It’s Major League Baseball postseason time and for the third-straight year, the Tampa Bay Rays will be watching from home.
It’s been a while since the Rays have played in October, but officials are confident they can put the disappointing 2016 season behind them and return the club to glory.
The 2016 season featured highs.
And lows.
Unfortunately for the Rays, too many lows.
“We’re incredibly disappointed with the season, and especially how it went south so early," Rays President of Baseball Operations Matt Silverman said. "It’s a talented club. And there were several bright spots that give us a lot of hope going into next year, but when you’re 25 games out of first place, there aren’t enough bright spots.
Injuries played a big part in the Rays 68-94 record. So did a disappointing bullpen. Rays management is confident with the core of players, but admit, changes will have to be made in order for the team to become contenders again.
“It’s our responsibility, my responsibility to do whatever you can to create a winning atmosphere, a positive atmosphere," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I think we’ve created the positive atmosphere. We haven’t got to the winning we’re capable of. And I shoulder a lot of that, and the staff does, we all do.
"We take a lot of responsibility in the lack of wins over this last season.”
So while the playoffs start without them, the Tampa Bay Rays can only look to the future.
“We’re motivated," Silverman said. "We are hellbent on getting this team back into contention.”