Rays Roundtable: Can Tampa Bay Hold Off Yankees and Make a World Series Run?

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a two-game losing streak to end their series against the New York Mets. Now the AL East division standings get interesting, as the New York Yankees are only three games behind as we enter the final month of the season. 

This next set of games is very important for the Rays, and on this week's Rays Roundtable, the staff discusses what it'll take to secure not only a postseason spot but a division title, possibly as soon as this week. 

Michael Brauner:  It's a tough assignment on the road, and this stretch could determine the division. With the Yankees in San Diego this weekend before a series against the Rockies, winning 4 would be great, but 5 would be incredible.

Christian Rauh: You definitely have to get at least four. You cannot go negative on this stretch of games. It may be unreasonable to say that they can win every single one of these, but they just did the same thing on their last road trip. 

Michael Brauner: Jax gives Tampa the depth to go with a 6-man if that's what they want to do, but once the postseason comes around, the Rays can ride Rasmussen, Martinez, and McClanahan hopefully through the American League

Christian Rauh: I like the idea of possibly pick-a-backing him with Seymour, as we've already seen him utilize a starter in the last few appearances when he's hit the mound. Both Jax and Seymour have done a great job moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation. Now that they're no longer needed specifically in that role, them each acting as a hybrid could be the most beneficial heading into the end of the year. 

Michael Brauner: Cedric Mullins. If his bat can get hot, it changes the entire outlook of this lineup.

Christian Rauh: Liam Hicks. His power has certainly changed the way this Rays offense has looked since the MLB trade deadline, and adding that extra bat in the middle of the order has certainly changed the game for Kevin Cash in Tampa Bay. 

Michael Brauner: It has to be the offense suddenly going cold, but this can happen with any lineup in baseball. The pitching is deep and bountiful, but runs will have to be produced to make a run.

Christian Rauh: Yes, I agree. It's the peaks and valleys of this offense. If they can stay consistent, based on how this pitching staff has looked all season, I don't think anybody can slow them down, and they'll find their first World Series championship. However, if the Rays run into a rough offensive stint, then they could be eliminated in the first round, just like they were in 2023.