Yandy Díaz homers twice as the Rays crush the Tigers 14-8 on June 21. After the win, Díaz declared the Rays the 'best team in MLB.' See why they're so hot.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
When your team hangs 14 runs on the board and every single starter gets a hit, you earn the right to be confident. And after Saturday's 14-8 demolition of the Detroit Tigers, Yandy Díaz didn't hold back. 'I think right now we are the best team in MLB,' he stated, and after watching the Rays' sixth straight series win against a division leader, it's getting harder and harder to disagree. The offensive explosion was a statement, pushing the Rays to a staggering 21-8 record since May 20 and putting them just 1.5 games behind the Yankees in the AL East.
I think right now we are the best team in MLB.
The party started early and never stopped. Yandy Díaz set the tone immediately, launching his 19th career leadoff home run to ignite a four-run first inning. He wasn't done, adding another blast later for his first multi-homer game since 2019. But the hit parade was a total team effort. Matt Thaiss was a run-producing machine, driving in four runs, while Taylor Walls and Kameron Misner each chipped in with two RBIs. By the time the dust settled, every member of the starting lineup had at least one hit, a testament to the lineup's depth and relentlessness.
While Díaz's homers will grab the headlines, Curtis Mead's performance at the plate was a masterclass in getting on base. The infielder was simply impossible to retire, reaching base in all five of his plate appearances. Mead went 2-for-2, but it was his three walks that showcased incredible plate discipline and frustrated Tigers pitching all afternoon. He came around to score three times, constantly setting the table and turning the lineup over for the big boppers behind him. It was a perfect display of the kind of high-IQ baseball that makes this Rays offense so dangerous.
With all the offensive fireworks, it would be easy to overlook another stellar outing from Shane Baz. The right-hander was sharp once again, earning his fourth consecutive win to improve to 7-3 on the season. Over 5 1/3 innings, Baz struck out six and allowed just four hits, keeping the Tigers lineup in check long enough for the Rays' bats to build an insurmountable lead. As the Rays have surged, Baz has emerged as a reliable and dominant force in the rotation, giving the team a chance to win every time he takes the mound.
Even as the big-league club rolls, the front office is ensuring the talent pipeline remains full. In a classic Rays move, the team acquired former top prospect RHP Forrest Whitley from the Astros for cash considerations, a low-risk gamble on a pitcher with immense upside. This move underscores the organization's greatest strength: its depth. The farm system remains the deepest in baseball, with 13 of the current Top 30 prospects having joined the organization in just the last year. The Rays aren't just built to win now; they're built to win for years to come.
With the offense firing on all cylinders, the pitching staff dealing, and the front office making savvy moves, it's hard to argue with Yandy's assessment. The Rays aren't just winning; they're dominating. As they continue to chase down the Yankees for the AL East crown, one thing is clear: this team believes they're the best, and they're playing like it every single day. The rest of the league is officially on notice.
