[ad_1]
No crew in skilled sports activities is extra dominant proper now than…the Tampa Bay Rays?
Overlook the whole lot you may know concerning the Rays—laughably small payroll, campy indoor stadium, was the Satan Rays and wore jerseys that appeared just like the 90s threw up—this version is kicking ass and taking names. (To be honest, they’ve made the playoffs yearly since 2019. Nonetheless, although!)
Tampa Bay has not misplaced but. They’re a staggering 13-0. They’ve had extra video games determined by ten or extra runs (three) than video games that have been determined by two runs or much less (two). It’s going about in addition to baseball can realistically go, and that’s with a number of of their beginning pitchers on the injured record. It is a glitch within the simulation, one thing that isn’t speculated to occur in actual life.
In the event you’re questioning how this occurred, what the historic significance is, or who’s accountable, we’ve bought you coated.
Has this ever occurred earlier than?
Sure, nevertheless it’s been a minute.
The 1987 Milwaukee Brewers have been the final crew to begin the 12 months with 13 straight wins. The 1982 Braves did it as properly. Each groups misplaced their 14th recreation. However earlier than that, you’ve bought to return to the 1884 St. Louis Maroons to seek out the final crew to storm out of the gates with 13 consecutive W’s. This makes the 2023 Tampa Bay Rays considered one of simply 4 groups in baseball’s lengthy and twisted historical past to begin the season on this sort of heater, a stat that makes me somewhat dizzy if I give it some thought too laborious.
Additionally, you’re most likely going to listen to little snickers about this from each nook of the baseball web, so let’s simply get it out of the best way. Sure, these 1884 Maroons actually employed a man named Buttercup Dickerson, whose nickname, historians say, got here from mendacity within the grass as a result of he bought too turnt. Buttercup was kicked off the team for drunkenness and didn’t even play the complete season for St. Louis.
Had the Rays ever gained 13 in a row earlier than?
That they had not! This formally marks the longest successful streak within the Rays’ 25 years of existence. Tampa Bay had by no means gained greater than three video games in a row to start a season, and previous to this run, their longest win streak at any level of a season was 12 again in 2004, a 12 months the place they nonetheless managed to complete 21 video games below .500.
Are they beating good groups?
Not likely.
That is the simplest barb to shoot within the Rays’ route. Their 13 wins embrace three apiece over the Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, and Oakland Athletics. All three of these groups are going to complete in final place of their respective divisions. And the Rays’ most up-to-date triumph was a four-game sweep of the Boston Crimson Sox, who usually tend to end in final place than they’re to make the playoffs.
Nonetheless, 13 in a row is definitely one thing to have fun, irrespective of who’s on the opposite facet. The inherent wonkiness of baseball—a bizarre hop right here, some poor batted ball luck there—makes doing what the Rays have executed much more unbelievable.
[ad_2]
Source link
