The red-hot Rays, led by Shane Baz's gem in a 4-0 win over the Royals, now face the Orioles in June 2025 for the AL East lead. Can their streak continue?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Forget hot, the Tampa Bay Rays are simply scorching. Riding a five-of-six win streak and fresh off a dominant road sweep of the Royals, the Rays have transformed into the most formidable team in baseball since late May. They're not just winning; they're leading the majors in nearly every significant offensive and pitching category over the last month. Now, just a half-game out of first place, they've rolled into Baltimore with a clear mission: take down the Orioles and claim the top spot in the AL East.
It seems like later, at least more than before, we’re actually getting the hits when those guys are on base.
The foundation of this incredible run has been a pitching staff that's gone from great to historically elite. The latest masterpiece came from Shane Baz, who delivered a career-best eight scoreless innings in Thursday's 4-0 series finale against the Royals, striking out nine. His gem extended the Rays starters' scoreless innings streak to a staggering 22 2/3 innings. This level of dominance on the mound, backed by a bullpen that saw Pete Fairbanks lock down his 15th save, is the engine driving the team's success.
While the pitchers have been shutting opponents down, the offense has been an absolute juggernaut. Since May 20, no team in baseball has scored more runs, hit for a higher average, or posted a better OPS than Tampa Bay. The Royals series was a perfect example, capped by Brandon Lowe and Junior Caminero's back-to-back homers and timely hits from Jake Mangum and Josh Lowe. As Taylor Walls noted, the team is finally cashing in with runners on base, turning opportunities into a relentless wave of runs.
Winning is one thing, but dominating on the road is another. With their sweep in Kansas City, the Rays became the first team in MLB this season to record three road series sweeps, having already done so against the Mets and Padres. Their 19-12 road record is a testament to their focus and resilience away from Tropicana Field. This team isn't just comfortable on the road; they're thriving, a crucial trait as they begin this pivotal series in Baltimore.
With Ryan Pepiot taking the mound against the Orioles, all eyes are on Camden Yards. This series isn't just another set of games; it's a chance for the Rays to make a definitive statement and seize the AL East lead they've been chasing. Can the league's hottest team keep this historic momentum rolling? It's time to find out.
