ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays were contenders for most of the 2017 season. Unfortunately, the ending didn't match the midseason optimism created by this year's squad.
Finding themselves at seven games above .500 (51-44) and two games out of first place in the American League East on July 18, the Rays had reason to believe they could reach the postseason if they continued their steady ascent.
Then they dropped five in a row. And despite management's decision to make some moves to bolster the team, the team never got back in stride. But Tampa Bay had some good moments, showed improvement from 2016, and the impressions those moments made allows for optimism going forward.