Well that could have gone better.

The Rays had won their first series in over a month and were winners of two straight games and were four outs away from their 3rd straight victory when Cal Raleigh suddenly remembered he was an MVP candidate and proceed to dump the Rays playoff chances over the course of the three game series in Seattle.

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Now the Rays travel down to Sacramento to take on the Athletics having lost three straight games. The Rays record has fallen to 57-62 and they are now 5.5 games back in the Wild Card chase.

Meanwhile, the Athletics are 53-67, which is the 2nd worst record in the American League. However, they have two of the front runners for the Rookie of the Year award with Nick Kurtz likely being the unanimous winner. The 22-year old first baseman made his big league debut in April after only 151 plate appearances in the minor leagues following his selection at 4th overall in the 2024 draft. Kurtz enters play on Monday hitting .305/.387/.628 with 23 HR and has registered a 174 wRC+ over 329 PA.

Other players to watch for on the Athletics roster, which features four players with at least 20 HR this season: Brent Rooker (24 HR | 131 wRC+ | 2.5 fWAR), Shea Langelier (23 HR | 129 wRC+ | 3.3 | 2.8 fWAR), and Tyler Soderstrom (21 HR | 118 wRC+ | 1.8 fWAR).

The pitching has held the Athletics from being a .500 team as their offense, good as it is, has been unable to carry the team. Luis Severino, their marquee free agent signing, has been solid but not an ace. While newcomers Jacob Lopez and Jeffrey Spring acquired from the Rays have been a dependable couple of arms in the rotation. The team no longer has Mason Miller as he was dealt to the Padres at the trade deadline along with JP Sears, so now it’s very much a question as to who will take the rubber for any situation.

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Frivolities

The top players by career bWAR to have played for the Rays and Athletics

The Rays best player offensively against the Athletics all-time (min. 25 PA):

Geoff Blum: .429/.538/.762 with 1 HR over 27 PA

The next four are Jose Siri, Josh Phelps, Greg Norton, & Francisco Mejia

The Rays most previous transacation with the Athletics

12/14/24: Rays trade Jacob Lopez & Jeffrey Springs to the Athletics for Will Simpson, Jacob Watters, & Joe Boyle

The Rays first transaction with the Athletics

7/28/00: Rays trade Todd Belitz & Jim Mecir to the Athletics for Jesus Colome

Probable pitchers are projected by MLB

GAME ONE

Monday, August 11th
10:05 pm EDT

RHP Ryan Pepiot vs LHP Jeffrey Springs

GAME TWO

Tuesday, August 12th
10:05 pm EDT

RHP Shane Baz vs LHP Jacob Lopez

GAME THREE

Wednesday, August 13th
10:05 pm EDT

RHP Drew Rasmussen vs RHP J.T. Ginn