Tampa Bay Rays' July struggles continue with drop in power rankings

The Tampa Bay Rays are in a funk this July. That should not be a secret at this point. The team's great start is well within the rearview mirror as the season gets toward the final two months.

In July, the Rays record is 4-14. This includes a 7-game losing streak leading into the All-Star break. The only series win Tampa Bay has had during this time was against the Kansas City Royals back on July 15th and 16th. 

With the second half of the season just commencing, the MLB tweeted their latest power rankings that showed the Rays dropping to third.

Tampa Bay Rays fall in MLB.com's power rankings

The power rankings also show that the Baltimore Orioles have hopped over the Rays for the second-place spot on the list. This comes after the Orioles completed a series win over Tampa Bay that saw them take three out of four games in Tropicana Field. That moved Baltimore's record to 6-3 against the Rays this season. 

The Tampa Bay Rays also find themselves without the lead in the AL East and now are 2.5 games back from the Orioles in second place. They also are four games ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays, who hold the last wild card spot in the American League. 

The struggles during the dog days of July brought the Rays back to Earth. They now have a quick two-game series in Tropicana Field against the Miami Marlins. The Marlins are in a major skid themselves. They are losers of 10 out of their last 13. 

The first pitch for game one of the series will be Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. E.T.