The Tampa Bay Rays have made the most of their temporary digs, winning seven of their first 12 games at Steinbrenner Field, their minor league waystation after hurricanes damaged their Tropicana Field home.
The Tampa location has made it convenient for a large segment of their fan base, who have enjoyed a bay area rarity: Outdoor major league baseball. Yet the next week will test the ticket-buying resolve of area fans given who’s coming to Dale Mabry Highway: The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.
Both enjoyed partisan support at Tropicana Field and it was the Yankees who magnanimously enabled the Rays to use Steinbrenner Field, their spring training base, for this year only. And at this early stage of the season, the entire AL East is within 2 ½ games of each other.
The Rays are hanging on in the middle of USA TODAY Sports’ MLB power rankings, with the Yankees and Red Sox both slipping from earlier, loftier positions. This week, in a sense, kicks off what should be a very tight division race – starting off with split loyalties in a cozy, 10,000-seat park.
A look at our updated rankings:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)
Tommy Tanks still leading the team in home runs.
2. San Diego Padres (+2)
At 13-3, their record’s almost better than the Chargers’ ever was.
3. Philadelphia Phillies (-1)
In a 2-for-33 hole, Alec Bohm’s opening-day heroics seem a long time ago.
4. New York Mets (+2)
Jose Siri likely headed for the injured list.
5. New York Yankees (-2)
Rotation gets Clarke Schmidt back this week.
6. Texas Rangers (-1)
Kumar Rocker has allowed 18 hits in 11 ⅓ innings.
7. San Francisco Giants (+1)
Can they get by with a two-man offense of Jung-Hoo Lee and Wilmer Flores? Working so far.
8. Detroit Tigers (+1)
Jackson Jobe retires 17 of final 18 batters for first career win.
9. Chicago Cubs (+3)
By April 23, they’ll be done with the Dodgers and Padres for the season.
10. Arizona Diamondbacks (-3)
Corbin Carroll already leads the majors with 1.3 WAR.
11. Toronto Blue Jays (+3)
Finish nine-game trip by winning four of final six.
12. Kansas City Royals (+1)
Reliever Hunter Harvey will be out a while with a teres major strain.
13. Boston Red Sox (-2)
Garrett Crochet’s near no-no on return to Chicago halts 1-5 slide.
14. Baltimore Orioles (-4)
Inability to use Felix Bautista on consecutive days bites them.
15. Houston Astros (-)
As envisioned last winter, Isaac Paredes finds the Crawford Boxes in consecutive games.
16. Tampa Bay Rays (-)
Getting five no-hit innings from spot starter Joe Boyle is So Very Rays.
17. Los Angeles Angels (+3)
What a weapon Kyren Paris has been: Five steals, five homers, a 1.309 OPS.
18. Seattle Mariners (-)
Bringing back Jorge Polanco looking astute.
19. St. Louis Cardinals (+2)
Nolan Arenado just chilling with a .282 average, .802 OPS.
20. Milwaukee Brewers (+2)
Chad Patrick has given up just one run in 14 ⅓ innings as a starter.
21. Cincinnati Reds (+3)
We’ll be the first to say it: Hunter Greene, All-Star Game starter.
22. Cleveland Guardians (+1)
Have won four of six against Royals already.
23. Atlanta Braves (-6)
Middle of the pack in ERA, 29th in runs scored. Is it really this bad?
24. Minnesota Twins (-5)
Only series win so far against White Sox.
25. Washington Nationals (-)
Win series against Dodgers – then lose one to Marlins.
26. Miami Marlins (-)
Relievers walking nearly as many batters (37) as they’re striking out (43).
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)
-28 run differential better than only the Rockies.
28. Athletics (-)
Still no sellouts in Yolo County since opening day.
29. Colorado Rockies (-)
Save for four home-run balls, Chase Dollander looking fabulous through two starts.
30. Chicago White Sox (-)
Leadoff batter Miguel Vargas is 8 for 54 this season.
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