With seven games in the books, the Tampa Bay Rays are off to a 3-4 start. While their performance has been a mixed bag, there are plenty of reasons for optimism. That starts with an offense that has shown off its power.
Entering play on Wednesday, Tampa Bay was only the second team since 1900 to record a home run and stolen base in its first six games. Tampa’s ability to create offense in multiple ways has kept them in ball games when the pitching has struggled.
Additionally, the Rays are getting offense from various sources. Six players have hit at least one home run. Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes are tied for the team lead with two. The talented duo have been hitting the ball hard, which has been contagious. Entering play on Sunday, the Rays hard hit rate of 45.8 is ranked fifth in the majors.
Although the Rays have not been able to mirror last year’s start, veterans such as Brandon Lowe have been encouraged by what they are seeing.
“I mean, we’ve hit the ball really hard,” Lowe told MLB.Com’s Adam Berry prior to Wednesday’s game. “There’s a lot of positives to take away, especially after Spring Training. Being outside, playing all the time, then playing one game here with the lights and the turf and adjusting as well as our guys have done, It’s not the win-loss column like it was last year, but certainly we’re playing really good baseball. There’s a lot to look forward to.”
What makes the Rays start even more encouraging is that some of their best bats are off to a slow start. That includes Brandon Lowe and Harold Ramirez, who terrorized pitchers last year with their power and ability to get on base. So far this season, they recorded a combined seven hits in 41 at-bats.
With the season far from over, it won’t be long before the Rays’ offense is at full force. Against the Rangers and Blue Jays, Tampa Bay scored at least five runs three times. In the first week, this team showed that when they get good pitching and score runs, they are hard to beat.
While the Rays have made a difference with their power, they have also applied pressure on the bases. They have stolen 10 bases this season and have only been caught twice. Their numbers should only improve with a new spread threat in Richie Palacios added to the mix.
After a one-day hiatus, the Rays are back in action on April 5th, when they start a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies. It represents a perfect opportunity for some of the Rays’ hitters to get back on track, as the Rockies’ pitching has struggled. For hitters like Brandon Lowe and Harold Ramirez, a big weekend could be in store.
