Rays Can't Afford to Keep Wasting Opportunities Like This in September

The Tampa Bay Rays had their chances on Monday against the New York Mets.

Unfortunately, they couldn't take advantage of them.

Tampa Bay fell 3-2 in the series opener at Tropicana Field, snapping its four-game winning streak and missing an opportunity to add another game to its lead in the American League East.

However, it's how the Rays lost that should be frustrating. And although this is the first time in quite some time they were not able to rally back from behind, it doesn't change the fact that this game was easily winnable for the squad.

Tampa Bay had the bases loaded with nobody out in the fifth inning and somehow didn't score a run.

That's an opportunity the Rays simply can't waste, especially with September officially here.

Of course, Tampa Bay has done an incredible job of finding ways to win games this season. They did it multiple times over the weekend against the San Diego Padres despite not playing their best baseball.

Eventually, those mistakes are going to catch up to you.

Monday was finally one of those games.

The Rays finished with nine hits and went 3 for 8 with runners in scoring position, but only managed two runs.

That has to be better.

One positive continues to be Liam Hicks. He picked up two hits on Monday and helped get Tampa Bay's rally started in the eighth inning.

However, it's not just the hits that have made him important to this lineup.

Hicks continues to provide good at-bats and doesn't strike out often, which has helped lengthen an order that has struggled at times toward the bottom.

That's even more important when he's hitting behind Junior Caminero, who is likely your runner up for the AL MVP at the moment.

Teams are going to be careful with Tampa Bay's best power hitter, especially as the postseason gets closer. Having someone behind him who can make pitchers work could become extremely important.

Meanwhile, Ian Seymour continues to quietly become a reliable option for the Rays.

The final numbers might not completely show how good he was on Monday.

Seymour allowed three earned runs across seven innings, but struck out 10 and allowed only six hits.

For someone who began the season as a reliever and isn't supposed to be one of the top starters in this rotation, what more could Tampa Bay really ask for?

Seymour gave the Rays more than enough to win Monday. The offense just couldn't help him.

Tampa Bay is still in an incredible position heading into the final month of the regular season, and we will see what players they call up once rosters expand Tuesday, but games like these are the ones you hope don't see in October.

September baseball is going to become increasingly important.

The Rays can't afford to continue wasting opportunities like they did Monday.