National Power Rankings Agree on Where Rays Stand Entering September Stretch

The Tampa Bay Rays failed to win the series against the Texas Rangers, but at least they're leaving Arlington with a split. 

The team will head into the final stretch of their road trip on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves with an 85-58 record, four games ahead of the New York Yankees in the AL East division standings. 

As the team continues to hold a slight advantage over the rest of their division rivals, they also continue to show consistent confidence in their pitching staff and most of their offensive production. 

On Monday, Bleacher Report released its latest power rankings, and the Tampa Rays once again came in as the fourth-best team in MLB and the top team in the American League.

"With 16 of their final 19 games against teams with a winning record, the Rays still need to get what would be the fifth division title in franchise history across the finish line," said B/R writer Joel Reuter. "Deadline pickup Freddy Peralta has allowed five hits and one earned run in 12 innings over his last two starts, as he is building some nice momentum toward October."

It will certainly be a true test for Kevin Cash and the Rays' roster over the final stretch of the season, as they will likely play a squad they will see in the postseason. As long as they can tread water and stay slightly ahead of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox for the division lead, playing this level of competition late could actually help prepare for the MLB playoffs.

Peralta will have another chance to continue and show he can be a trusted starter in the playoffs for Kevin Cash on Tuesday, when he begins a very important series in Atlanta against the Braves. 

Tampa Bay also found themselves fourth in MLB.com's latest power rankings, and once again, unanimously, the top team in the junior circuit. 

"The Rays are hanging onto first place, as well as the best record in the AL, and they'd be wise to take full advantage of the three games they have at home against the A's from Sept. 15-17," said MLB writer Will Leitch. "After that, they've got a tough schedule the rest of the way: three at home against Boston, four huge ones in the Bronx and closing with three in Philadelphia."

One thing that will certainly be interesting to follow over the final stretch of the season is the narrative surrounding the schedule in Tampa Bay. 

Earlier this month, the team was predicted to be a "playoff fraud." And if they struggle down the stretch against top competing teams, that narrative could certainly strengthen among the national media. 

However, if they succeed and finish the season hot, will they be seen as a front-runner to find themselves competing for their first World Series title in 2026?