th, condemning the Rays to their 11th loss in 12 games.

Transaction: We claimed veteran reliever Lucas Erceg on waivers from Milwaukee and to make room we designated Ryan Pepiot for assignment, a move that would have seemed shocking not long ago but Pepiot has been perhaps the worst pitcher in MLB this season with an ERA just under 10. My guess is that he clears.

Game 2:



A win! And Fairbanks held on this time.

Game 3:



Two wins in a row! First time the team has done that since June 7-8.

Game 4:



After a miracle 5-run comeback in the 9th to tie, the Rays of course lose in the 10th and end up with a split. Pepiot cleared waivers and was assigned to Durham.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:



Hold the fire sale? The Rays swept the Jays, winning their first series since taking 2 of 3 in San Diego three weeks ago. Trade candidates Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe had big weekends with Lowe homering twice on Sunday. Things probably won't change but this crew has bought itself a little more time and they're 3 1/2 out of the final wild card. Next up is a trip to Wrigley for 3 against the Cubs so we'll see if they can win on the road against a 49-29 Chicago squad.



Players of the Week:

AL: Bobby Witt Jr (KC), 13-27, 3 HR, 5 RBI
NL: Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHI), 13-25, 0 HR, 5 RBI

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



This game marked the end of Yandy Diaz's stint in Tampa Bay, where he had been a fixture since 2019 as we made the following deal:



Despite being below us in the standings, the Jays made us the best offer for Yandy, sending us the versatile Schneider, who is out for the next few weeks with a sprained elbow. When he joins the club he'll gives us someone who can play the OF as well as 2B/3B, making him the quintessential Ray. More importantly for now, the trade of Diaz opens up the DH spot for slugging prospect Xavier Isaac, who was hitting 276/389/650 with 28 HR in 246 AB and might even be an improvement on Yandy, who wasn't having his best season. He'll primarily play against right-handed pitching.

Game 2:



Well we won the game and Isaac came off the bench to single in his first MLB at-bat before drawing a couple of intentional walks as the Cubs showed the fear of his power. Unfortunately though we lost our closer (or our trade bait closer) Fairbanks to a hamstring injury severe enough to shelve him for 3 months, or essentially the remainder of the regular season.

To that end, we put him on the 60-day IL and recalled veteran RP Kevin Kelly from Durham. Cleavinger and Stewart will likely be the co-closers going forward.

Game 3:



Sweeping the up-and-down Jays at home was one thing but sweeping a Cubs team which was 49-29 coming in at Wrigley is another and suddenly the Rays have won six straight, moved back to .500, and most importantly are now only 1 1/2 games out of the third wild card (albeit a tie between the Angels and Boston so they're fifth overall). Along with the exciting callup of Isaac, who came through off the bench for the second time in as many nights, this time drilling his first MLB homer which was a 426-foot shot to center in the 9th, there's suddenly room for optimism. We dealt off Yandy but in classic Rays sell and buy tradition we're hanging onto the red-hot B.Lowe for now and will see where July takes us.

Next up after a day off is a return home for 3 big games against that Angels team we're chasing for a wildcard.

Players of the Month (June):

AL Batter: Kyle Tucker (BAL), .362-7-19
NL Batter: Michael Harris II (ATL), .423-6-15
AL Pitcher: Mason Miller (ATH), 4-0, 2.02, 6 SV, 22 K in 13.1 IP
NL Pitcher: Joe Musgrove (SD), 4-0, 2.03, 27 K in 31 IP
AL Rookie: Spencer Giesting (SEA), 3-2, 2.59, 19 K in 31.1 IP
NL Rookie: Reid Schaller (CHI), 3-0, 0.00, 6.2 IP

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:



The Rays' incredible in-season turnaround continued as they swept their third straight series and made it 9 consecutive wins after breaking out the lumber to sweep the Angels. Tampa Bay scored 27 runs in the sweep on 11 homers, and I've never been so glad to not have completed the fire sale. And there are reinforcements on the way, the first one via trade:



After unfortunately trading him to Minnesota while a pitching prospect, Joe Ryan returns to the Rays to solidify the rotation. He's been one of the AL's most consistent pitchers over the last few seasons and although his 2026 ERA in 4.35, that's mainly due to a high BABIP as he's on pace for 3.1 WAR. He'll take over for Mason Englert, who has struggled to say the least. The price wasn't bad either as Monzon is a mid-level prospect.

And more pitching help is on the way sooner than expected as ace Shane McClanahan will now be returning three weeks sooner than expected as he'll be ready to pitch around the 1st of August. With a couple of rehab starts he should be ready to rejoin the rotation down the stretch as we push for a wild card (barring another bad run like the one which preceded this win streak).

We've now pulled to within 1/2 game of the third wild card behind both Boston and Cleveland, although we've got a tough week ahead with 4 games in Yankee Stadium and 3 more in Philly.



Players of the Week:

AL: Gunnar Henderson (BAL), 14-23, 1 HR, 4 RBI
NL: Bryce Harper (PHI), 12-27, 3 HR, 8 RBI

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



Transaction: Manuel Rodriguez strained his back and although he won't be hurt for the full 15 days we couldn't pitch shorthanded for a week so he goes on the IL and lefty Dylan Lee, up earlier this season, is recalled from Durham.

Game 3:



Game 4:



Truly unbelievable. The Rays have extended their win streak to 13 (equaling the club record when they started off 2023 13-0) after an improbable 4-game game sweep in Yankee Stadium, holding New York a mere 6 runs over the 4 games. That included a dazzling debut that was long in coming for former Rays farmhand Joe Ryan, acquired in trade last week. Two weeks ago they were 34-40 and going nowhere, looking at a full-blown fire-sale that began with a trade of Yandy Diaz. And now look at them, led by the red-hot Brandon Lowe (once next in line to go) whose 25th homer in the series finale brought him into a tie for the MLB lead. As a result the Rays are now in the second AL wild card, only a game and a half behind the Yankees for the first. We'll see if they can keep it going this weekend as they play 3 in Philadelphia.

[Art Deco]

Avant:



Interestingly he seems to be a fictional creation of OOTP despite this being a 2025 database as I Googled him and found nothing. Well whoever he is seems to be quite an advanced high school pitching prospect with potential ace stuff and the 40/45/40 ratings already in place make me think he'll move quicker than the typical HS pitcher.

Farber:



This guy's real though, and the Texas State OF looks like an on-base guy who plays above-average defense

Brachbill:



A college guy who potentially has above-average stuff but needs to keep the ball in the park. His work in the draft league was impressive.

Washington:



An intriguing prep pick who is already a fine defensive CF and has the potential to be a well-rounded if unspectacular hitter. Kevin Kiermaier 2.0?

Bonds:



A big college power bat who will struggle to make consistent contact. He could be useful if he hits those potential ratings but iffy otherwise.

[Art Deco]

Transaction: Claimed P Steven Matz on waivers from the LA Dodgers, optioned P Mason Englert to Durham.

Matz gives the Rays a guy who can both start and relieve, but for now he'll be used in long relief.

Game 1:



The Rays were unable to pull out a club-record 14th straight win as they saw their streak end in a tough one in the bottom of the 9th.

Game 2:



Game 3:



The Rays managed to salvage the finale and kept the win streak from turning into an extended losing streak. They're tied for the second wild card right now and will return home after an off-day to play 3 against Texas:



Players of the Week:

AL: Adolis Garcia (TEX), 10-24, 4 HR, 8 RBI
NL: Masyn Winn (STL), 10-19, 2 HR, 6 RBI

MLB News: Some tough news for the Atlanta pitching staff as they've lost Reynaldo Lopez for the season with a torn rotator cuff and Chris Sale is out a month with a strained hamstring.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:



Another good series for the Rays as they take 2 of 3 behind the boiling lava hot bat of Brandon Lowe, who leads all of MLB with 30 homers and has now gone deep in five straight games, and has hit 14 in his last 17 games, just an unbelievable run that has propelled Tampa Bay into a wildcard spot. It's the third one where they lead Cleveland by 1 1/2 games but trail Boston and New York by the same margin for the top two spots.

Next up: St. Louis visits for 3 games.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:



Just a dreadful weekend for the Rays, who could only score five runs over three games while being swept by St. Louis. Somehow they're still clinging to the third wild card, 1/2 game ahead of Cleveland.

The standings:



Players of the Week:

AL: Kyle Tucker (BAL), 10-22, 3 HR, 11 RBI
NL: Jeimer Candelario (CIN), 9-21, 2 HR, 10 RBI

MLB News: The Mets will be without starter Kodai Senga for 5 weeks due to bone chips in his elbow, Houston has lost closer Josh Hader for two months with elbow inflammation, and the Mets' Jared Young hit for the cycle.


Next up: The All-Star break, after which the Rays will resume play with 3 games in Washington.

[Art Deco]

The teams:

Selected to play for the American League All-Stars are:

SP Garrett Crochet (BOS)* - 10-4, 3.03 ERA, 113.0 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 10.2 K/9, 3.3 WAR
SP Max Fried (NYY) - 11-3, 3.38 ERA, 119.2 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 3.6 WAR
SP George Kirby (SEA) - 6-8, 2.94 ERA, 125.1 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, 2.6 WAR
SP Nick Martinez (NYY) - 7-2, 3.39 ERA, 111.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 8.9 K/9, 2.4 WAR
SP Shane McClanahan (TB) - 7-0, 1.29 ERA, 56.0 IP, 0.59 WHIP, 10.0 K/9, 2.5 WAR (Injured)
SP Reese Olson (DET) - 5-4, 2.70 ERA, 73.1 IP, 1.38 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 0.6 WAR
SP Kumar Rocker (TEX) - 6-5, 4.05 ERA, 115.2 IP, 1.10 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 2.6 WAR
SP Carlos Rodón (NYY) - 7-5, 3.68 ERA, 110.0 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 10.3 K/9, 1.7 WAR
SP Patrick Sandoval (TOR)* - 4-1, 1.81 ERA, 69.2 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 1.1 WAR
RP Jon Gray (TEX) - 3-4, 3.44 ERA, 89.0 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 8.4 K/9, 0.5 WAR
RP Chris Martin (HOU) - 2-1, 2.25 ERA, 24.0 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 7.5 K/9, 0.7 WAR (Injured)
RP Quinn Priester (BAL) - 5-3, 2.75 ERA, 52.1 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, -0.1 WAR
RP Colin Rea (BOS) - 5-1, 3.22 ERA, 89.1 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 7.9 K/9, 1.1 WAR
CL Emmanuel Clase (CLE) - 2-2, 29 SV, 1.56 ERA, 40.1 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, 2.1 WAR
CL Mason Miller (ATH) - 9-3, 17 SV, 2.25 ERA, 40.0 IP, 1.32 WHIP, 13.3 K/9, 1.4 WAR
CL Devin Williams (DET) - 6-2, 15 SV, 2.41 ERA, 33.2 IP, 1.46 WHIP, 13.4 K/9, 1.1 WAR (Injured)
C Alejandro Kirk (TOR) - .255/.342/.416, 243 AB, 9 HR, 112 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
C Logan O'Hoppe (LAA) - .264/.322/.489, 284 AB, 19 HR, 118 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
C Adley Rutschman (BAL)* - .345/.438/.556, 275 AB, 11 HR, 177 wRC+, 4.7 WAR
1B Jonathan Aranda (TB)* - .298/.361/.454, 359 AB, 12 HR, 134 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
1B Triston Casas (BOS) - .281/.356/.545, 345 AB, 22 HR, 143 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
1B Brent Rooker (ATH) - .292/.352/.558, 360 AB, 24 HR, 5 SB, 143 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
1B Colt Keith (DET) - .319/.382/.566, 376 AB, 21 HR, 161 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
2B Brooks Lee (MIN) - .289/.341/.450, 322 AB, 11 HR, 6 SB, 119 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
2B Brandon Lowe (TB)* - .266/.349/.618, 304 AB, 31 HR, 1 SB, 164 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
3B Junior Caminero (TB) - .289/.350/.516, 343 AB, 21 HR, 2 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
3B Jose Ramirez (CLE)* - .307/.367/.599, 339 AB, 22 HR, 15 SB, 159 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
SS Gunnar Henderson (BAL)* - .328/.398/.618, 314 AB, 21 HR, 19 SB, 176 wRC+, 4.8 WAR
SS Zach Neto (LAA) - .298/.352/.556, 363 AB, 23 HR, 17 SB, 146 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
SS Bobby Witt Jr. (KC) - .283/.331/.470, 353 AB, 12 HR, 10 SB, 116 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
LF Wilyer Abreu (BOS)* - .276/.364/.471, 272 AB, 11 HR, 5 SB, 126 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
LF Norimoto Aoki (CWS) - .250/.359/.402, 328 AB, 10 HR, 2 SB, 114 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
LF Evan Carter (TEX) - .294/.388/.519, 316 AB, 14 HR, 9 SB, 147 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
CF Julio Rodriguez (SEA)* - .301/.391/.470, 319 AB, 14 HR, 23 SB, 139 wRC+, 4.6 WAR (Injured)
RF Adolis García (TEX) - .259/.328/.561, 328 AB, 29 HR, 5 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
RF Aaron Judge (NYY)* - .249/.374/.521, 313 AB, 23 HR, 1 SB, 141 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
RF Jorge Soler (SEA)* - .251/.355/.515, 334 AB, 25 HR, 142 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
RF Kyle Tucker (BAL) - .272/.375/.482, 342 AB, 19 HR, 18 SB, 136 wRC+, 3.6 WAR

The National League All-Stars will have these players on their roster:

SP Chase Dollander (COL) - 6-5, 11 SV, 2.64 ERA, 85.1 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 6.9 K/9, 2.4 WAR
SP Sonny Gray (STL) - 7-2, 2.83 ERA, 89.0 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 1.8 WAR
SP Hunter Greene (CIN) - 8-6, 2.92 ERA, 114.0 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, 2.4 WAR
SP Porter Hodge (CHC) - 2-3, 21 SV, 5.33 ERA, 50.2 IP, 1.52 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, 0.8 WAR
SP Chris Sale (ATL)* - 4-4, 3.31 ERA, 70.2 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 9.9 K/9, 1.0 WAR (Injured)
SP Kodai Senga (NYM) - 5-2, 2.51 ERA, 82.1 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 9.5 K/9, 2.6 WAR
SP Paul Skenes (PIT) - 3-6, 4.23 ERA, 89.1 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 10.3 K/9, 2.2 WAR (Injured)
SP Justin Steele (CHC) - 9-5, 2.80 ERA, 122.0 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 1.7 WAR
SP Logan Webb (SF) - 11-7, 3.45 ERA, 127.2 IP, 1.10 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 2.7 WAR
SP Zack Wheeler (PHI) - 7-5, 2.97 ERA, 106.0 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 8.4 K/9, 2.1 WAR
RP Jhony Brito (SD) - 5-1, 2.49 ERA, 86.2 IP, 0.96 WHIP, 6.9 K/9, 1.0 WAR
RP Kenley Jansen (PHI)* - 2-3, 2.27 ERA, 35.2 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 11.1 K/9, 1.0 WAR
CL Felix Bautista (SF) - 1-2, 29 SV, 1.85 ERA, 34.0 IP, 1.44 WHIP, 9.5 K/9, -0.2 WAR
CL Orion Kerkering (PHI) - 3-0, 24 SV, 0.77 ERA, 35.0 IP, 0.77 WHIP, 10.3 K/9, 1.7 WAR
CL Justin Martinez (AZ) - 3-2, 20 SV, 2.12 ERA, 34.0 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 13.5 K/9, 1.9 WAR
C Francisco Alvarez (NYM)* - .250/.326/.500, 272 AB, 17 HR, 1 SB, 125 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
C William Contreras (MIL) - .282/.389/.478, 255 AB, 11 HR, 12 SB, 142 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
C Ivan Herrera (STL) - .282/.366/.405, 259 AB, 7 HR, 6 SB, 119 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
1B Bryce Harper (PHI) - .287/.384/.518, 338 AB, 20 HR, 6 SB, 145 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
1B Josh Naylor (MIA) - .271/.321/.460, 365 AB, 15 HR, 2 SB, 111 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
1B Matt Olson (ATL) - .298/.386/.520, 342 AB, 17 HR, 150 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
1B Austin Riley (ATL)* - .291/.363/.555, 364 AB, 24 HR, 148 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
2B Ketel Marte (AZ) - .305/.404/.570, 128 AB, 8 HR, 4 SB, 163 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
2B Matt McLain (CIN)* - .220/.308/.398, 327 AB, 13 HR, 6 SB, 86 wRC+, 0.8 WAR
3B Alex Bregman (CHC) - .267/.339/.468, 329 AB, 14 HR, 120 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
3B Jeimer Candelario (CIN) - .306/.373/.563, 327 AB, 18 HR, 8 SB, 143 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
3B Manny Machado (SD)* - .293/.360/.497, 324 AB, 17 HR, 5 SB, 140 wRC+, 3.4 WAR (Injured)
SS Elly De La Cruz (CIN) - .282/.370/.523, 262 AB, 16 HR, 15 SB, 134 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
SS Francisco Lindor (NYM)* - .251/.333/.437, 350 AB, 15 HR, 6 SB, 116 wRC+, 3.2 WAR (Injured)
SS Dansby Swanson (CHC) - .266/.307/.391, 312 AB, 9 HR, 15 SB, 93 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
LF James Wood (WSH)* - .296/.369/.501, 341 AB, 17 HR, 6 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
CF Corbin Carroll (AZ) - .271/.377/.558, 317 AB, 18 HR, 21 SB, 154 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
CF Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC) - .288/.331/.473, 368 AB, 12 HR, 28 SB, 118 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
CF TJ Friedl (CIN) - .302/.348/.586, 331 AB, 21 HR, 5 SB, 145 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
CF Michael Harris II (ATL)* - .355/.392/.634, 369 AB, 25 HR, 6 SB, 178 wRC+, 5.5 WAR
CF Jackson Merrill (SD) - .290/.327/.526, 369 AB, 19 HR, 17 SB, 135 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
RF Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL)* - .321/.404/.548, 343 AB, 20 HR, 18 SB, 161 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
DH Shohei Ohtani (LAD)* - .277/.349/.517, 346 AB, 22 HR, 33 SB, 130 wRC+, 2.2 WAR

The Rays have four honorees - the first for Caminero, second for Aranda, and third for McClanahan and B.Lowe. Aranda and B.Lowe will make up the right side of the infield for the AL starting lineup.

Meanwhile, B.Lowe and Caminero were also selected to participate in the Home Run Derby, but unfortunately matched up against each other in the opening round. Here's how it went:



Junior edged his teammate in the opening round, then had the worst round of anybody in the second, losing to eventual winner Austin Riley. I suspect he had the worst round because I actually decided to watch it.

The game:



Hilariously OOTP had the game played at Sutter Health Park, the minor league stadium in Sacramento being temporarily used by the A's. I guess if we could have the World Series played last year at Steinbrenner Field, why not the ASG here? Anyway Rays starters Lowe and Aranda each drove in a run, Lowe with a single, and Caminero was 0-1 in a pinch-hit appearance.

[Art Deco]

Xavier Isaac had been struggling mightily at DH (167/245/271 in 48 AB) and although we admittedly gave the rookie a short leash, with the Rays back in the wild card race now is no time to experiment. We were also a bit vulnerable to lefty pitching so a RH bat to DH was preferred. Gee I wonder who could fit that bill?



Yes, in perhaps an unprecedented move (in-season at least) we traded for a guy we traded away about three weeks ago. Welcome back Yandy, we hardly knew you were gone. Toronto's acquisition the pending free agent was always a curious one, so I figured they'd be willing to let him go for the right price and it turned out to be Rodriguez, a relief prospect who could be decent but nobody we were building a future team around. Isaac goes back to Durham and Yandy goes into the lineup as the everyday DH just like before. Who says you can't go home again?

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:



A good series that could have been better if the bullpen hadn't lost the middle game. We did gain a game of breathing room on Cleveland for the third wild card with a lead now of 1 1/2 games.

Going to skip posting the standings since only three game days have passed.

Players of the (abbreviated) Week:

AL: Bo Naylor (CLE), 7-12, 3 HR, 4 RBI
NL: Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHI), 9-16, 0 HR, 3 RBI

MLB News: Brief former Rays OF David Peralta announced his retirement effective the end of the season.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:



A bit of a rough series for the Rays, losing 2 of 3 including blowing a 7-3 lead in the second game as the pen allowed four homers, but they did bounce back with a 10-run inning as part of a 13-3 rout in the finale.

And some good news: Shane McClanahan is heading out on a rehab assignment and hopefully will return after a couple of starts. Meanwhile Davis Schneider, acquired from the Jays in the first Yandy trade, will be joining the club for the upcoming home series against Miami as he comes off his rehab assignment. To make room we've DFA'd Alek Thomas, who was just terrible (-0.5 WAR) at both the plate and in the field; we thought we had a coup when we claimed him on waivers from Arizona back in April, but now we see why the D'backs gave up on him.

Standings-wise it was status quo as Cleveland also lost two of three so we remain 1 1/2 up on them for the third wild card.

[Art Deco]

We made one deal at the deadline, and it was a minor one:



Thomas was DFA'd so I was happy to get anything I could for him, and Ramos has some allure as a power-hitting OF prospect (55 now/potential power) who has well above-average ability defensively (65/75 LF, 55 CF, 70 RF). The hit tool is questionable, though. He was mashing in the PCL (309/391/675 with 28 HR in 280 AB) and will report to Durham.

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:



A brutal series for the Rays. After romping in the opener things turned sour quickly and in the second game they lost the league's hottest hitter Brandon Lowe for at least a couple of weeks with a herniated disc. Prospect Brayden Taylor was recalled and will start against RHP while newly-recalled Davis Schneider will play against lefties. Then we had the finale where the staff was not only battered for 9 runs on 18 hits, but literally battered as three pitchers left with injury. None were particularly serious with Bender fine to pitch the next day, Lavender will miss a few days with forearm stiffness and Matz has a sore ankle. Matz's injury would only have him out 5 days but with Lavender out too we need another live arm so Manuel Rodriguez was recalled from his rehab assignment after missing a couple of months.

Still it could have been worse as Cleveland also lost 2 of 3 to remain 1 1/2 behind in the race for the third wild card.



Players of the Month (July):

AL Batter: This guy, who unfortunately just got hurt:



NL Batter: Bryce Harper (PHI), .337-10-24
AL Pitcher: Marc Church (TEX), 3-0, 1.88, 29 K in 28.2 IP
NL Pitcher: Sonny Gray (STL), 4-0, 0.73, 18 K in 24.2 IP
AL Rookie: Church
NL Rookie: Cam Collier (CIN), .256-9-21

Players of the Week:

AL: Everson Periera (NY), 9-21, 4 HR, 5 RBI
NL: Josh Naylor (MIA), 12-24, 3 HR, 10 RBI

A couple of notes on these two: apparently the Yankees sent Pereira down because he was pictured in a SWB uniform in the story, and Naylor did most of his damage, including all 3 homers, against the Rays this weekend.

MLB News: Atlanta's veteran slugger Matt Olson belted career homer #300.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:



Game 4:



Quite a series with all four games being nail-biters and the Rays prevailing in three of them. As a result not only are they two full games ahead of Cleveland for the third wild card but they're only 1/2 game behind Boston for the second.

MLB News: A couple of stars of the game have seen their seasons end prematurely. Arizona lost OF Corbin Carroll to a fractured ankle, and Detroit ace Tarik Skubal is done with forearm inflammation.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:



The bullpen's inability to keep the ball in the park cost them the two losses in this series, especially the first game where a 5-1 lead disappeared. Fortunately they didn't lose ground to Cleveland which remains two games back, but now the Guardians are joined by the Angels, and the Athletics are only 2 1/2 back.



Players of the Week:

AL: This guy:



NL: Edmundo Sosa (PHI), 13-24, 2 HR, 5 RBI