PHILADELPHIA -- This weekend’s series at Citizens Bank Park doesn’t really matter for the Rays. They have clinched everything they can clinch. They’ll have nearly a week to recover, rest, set their roster and set up their pitching plans before the American League Division Series begins.
But they recognize how much these games matter for the Phillies, who are fighting to hold onto the final National League Wild Card spot. And after dropping their last two games at Yankee Stadium, the Rays aren’t content to just cruise into October.
“Look, these are big games for Major League Baseball. They're big games for us,” manager Kevin Cash said on Friday afternoon. “I wasn't thrilled with how [Thursday night’s loss] ended, and I feel like we want to win some games and do everything we can to put our best foot forward."
The Rays did that, and made life a little more stressful for the Phillies, in a 2-0 win on Friday night.
Philadelphia needed to beat Tampa Bay and see San Diego lose to Arizona later in the night to officially join the postseason field. Instead, the Phillies’ wait continued, and the top-seeded Rays’ record improved to 97-63, matching the 2008 club for the third-most wins in franchise history behind 2021 (100) and ’23 (99).
“I think this is one of the best atmospheres we play in throughout the year -- and obviously a really good team, too,” closer Bryan Baker said. “The more reps we get in that environment, I think, the better. It was really fun to get out there.”
Starter Freddy Peralta punctuated his incredible finish to the regular season by working 5 1/3 scoreless innings against the Phillies. His control wasn’t perfect, as he gave up three walks on top of the four hits he allowed, but it was another argument in favor of putting the veteran right-hander in the postseason rotation.
After a rocky stint with the Mets and a shaky introduction with the Rays, Peralta is 5-0 with a 0.79 ERA over his last six starts.
“I have no complaints,” Peralta said. “I’m just grateful for how I feel right now and the opportunity I’ve been having to join this team.”
And the Rays gave him some early run support. Junior Caminero, Ryan Vilade and Jonny DeLuca strung together three straight singles against left-hander Cristopher Sánchez in the first inning, then Nick Fortes sliced his sixth homer of the season through the wind in the second inning.
“He’s the man,” Peralta said of Fortes, who also caught the Rays’ 13th shutout of the season.
Lefty reliever Cam Booser pulled off an impressive escape act in the sixth. He entered with two runners in scoring position and one out, then retired Bryson Stott and Bryan De La Cruz to escape unscathed. Baker finished the job in the ninth in likely his final outing of regular season, converting his 30th straight save opportunity and tying Cade Smith for the Major League lead with his 41st overall.
“He’s had just one heck of a regular season,” Cash said. “Want to see it continue now in the postseason.”
Injury scare
Getting healthy is obviously a priority for the Rays before the ALDS. Staying healthy is even more important. So there was understandably some concern when speedy sparkplug Chandler Simpson fouled a ball off the top of his right foot and went down in considerable pain in the sixth inning on Friday night.
Simpson walked it off and struck out to finish his at-bat, then remained in the game and returned to left field. He was replaced in the field in the seventh inning, however, as Cedric Mullins entered to play center, shifting DeLuca to right and Vilade to left.
Simpson said he was a little sore after the game, but it wasn’t significant enough to send him for X-rays. Asked if he’ll play the next two games, Simpson said he will see how he feels Saturday morning and go from there.
“A little sore, but I mean, walking around fine on it. That’s a good sign,” Simpson said. “I finished the AB, wanted to see if I could go out in the field and play that half-inning. Just got really sore and wanted to be proactive and not take anything further."
Rodríguez returns
The Rays will have some interesting decisions to make regarding their postseason rotation, with five healthy starters ready for a short series that will likely only require three of them.
They’re also going to have a lot of options to consider for their bullpen. Right-hander Manuel Rodríguez officially joined that conversation on Friday, as he was reinstated from the 15-day injured list (low back strain).
“It feels really good to fully be back 100 percent now,” Rodríguez said through interpreter Kevin Vera. “Right now, we're going into this to kind of get ourselves back into a groove and just help the team in whatever way we can.”