The Rays Are Still Undefeated

These guys just can't lose! The Red Sox had them on the ropes a bit today, down a run heading into the 5th inning. The bats got going for the Rays and they posted a casual little 7-spot en route to a stress-free 9-3 win and 13-0 start to the season, tying the record for the modern era. If I was a man that ate my own boogers, I'd point out "THEY'RE ON PACE FOR 162-0" but I'm not so I'll leave it unsaid. 

If we're being honest, they're a really fun team. Great uniform kit and a fantastic energy to start this season with lots of young talented guys. Find me a better non-vintage throwback uniform than this:

The Rays lost to the Guardians in the Wild Card round last season; they weren't anything outrageously special. They won a solid 86 games but were 3rd in the AL East. I say all this because I'm not sure when exactly they became elite, but they've certainly started the year that way. Will this translate into prolonged success in 2023? Time will tell, it's a long season. Nevertheless, we can enjoy this run while it's happening.

Shane McLanahan is throwing like a certified ace. Wander Franco is following through with what he was hyped up to do last year as a rookie. Randy Arozarena hasn't missed a beat since mashing in the World Baseball Classic. We might just be witnessing a Yandy Diaz breakout season happening before our eyes. Brothers Josh and Brandon Lowe (not actually brothers) are ripping the cover off the ball and posting OPS >1.000. All this has been accomplished without Tyler Glasnow, who's another top end rotation arm if he could ever get/stay healthy. 

They aren't squeaking by and grinding out wins, either. Have the teams they've beat been "good"? Debatable. Regardless, they have a +71 run differential through the first 13 wins. That's absurd and the numbers don't lie - They're showing up and beating asses left and right. They've hit 32 home runs so far which is cool and all, but even cooler when you find out they've only given up 30 runs as a team.

They travel to Toronto tomorrow to face off against Jose Barrios who hasn't been especially sharp in his first two starts (0-2 with an 11.17 ERA). Should they continue their dominant ways they can etch their names into the record books with a 14-0 start, get that out of the way, and focus on winning a pennant.

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