Despite the injuries, Rays able to find their stride in June
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- If April was the month of discovery and May the month of survival with so many big names parked on the disabled list, then call June the month for their liftoff.
Ground control, the Tampa Bay Rays have no problem with where they stand in the American League East.
While Stanley Cup Final fever struck most of the region in June's opening weeks, the first-place Rays found their stride. While most eyes throughout the area were fixed on a different shade of blue in downtown Tampa, the first-place Rays kept winning ... and winning ... and winning.
Yeah, with the ice gone and the pucks packed away for the summer, it's time to turn attention to the team that calls Tropicana Field home. And my, June has been kind.
With a victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, the Rays clinched a winning record in June for the first time since 2011, when they went 16-11. Even with a 1-0 loss to Toronto in 12 innings Wednesday, they stand 15-8 for the month and 41-33 overall with five more games against the Boston Red Sox (three) and Cleveland Indians (two) before the calendar flips to July.
Pick a highlight, any highlight, from the past three weeks. June has featured three four-game winning streaks and only one instance of two consecutive losses. June has featured surprise contributions at the plate (Joey Butler and Logan Forsythe) and dominant displays on the mound (Chris Archer). June has featured the Rays' largest AL East lead this late in a season since they closed the 2008 campaign with a two-game cushion over the Red Sox.
"We've been playing incredible baseball," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Very clean. We catch the ball. We pitch really well, and for the most part, we get a lot of timely hits. That's a pretty good recipe for going on those runs. We played some good teams and played well against them."
Remember when a lengthy disabled list stood as Tampa Bay's top story? With the gains made in June, the Rays have shifted the discussion from what they'll do about all the injuries to what they have done to thrive.
Credit the patchwork rotation. Credit a bullpen that became stronger with Jake McGee's return in May. Credit faces such as Butler and Forsythe.
The liftoff has been impressive.
How high can they go?
Time will show, but this far from Opening Day, there are few accidents in the standings. Entering Wednesday, the Rays held a two-game lead in the AL East for the first time since the end of play on May 17, 2011. The climb has been gradual, with them going 12-10 in April and 14-15 in May. To start June, they were 26-25 and tied for first in the division with the New York Yankees. Still, there was a wobbly-cart feel to life because of spotty hitting and the rotation injuries.
But recently, the Rays have stabilized. They've transformed from a feel-good story into a for-real one.
The liftoff has been impressive.
How long can they fly?
"All-around, if we've slacked in some areas, other guys have picked us up, especially the bullpen," Forsythe said. "Our pitching has been really good. We've had some timely hits. Defense has been pretty solid all year."
The trick, of course, will be maintaining their all-around play within a league that rewards endurance. Despite Tampa Bay's strides this month, only three games separated the AL East's top four teams entering play Wednesday. The difference marked the closest the division's top four teams had been on the date since divisional play began in 1969.
The Yankees are trying to beat Father Time, and so far, they've turned back the clock. The Blue Jays boast a powder-keg offense, and if they can achieve stability with their pitching, then look out. The Baltimore Orioles are proven winners, and if they can stay close, then they own the perspective necessary to be dangerous late. Only the Red Sox have faded.
The Rays also must hope that their bullpen doesn't run on empty come August. Tampa Bay relievers began Wednesday with a major-league-high 245 innings pitched. It's unreasonable to ask the bullpen to maintain that grueling pace. Starters must go deeper, but the outlook should improve when Matt Moore and Jake Odorizzi return.
The liftoff has been impressive.
How will the future look?
Interesting, to start. The end? These surprise Rays want to make it memorable.
"We'll keep working," center fielder Kevin Kiermaier said. "We'll show up to the field, and we'll expect to win."
Because of a healthy June, they expect to soar more.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
