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The Los Angeles Angels have been in Tampa Bay to take on the Rays. They started the series Tuesday and will play their third and final game Thursday. Tampa Bay beat the Angles 6-2 Tuesday but lost 8-3 Wednesday. Thursday’s game is winner-take-all.
Final. pic.twitter.com/GNdiYkvykj
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 21, 2023
Playoff Picture
The Angels are already eliminated from the playoffs. On the other hand, the Rays have clinched their spot in the playoffs after the Texans lost to the Guardians. Tampa Bay currently sit at the No. 4 seed in the AL. However, they still have a chance to take the top spot in the AL East.
After Tuesday’s win, the Rays were only 1 1/2 games behind the Orioles. However, after Wednesday’s loss, they are back to 2 1/2 games behind. The Orioles have three series with ten games left. The Rays only have four series with nine games left, including the one later this afternoon. The Rays still have a chance to take the No. 1 seed and go straight to the AL Division Series.
What teams can get each seed in the #MLB Playoffs? (September 20th) pic.twitter.com/2PiRb0RUF7
— MLB Playoff Scenarios (@MLBPlayoffScen) September 20, 2023
Keys to Thursday’s Game for Rays
For the Rays, right-handed pitcher Zach Eflin will be starting Thursday afternoon. He has a 3.44 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. The Rays have won the past four games that Eflin has started. He has 172 strikeouts and only allowed for 64 runs in 167.2 innings. He also scores an average of 5.27 runs per game. In the last series Eflin played against the Orioles, he pitched for seven innings and only gave up one run and one hit.
The rest of the lineup will be posted later today. However, we can expect to see Yandy Diaz and Luke Raley make some big plays today. The Rays can expect a win today if they play the game they played on Tuesday. Tampa Bay must get a lead to pull out the win and take the series.
No. 2️⃣3️⃣ for 2️⃣3️⃣! #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/rrP7bzwnjQ
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) September 21, 2023
The final game of the series is Thursday in St. Petersburg. The game begins at 1:10 EST.
