ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The last time the Tampa Bay Rays played a home game at least this late in the year while still in position to make the playoffs, it was September 2013, so there is an excitement as the Rays return to Tropicana Field for the first time since the All-Star break for a three-game series against the Texas Rangers.
The Rays (51-45) are in line for the American League’s first wild card, sitting just 2 1/2 games behind the division-leading Boston Red Sox and one game up on the New York Yankees. Tampa Bay has won four of six since the All-Star break, building a momentum that would only grow with success in a six-game homestand.