The Tampa Bay Rays have clinched an MLB playoff berth, but the AL East race with the New York Yankees is far from over. With 13 games remaining, the Rays' upcoming series against the Athletics could be crucial in their pursuit of the AL's No. 1 seed.
The Tampa Bay Rays may have clinched the postseason, but winning the division is far from over.
And that has made this upcoming series against the Athletics extremely important.
On Tuesday, the team will host the Athletics for a three-game series, marking the final time Tampa Bay will play a team with a losing record this year. After big series wins versus both playoff hopefuls, the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros, Kevin Cash and his Rays team cannot take the Athletics lightly. They look for not only a series victory but potentially a sweep to keep the New York Yankees at bay.
Earlier this week, Bleacher Report released its thoughts on every MLB team's worst nightmare scenario heading down the final stretch of the 2026 regular season. By no surprise, the worst-case scenario for the Rays is to lose the division lead before the playoffs begin.
"The last time the Rays weren't the American League's "if the regular season ended today" No. 1 seed was on the morning of June 27. However, with just a three-game lead over the Bronx Bombers and a colossal four-games-in-three-days series still to come at Yankee Stadium next week," said B/R writer Kerry Miller. "Tampa Bay has not even remotely locked up that home-field advantage yet. Losing that edge could prove disastrous for a team that is currently 8-2 at home against New York and Boston, but 3-6 on the road."
Heading into Tuesday's contest, Tampa Bay has 13 games remaining. Seven are against AL East opponents.
After the weekend, the Yankees sit 4 games back of Tampa Bay and will head on the road for the next 6 games before hosting the Rays for 4 games in 3 days. It is possible for Tampa Bay to clinch the division before the two teams play, but it is highly unlikely.
But that shouldn't stop them from trying.
The Rays' offense has been very good as of late, and the pitching staff remains one of the best in baseball. If the team can find a way to sweep the Athletics and hope the Yankees lose one or two on the road against the Minnesota Twins to begin the week, the lead could become insurmountable for them to come back from. Tampa Bay could be looking at the top seed in the American League playoffs.
Tampa Bay will be back in action as Griffin Jax is set to get the start on Tuesday against right-hander Jack Perkins of the Athletics. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 pm Eastern at Tropicana Field.
