ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays are learning to adapt, as all good teams are forced to do over the course of a long season. Their starting lineup is without several of its key pieces due to injury, their bullpen has been taxed both physically and mentally, something that negatively affects their opener pitching strategy.
But it is times like these when the best teams compensate by making the most of other opportunities, whether its a unsung player rising to the occasion or the players who remain doing a little extra.
This weekend’s series against the upstart Minnesota Twins, who entered Saturday with the majors’ best record, at Tropicana Field offers its own unique test of gauging how the Rays matchup against another potential playoff contender.