Rays Clinch Fourth Straight Playoff Berth With Win Over Astros

With a win over the Astros, the Rays have officially clinched a playoff spot for the fourth straight season.

Tampa Bay is coming off two straight AL East Division titles, but the Yankees claimed that honor this year. Instead, the Rays will have to settle for a wild-card berth, their second in four years.

As usual, Tampa Bay (86–71) has had success with a rotating selection of players as a number of players have stepped up this year. Most notably, pitcher Shane McClanahan built off his breakout 2021 with an even better ’22 season, accumulating a 2.51 ERA in 161.1 inning pitched. Drew Rasmussen and Jeffrey Springs also put up sub-3.00 ERAs in the rotation, while Corey Kluber has made a stable…