Rays Clinch First, and Payroll Excuses Just Ran Out
The Rays clinched the first 2026 playoff spot in baseball on Junior Caminero's 40th homer, proof a bottom-third payroll can still outrun the Yankees.
Tampa Bay Rays
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Chandler Simpson Is Exactly What MLB's Rules Were Built For
Chandler Simpson is batting .308 with 41 steals for Tampa Bay in 2026, and MLB rewrote its own rulebook to make room for a player exactly like him.
The AL Wild Card 'Chaos' Everyone Has Wrong
Everyone says the AL wild card is a chaotic seven-team pileup while the NL is basically settled. The actual games-back numbers tell a different story entirely.
Orioles Quit on a Playoff Race, Not a Rebuild
The Orioles were 2.5 games from a wild-card spot when they traded Rutschman, Ward, and Wells away in one afternoon. That is not a rebuild. That is surrender.
Mets Trade Freddy Peralta Days After Dealing Minter
The Mets traded Freddy Peralta to the Rays six months after acquiring him, days after dealing A.J. Minter. That's not one bad trade. That's a pattern.
The Rays Are Buying Big, and Nobody's Ready
The Rays already have MLB's best record, and now they're outbidding the Red Sox for Zach Neto too. Buying big isn't a rumor anymore, it's happening.
The Cubs Need Tarik Skubal More Than They Admit
The Cubs, Braves, and Rays are all chasing Tarik Skubal ahead of August 3. Here's why Chicago's contention window makes this the most rational—and riskiest—bet of the deadline.
MLB Killed the Derby Clock and Won't Tell You Why
MLB scrapped the timed Home Run Derby format after 11 years and returned to swing counts. They didn't explain why. They didn't have to.
Three Pitchers Ejected Before a Pitch Was Thrown
Three pitchers ejected before a single pitch at Tropicana Field — two bullpens refused to leave after the anthem, MLB Rule 8.01(b) was invoked.