Rays Scorecard

Team Synopsis: Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays, established in 1998, are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. They are part of the American League East division. The Rays play their home games at Tropicana Field and are known for their innovative approaches to player development and analytics. Despite being one of the smallest market teams in MLB, the Rays have achieved considerable success, including multiple playoff appearances and a trip to the World Series in 2008 and 2020.

Interesting Factoid: The Rays were the first team in MLB history to wear a black uniform when they debuted their alternate black jerseys in 1998.

Less Known Fact: The Rays have a unique history with their name, as they were originally called the "Tampa Bay Devil Rays" until the team dropped "Devil" from their name in 2008, reflecting a new direction for the franchise. The change was also associated with a shift in team performance, as the Rays became more competitive in the following years.

Performance Analysis: April 2017

In April 2017, the Tampa Bay Rays experienced a mixed bag of performances, finishing the month with an overall record of 14 wins and 10 losses.

• They started strong against the New York Yankees, winning two of three games in their initial series.
• The Rays continued their momentum with a series of wins against the Toronto Blue Jays, showcasing their offensive capabilities with a notable 10-5 victory on April 14.
• They faced some struggles against perennial rivals like the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, losing several games in tight contests.
• The Rays had a standout performance at home, particularly against teams like the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians, where they demonstrated their ability to score heavily, including a 12-4 win against the Indians on May 10.

Overall, the month highlighted the Rays' resilience, with several come-from-behind wins and a strong offensive showing, but also revealed vulnerabilities against stronger opponents in their division. Updated: August 19, 2025 at 11:55 AM