Playoffs, Baby, Playoffs.

There was a cause for celebration in Baltimore today, but not quite the way that was expected. For the 5th year in a row the Tampa Bay Rays will be play in the playoffs and have a sixth straight winning season. The big thing here is the fifth straight playoff spot being clinched. There's still a shot at the division title, but at least we know that the playoff spot has been clinched.

For as great as this is, it does leave a little to wonder.

Back in April and May, when the Rays were setting the world on fire, this seemed like a lock. Then things cooled off around and after the all star break. Tampa managed to find its stride. Hitting has come around with five guys over 20 home runs and Yandy Diaz hitting the cover off the ball for average. The jolt that was felt back in May, which was off the charts, is starting to come back around just a little here in Tampa again. Question is can they get that mojo all the way back?

Pitching has become more stable the last few months, even with the injury bug hitting near the end of August. I do feel good about the arms that are here right now and going. And I feel good about the rays going down the final two weeks of the season. Yes they have a playoff spot locked up, there WILL be October baseball by the Bay, But they are still within striking distance of a possible division title. I know I know, that sounds like a long shot, but they aren't out of it yet and that's a good thing. It allows for the bats to try and either heat up or stay hot and not go cold at the wrong time when the playoffs start.

This Rays team has only had two deep runs in its history 2-008 and 2020 that ended in World Series appearances. This is a golden chance for Tampa to really take hold of what has been a pretty special season and make it into something even truly more magical.