While the Bucs’ season got off to a disappointing start with a loss in Cincinnati, the American League-best Rays completed a sweep of the Astros. The Rays plated two touchdowns worth of runs to keep them in great position to win the division title,
Freddy Peralta got the start and while he wasn’t quite as sharp as his last few starts, still pitched five no-hit innings and struck out four, while walking three batters. With an 11-0 lead and Peralta at 86 pitches, it created a good opportunity to give Brody Hopkins his MLB debut.
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Hopkins showed off his electric fastball/curveball combo, but did get touched by a two-run homer from old friend Isaac Paredes. He got Yainer Diaz swinging to record his first big league strikeout.
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Jonathan Aranda crossed the 20-home run mark for the first time in his career. He ranks seventh among all first basemen in wRC+ (132) since the start of the 2025 season.
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Richie Palacios, who has been one of the team’s hottest hitters as of late, went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer. If Palacios can continue his production into October, it would go a long way towards lengthening this lineup.
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Victor Mesa Jr. went 3-for-5, and was just a homer short of hitting for the cycle. I still find myself in disbelief that Mesa Jr. has been this good for the Rays, but he’s been arguably the best hitter in baseball in the month of September.
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Nick Fortes even got in on the action with his fifth long ball of the year.
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Sunday’s win mean the Rays hold on to their four-game lead atop the AL East, heading into an off day on Monday. They’ll continue their homestand on Tuesday against the Athletics, with Griffin Jax likely to take the mound in the series opener.
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