Rays Extend Win Streak to 11 Games, Remain Undefeated

On Tuesday night, the red-hot Rays crushed the Red Sox, 7-2. Rays starter Shane McClanahan pitched a gem, while Boston’s Garrett Whitlock saw his first start of the year fall apart. The win extended the Rays’ start-of-season streak to 11 games — the third most all-time.

This about sums it up pic.twitter.com/YqYtDr7QFS

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 12, 2023

Don’t Blink

In the offseason, one of the biggest worries surrounding the Rays organization was a lack of power in the lineup. Experts argued that the Rays’ roster would have fits trying to produce runs and their pitching wouldn’t be enough to carry them.

So far this season, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Tampa Bay has raked 29 home runs in 11 games — a mark that leads the league by eight. They have also scored 14 more runs than any other team in the MLB.

Power and run production are not a problem. The Rays have been able to put runners on base and they have made it known they can clear the bases at the blink of an eye.

There's hot… and then there's whatever the heck we are currently doing pic.twitter.com/MFXwlvFhRO

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 12, 2023

Where’s the Weakness?

Traditionally, when a team is leading the league in every offensive category, its pitching tends to slack a bit. The Rays seem to have made the decision that it’s better to just lead every category, period.

Tampa Bay pitching has the lowest starting rotation ERA in the league thus far. McClanahan is the ace of the rotation, but Drew Rasmussen and Jeffrey Springs have been money to back him up.

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1645929981426450433?s=20

They also have the second-lowest bullpen ERA, trailing only Milwaukee. Pete Fairbanks has emerged as a bona fide closer, allowing no runs in his past 25 regular-season appearances on the mound. During that span, Fairbanks has 37 strikeouts and only three walks.

https://twitter.com/RaysRadio/status/1645588686623350785?s=20

Road to the Record

The win streak sits at 11 for the boys in blue, while the MLB record is 13. That feat was accomplished by the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers and the 1982 Atlanta Braves. If the Rays are able to sweep the rest of their four-game set with the Red Sox, they will tie that mark.

Some stats from the Rays 11-0 start:

– Largest run differential in MLB history through first 11 games (+63)
– First team in MLB history to start the season on an 11 game win streak with a HR in each game
– Tied with 2000 Cardinals for most home runs in first 11 games (29) pic.twitter.com/ZjDhClnaOt

— MLB Metrics (@MLBMetrics) April 12, 2023

One of the biggest question marks lies in Wednesday’s game. With usual starter Zach Eflin dealing with back soreness, top prospect Taj Bradley is being called up to the show to pitch against veteran Chris Sale.

Injuries have plagued Tampa Bay for the past few years and they could spell trouble for this historic run as well.