Tampa Bay Rays: 10 Percent of the Season Already Over

Ten percent of the season is in the books for the Tampa Bay Rays, and though they are on track for a 81-81 season, it may not be enough to make the postseason.

It seems like the 2017 MLB season for the Tampa Bay Rays just got here not too long ago.  So it crazy to think that the season is already 10 percent over.  While there are still 145 regular season games to go it is never to early to start projecting out the rest of the season.

The Tampa Bay Rays just finished their 17^th game out of a 162 game schedule.  At this point, they currently sit at a record of 9-8.  If they stay on the same path, they will end the 2017 season with a record of 81-81.  While 81 wins is good it would not be enough to make the playoffs.  To make the playoffs you would need closer to 90 wins.  However, 81 wins would be a huge improvement compared to the 68 wins they got last year when they finished last in the American League East.

The Rays have a few things in their favor that should help them improve their overall winning percentage for the remainder of the season.  For one they are known to have one of the toughest schedules in the MLB for the month of April.  With easier games coming up more wins should be in hand.

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In addition, they have a handful of injured players and some of them should return by the end of the month, but by mid-season they should have a completely healthy roster. Especially with key players like a starting outfielder, catcher, and short stop returning from injuries. Projected to return by the end of the month are shortstop Matt Duffy, outfielder Colby Rasmus, outfielder Mallex Smith and starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi. Then returning by mid-season the player that will have the most impact is 2016 All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos.

These players will be able to produce more runs and help out in a big way defensively.  This season the Tampa Bay Rays have also had a number of errors and pitching miscues that have cost them wins and some games to get out of hand.  While the errors seem to keep happening (Kevin Kiermaier miss judging a line drive to the outfield), it seems like rookie pitcher Austin Pruitt is turning things around and becoming a good pitcher.

So if things can be cleaned up these things alone will help the Rays with a record over .500 and to finish the season with better results than last year and possibly make the playoffs for the first time under manager Kevin Cash.

Next: Rays Sparse Crowd Helps Lead to Victory

While any number of things can happen between now and the end of the season, Rays fans should feel some positives regarding their current record that they have with everything they have had to overcome in regards to injuries.  So make sure to keep watching your Rays to see how they fair the rest of the season.