ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Up five with 10 to play. Field Level Media said that phrase was bandied about after Thursday's 10-1 win over the Athletics, and it is the number that frames everything the Rays do this weekend.
The victory completed a three-game sweep - Tampa Bay's majors-best 16th series sweep of the season - and stretched the American League East lead to five games over the idle New York Yankees, the Associated Press and Field Level Media reported. The Rays are 93-59, have won six straight, and already own a postseason berth.
What they still want is the division flag, home-field control in October, and a clean stretch against the clubs that sit between them and that goal.
Friday begins that stretch. Boston opens a three-game visit at Tropicana Field, then New York arrives for four games next week before Tampa Bay closes at Philadelphia.
Homestand math and Cash's frame
Manager Kevin Cash pointed to the feel the club wants carrying into October after Thursday's win. The Rays improved to 53-25 at home and to 6-0 on the current nine-game homestand. Cash told Field Level Media the group still has work left, but that doing it at home is a welcome turn.
Chandler Simpson stole two bases Thursday to reach 44 on the season and raised his average to an American League-best .311 with two hits. Field Level Media noted he is chasing a rare AL double - leading the league in batting average and stolen bases in the same season - last done by Jose Altuve in 2014 and Ichiro Suzuki in 2001.
Liam Hicks, Richie Palacios and Taylor Walls also drove in runs during a six-run fourth that buried Oakland.
Drew Rasmussen worked five scoreless innings for his 15th win. The Associated Press noted Tampa Bay has won his last 11 starts, the longest such AL stretch out of the All-Star break since Johan Santana in 2006. That kind of starter form is exactly what Cash means by feeling good heading into October.
Red Sox arrive with their own October math
Boston (83-70) salvaged Thursday's finale in Texas on Trevor Story's three-run homer, avoiding a sweep and keeping its wild-card cushion intact. Field Level Media put the Red Sox' magic number to clinch a playoff berth at three. They hold the AL's No. 2 wild-card spot, 5 1/2 games behind the Yankees and five ahead of Cleveland.
