MLB1 hr ago
Rays Take Pride in Unexpected Run Despite World Series Loss
Clubhouse reflects on a season of defying predictions after falling to the Brewers in five games.
· 2 min read
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Pride Amid the Heartache
Sadness filled the home clubhouse after the season concluded with a loss in the decisive game. The Rays processed the end of an eight-plus-month journey that began with a return to their ballpark and featured tight bonds among the group. Tears appeared, yet pride stood out most as players reflected on what the team accomplished together.
Pitching Adjustments on Short Rest
Seven pitchers took the mound with the season at stake. One worked a scoreless inning after earlier logging two frames on short notice. The scheduled starter from the prior game shifted to relief duty, prompting the ace to start on three days' rest for the first time. Limits were set at four innings or 60 pitches. The starter allowed one run over four innings on 48 pitches before a right-hander entered and surrendered three consecutive one-out singles that extended the lead. Additional runs followed in the next inning against two more relievers.
Defying Low Expectations
Coming off consecutive fourth-place finishes, the club was projected to finish last in its division. Instead it claimed the best record in the league by late June and finished with 98 wins. The group swept one postseason opponent and prevailed in six games against another before reaching the World Series for the third time in franchise history. Success rested on a strong rotation, high contact rates, low strikeouts, frequent bunts and the second-most steals in the majors. Three hitters at the top of the order provided power while every player embraced a defined role. A 3-0 deficit proved too large to overcome against a team that finished with 11 wins in its last 13 postseason games.
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