Tampa Bay Rays

With the postseason field set, baseball fans can now look forward to watching the Texas Rangers take on the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round of the MLB postseason during Wild Card week.

Following Sunday's results, the two 90-plus win squads found out that they'll be facing each other in one of the most anticipated battles of the entire postseason.

After getting off to a historically great start, Tampa Bay cooled off just a bit in the middle of the campaign and eventually got surpassed by the Baltimore Orioles and their young, talented core.

Despite winning 99 games, it just wasn't enough to clinch an AL East crown.

They'll still be viewed as one of the favorites to come out of the American League given their wealth of postseason experience.

As for the Rangers, they were involved in one of the most tightly-contested divisional races in recent memory with the Houston Astros that went down to the final day of the regular season.

The two teams finished tied at 90-72 but Houston held the tiebreaker against its in-state Rival, clinching the division and a first-round bye.

Texas now finds itself having one of the toughest draws of any postseason squad.

MLB fans are more hyped about this one than any other Wild Card series.

Rays vs Rangers #WildCard Series

Tues. - Game 1 - 3:08 p.m. (ABC)
Wed. - Game 2 - 3:08 p.m. (ABC)
Thurs. - Game 3* - 3:08 p.m. (ABC)

— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) October 1, 2023

What a crazy ride… and i mean crazy ride. for the first time since 2016 the Rangers will be playing Postseason Baseball starting Tuesday vs the Tampa Bay Rays. It’s been hard but we finally got here what a amazing season going from a 68 win season in 2022 to 90 win season this… pic.twitter.com/cP2k3fhEvw

— TXRangersUpdates (16-17) (@TXRUpdates) October 1, 2023

RAYS VS RANGERS WILD CARD SERIES!!! 🥳🥳👏👏

— 💙⚾️ Christina/Elizabeth 💙💥 (@TBRaysTwins) October 1, 2023

Rays vs Rangers Wild card week is gonna be sooo good

— mario jonathan (@supermario_257) October 1, 2023

Good ole rangers vs rays matchup just like in 2010 and 2011 https://t.co/CWh5fhZ6Ri

— David Patino (@david_patin0) October 1, 2023

It’s official, Rangers vs Rays at the trop for the wildcard. Bring it on

— RebuildSZN (@OuterspaceJ) October 1, 2023

2010 Texas Rangers: 90-72, beat the Rays in the first round of the playoffs. Go to World Series

2023 Texas Rangers: 90-72 play the Rays in the first round of the playoffs. ????

👀

— Ance🌵🦅🦅 (@ancelarmstrong_) October 1, 2023

Rangers-Rays wild card series pic.twitter.com/bW6os1Alg9

— Roman (@BadNewsJays) October 1, 2023

My favorite games heading into #MLB Wild Card week

Rangers/Rays
Marlins/Phillies

WE HAVE POSTSEASON BASEBALL FOLKS!!

— Nicky Buckeye (@nickybuckeye) October 1, 2023

WOuld have much rather Miami play the Brewers but excited to see that young team, also Rangers v. Rays is insane https://t.co/9zr5x59ALb

— Rob (@RobertP4994) October 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/713SOD/status/1708626252968390706

The Rangers and Rays have a bit of postseason history, with the two teams meeting up back in both 2010 and 2011. Texas came out on top in both series as they were undergoing one of the most successful periods in franchise history, making it to the World Series in each of those seasons.

The latest chapter will begin Tuesday at 3:08 p.m. ET on ABC.

The Tampa Bay Rays are calling up their top prospect.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the team is calling up infielder Junior Caminero from the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits.

BREAKING: The Tampa Bay Rays are calling up top infield prospect Junior Caminero, sources tell ESPN. Caminero, 20, will make the leap from AA, where he was hitting .309/.373/.548 with 20 HR in 314 ABs.

News, free and unlocked, at ESPN: https://t.co/HcW0hWxrpJ

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 22, 2023

Caminero is listed as the team's No. 1 prospect and the No. 6 overall prospect in MLB, per MLB.com. He is hitting .324 with 31 home runs and 94 RBI across 117 games between Single-A and Double-A in 2023.

The 20-year-old signed with the Minnesota Twins as an international free agent before being traded to the Rays in 2021. He has a 6'1", 157-pound frame and was expected to be ready for the 2024 season.

Instead he will get his first taste of MLB action early as he looks to help the Rays gain better positioning in the postseason picture. They are 94-60 and are 1.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. They hold the top wild-card spot and join the Orioles as teams who have clinched a playoff spot.

They are currently set to host a wild-card series but are playing for more than that. The winner of the division will grab the No. 1 seed in the AL and a first-round bye, which would be a great opportunity to allow for some proper rest before a competitive ALDS.

Caminero could be a great reinforcement for the Rays, who have lost three of their last five games. The team has two series against the Toronto Blue Jays and two other games against the Boston Red Sox remaining on the schedule.

The long-running saga over the long-term home of the Tampa Bay Rays has reached a conclusion.

The Rays on Tuesday morning released a render for their new stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida:

Get ready for a whole new gameday experience. #HereToStay | @histgasplantstp @StPeteFL @vspc

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 19, 2023

The Rays have announced a new stadium deal for St. Petersburg. The new stadium is planned to be ready for Opening Day in 2028.

via @RaysBaseball pic.twitter.com/rp90YZ5ztu

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 19, 2023

The $1.3 billion and 30,000-seat stadium will be built in St. Petersburg's Historic Gas Plant District near the present site of Tropicana Field. The goal is to have it completed in time for the 2028 MLB season.

"This will be a transformative project for the Rays, St. Petersburg and Pinellas County," principal owner Stuart Sternberg said in Tuesday's announcement. "We have proudly served as Tampa Bay's Major League team for 25 years, and we are thrilled to be in position to do so for decades and generations to come."

The Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin first reported Monday that the Rays would announce a deal for a new stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida. The cost will be shared between the Rays, St. Petersburg and Pinellas County, per Topkin.

For years, Sternberg has tried in vain to find a worthwhile solution to the franchise's stadium issue. As far back as at least 2010, he was planting the seeds of a possible relocation in the absence of a plan.

Rays ownership even went so far as to propose having the team split a season between the Tampa region and Montreal, an idea that failed to gain the necessary approval inside MLB.

While nearly all MLB fans will agree Tropicana isn't a suitable home for the Rays, Topkin's report may not garner universal approval.

Critics will point to how public subsidies for sports stadiums are historically a bad deal for whatever municipalities are involved. LoanDepot Park a few hours south of St. Petersburg is a glittering example.

Constructing the new Rays stadium near Tropicana Field would seemingly maintain one hurdle for fans that has kept them away in the first place.

FanGraphs' Michael Lortz pointed out in 2015 how the population within a 30-minute radius of Tropicana Field was relatively small. The typical traffic around Tampa can be enough to put off those who otherwise might have been interested in attending Rays games.

Starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow reflected in 2021 that "nobody wants to come over the bridge and sit in traffic for three hours—or not that long."

Perhaps the wider redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District will help to address that underlying problem by drawing more people to the area.

"We think there's a number of things that are going to allow us to materially increase attendance going forward," team president Brian Auld said Tuesday. "The first is that we're going to have a better ballpark surrounded by a world-class destination, so we expect more people to come to enjoy that incredible ballpark and all the wonderful things we're going to have around it."

If nothing else, Tuesday's announcement allows Rays fans to breath a sigh of relief because the team won't be going anywhere for the foreseeable future.

The Cleveland Guardians' win over the Texas Rangers Sunday afternoon was good news for more than just one fanbase.

The Rangers loss also secured the Tampa Bay Rays' spot in to the 2023 postseason picture.

The Rays are now the eighth team since 1995 to earn playoff berths in five consecutive seasons. The historic accomplishment earned the team praise from sports fans across X, formerly known as Twitter.

LET’S GOOOO 😤

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) September 17, 2023

✨ RAYS CLINCH ✨

Great day for Tampa Bay w our @RaysBaseball clinching a spot in the playoffs, and our @Buccaneers winning a great game!!#RaysUp #GoBucs

— Brian Fink 🎙 (@brianfink) September 17, 2023

Good Day Tampa Bay! First the Bucs, then the Rays clinch the playoffs and are in a battle for the division with two weeks to go. #RaysUp #MLB #BoysOfSummer https://t.co/OVYFlcMUGK

— Lee Dobbins (@CoachDobbinsSCD) September 17, 2023

They’re still battling in extra innings right now but the Orioles and Rays have both clinched playoff berths!

The fight for the division may be down to the wire but we’ll see both of these electric teams in the postseason. pic.twitter.com/SJIxmT3PBu

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) September 17, 2023

Man it feels so good pic.twitter.com/6qmn8SzUHW

— matt (@OCPDesigns) September 17, 2023

After tying a modern MLB record with 13 straight wins to start the season, some fans are already wondering if this team could make more history by claiming the franchise's first World Series title.

https://twitter.com/Mat_Germain_/status/1703504604007223417

This is the Year the Rays Win the World Series LFG #RaysUp https://t.co/6SLir4cJ3a

— Mr.Smith (@Mrsmithgobucs) September 17, 2023

The Rays join the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles as the first teams to secure their tickets to the 2023 playoffs.

Now Tampa Bay will fight to finish atop the AL East, although their chances were hurt by Sunday's 5-4 loss in a potential ALDS preview against the Orioles.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is facing another formal complaint that he had a relationship with another minor, per ESPN's Juan Recio (h/t ESPN's Jeff Passan).

Passan noted the first formal complaint against Franco was filed on July 17 to the specialized prosecutor's office for boys, girls and adolescents that investigates crimes against children in the Dominican Republic.

This second formal complaint is the third such allegation made against Franco.

According to Passan, the specialized prosecutor's office hopes to talk to Franco in the near future and is also investigating the third alleged relationship even though the third girl has not formally spoken to authorities.

Major League Baseball placed the 22-year-old on paid administrative leave on Aug. 22 and is continuing to investigate the situation. Prior to being placed on administrative leave, Franco was placed on the restricted list.

He last played on Aug. 12 during Tampa Bay's victory over the Cleveland Guardians.

"We support Major League Baseball's decision to place Wander Franco on administrative leave," the Rays said in a statement when Franco was placed on administrative leave. "The Tampa Bay Rays are dedicated to upholding high standards of integrity both on and off the field. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our fans and supporters as this process unfolds."

Passan previously reported that Tampa Bay continued to pay the shortstop when he was on the restricted list even though it wasn't required to do so.

Evan Drellich of The Athletic reported at the time Franco was placed on administrative leave that his "postseason eligibility has not been ruled out" amid MLB's investigation.

Major League Baseball placed Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco on administrative leave "until further notice" amid an investigation into social media posts that made allegations about a relationship he had with a minor, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Wander Franco's administrative leave has now been made official by MLB and the MLBPA. Franco, according to the release, is on leave "until further notice." The league's release notes that admin leave is not disciplinary. Franco will continue to be paid and accrue service on it.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 22, 2023

Statement from The Tampa Bay Rays: https://t.co/b5NYMuUj2y pic.twitter.com/2GMQbqrd7S

— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) August 22, 2023

MLB Insider Hector Gomez reported a different minor filed a complaint against Franco in the Dominican Republic—where he is now also under investigation, per the Associated Press—on August 14.

According to The Athletic's Evan Drellich, Franco's postseason eligibility "has not been ruled out."

Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reported on Aug. 13 that the Rays confirmed the league was investigating the relationship alleged on social media.

Passan noted on the same day that Franco did not travel with the team to San Francisco for a series against the Giants. Passan then reported on Aug. 14 that the Rays placed the shortstop on the restricted list amid MLB's investigation.

Being on the restricted list meant Franco was no longer on the roster.

Passan noted Tampa Bay continued to pay him even though teams are not required to do so when players are on the restricted list.

Franco did not play in the Rays' Aug. 13 loss to the Cleveland Guardians and left the dugout in the fifth inning. Manager Kevin Cash told reporters: "I'm aware of the speculation, and I'm not going to comment any further on that. The day off was because (it was) a day off."

The Rays also released a statement, which said: "During today's game, we were made aware of the social media posts that are circulating regarding Wander Franco. We take the situation seriously and are in close contact with Major League Baseball as it conducts its due diligence."

Franco is under contract with the Rays through 2032 with a club option for 2033.

While MLB's investigation into Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco's alleged relationship with a minor remains ongoing, there are already indications that his playing career is in jeopardy.

A source familiar with the situation told MLB insider Héctor Gómez, "It will be very unlikely that Wander Franco will play in MLB again, judging by the results of the investigations that are currently being carried out, which directly commit him to the accusations against him."

TMZ reported that "social media posts emerged over the weekend that allegedly showed [Franco] in an inappropriate relationship with a minor." The Rays placed him on the restricted list Monday, and he hasn't appeared in a game since Saturday.

In addition to the MLB investigation, ESPN reported Wednesday that a prosecutor in the Dominican Republic said Franco is the subject of an investigation conducted by the National Agency for Boys, Girls, Adolescents and Family and Gender Violence Unit, which is a division specializing in minors and gender violence in the province of Peravia.

"This is a very delicate topic because there is a minor involved. We are working together [with Judge Olga Diná Llaverías]," prosecutor Ángel Darío Tejeda Fabal told the Associated Press.

Llaverías is a specialist in child abuse cases. Fabal added that the investigation is in the early stages and they are still in the process of gathering evidence.

"Next week, we might be able to give some of the necessary information without hurting the investigation," he said.

Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract with the Rays in November 2021. The 22-year-old is hitting .281/.344/.457 with 17 home runs and 58 RBI this season.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is reportedly under investigation by a special division in the Dominican Republic.

According to Martín Adames Alcántara of the Associated Press, a division that specializes in minors and gender violence is investigating his alleged relationship with a minor.

Ángel Darío Tejeda Fabal, who is a prosecutor in the Dominican Republic, said he has not been in contact with Major League Baseball or authorities in the United States. He also explained the investigation was opened under the National Agency for Boys, Girls, Adolescents and Family and Gender Violence Unit.

Tampa Bay placed Franco on the restricted list on Monday as MLB opened an investigation into social media posts regarding the alleged nature of his relationship with a minor.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the Rays are still paying the shortstop even though they are not required to while he is on the restricted list.

"The Tampa Bay Rays and Wander Franco have mutually agreed that he will go on the Restricted List and take leave from the Club for the duration of the current road trip," the team said in a statement.

Franco is under contract with Tampa Bay through 2032 with a club option for 2033.

The Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly going to be without pitcher Shane McClanahan for a significant amount of time.

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the left-hander is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery on Monday. The surgery will "likely" force him to miss the entire 2024 campaign in addition to the rest of this year.

McClanahan has not pitched since he left an Aug. 2 outing against the New York Yankees after just four innings.

On Saturday, the Associated Press reported the Rays moved him to the 60-day injured list, which signaled the end of his season. The AP also noted he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2016 when he was pitching for the University of South Florida.

Injuries to the pitching rotation are nothing new for Tampa Bay this season with Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen and Shane Baz also out for the year.

But this one is particularly difficult, as McClanahan can be one of the best pitchers in the league when he is on top of his game.

He was an All-Star for the second consecutive season this year and had an 11-2 record, 3.29 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 121 strikeouts in 115 innings prior to his injury. He was even better last season with a 2.54 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 194 strikeouts in 166.1 innings.

Tampa Bay will miss his presence during the pennant chase and all of next season, but he is still just 26 years old and under contract through the 2027 campaign. He will have time to bounce back assuming he returns to full health.

Meanwhile, the Rays are in the middle of a playoff chase and three games behind the first-place Baltimore Orioles in the American League East. They are also leading the AL wild-card chase and in position to reach the postseason.

The Tampa Bay Rays placed shortstop Wander Franco on the restricted list Monday amid an MLB investigation into social media posts involving him from Sunday, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The team released a statement that said, "The Tampa Bay Rays and Wander Franco have mutually agreed that he will go on the Restricted List and take leave from the Club for the duration of the current road trip."

According to TMZ, "social media posts emerged over the weekend that allegedly showed [Franco] in an inappropriate relationship with a minor."

Franco did not play in Sunday's 9-2 loss against the Cleveland Guardians, and Passan reported that he didn't travel with the team to San Francisco for the Rays' series against the Giants. Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said that Franco's absence from Sunday's game was not related to the investigation.

"I'm aware of the speculation, and I'm not going to comment any further on that," Cash said after Sunday's loss. "The day off was because [it was] a day off."

The Rays called up Osleivis Basabe to start at shortstop on Sunday against the Guardians. Per Passan, Basabe found out he'd be making his MLB debut on Saturday night during his game with Triple-A Durham.

Franco, who was selected to his first All-Star Game this season, is hitting .281/.344/.457 with 17 home runs and 58 RBI. The 22-year-old signed an 11-year, $182 million contract with the Rays in November 2021, and the deal could reach as high as $223 million if the team exercises its option in 2033.