Baseball History Tells Us the Tampa Bay Rays Are Going to the World Series
The Tampa Bay Rays have been to the World Series twice in franchise history but have never won the title.
Baseball history tells us they will get another chance to raise the trophy this year.
Per @OptaSTATS on Twitter:
Only six teams in the Modern Era (since 1901) have had a better record through their first 40 home games than the @RaysBaseball team's 32-8 (.800) mark this season.
Of those six, only one failed to make the World Series that year, with three of the remaining five going on to win.
So 83 percent of the teams that have had a better home record than the Rays went onto make the World Series, those are some pretty good odds for Tampa.
In addition to being stellar at home, the Rays have the best overall record in baseball as well. Currently at 52-25, they lead the American League East by five games over the Baltimore Orioles.
Tampa has speed, power and depth, but that depth has been tested this year. If the Rays are to fall short of the World Series, injuries could be the reason why. Their pitching has taken significant dents as Drew Rasmussen is out for an extended period of time and Jeffrey Springs is out for the season.
Tampa should get a chance to add to its overall win total and its home dominance this weekend as they start a series with the hapless Kansas City Royals.
The Royals come in at a lowly 20-54, which is the second-worst record in baseball.
Game one of the series is on Thursday at 6:40 p.m. ET.
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