PHOENIX — A record-tying, opening two-week run, a slew of players making marked improvements in their games, and team-first and next-man-up philosophies were primary identifying characteristics of the Rays’ remarkable performance through the first 81 games.
To suggest they can do the same over the second half of the season would seem to be asking a lot, especially as they finished the first in a bit of a funk, losing seven of their last 12 before falling again on Tuesday in their 82nd game.
But the math is easy, so here are 10 numbers showing what a full season at the same pace the Rays produced in the first half (through 81 games) would look like:
104
Wins
That would be four more than the team-record 100 in 2021 and match the ninth-most for an American League team in the expansion era (since 1961).
902
Runs
Most in team history (857 in 2021) and a spectacular improvement over last season’s anemic 666, and — credit to hitting coach Chad Mottola and staff — with mostly the same crew.
246
Home runs
Also most in team history, surpassing the 2017 team that was led by the surprising trio of Logan Morrison (38), Steven Souza Jr. (30) and Corey Dickerson (27).
.292, 28, 108, .890
Stats for Randy Arozarena
Batting average, home runs, RBIs and OPS for Arozarena in what would be one of the top offensive seasons by any Rays player. For comparison, here are five of the best:
Player, year, avg., HR, RBI, OPS
Carlos Pena, 2007, .282, 46, 121, 1.037
Aubrey Huff, 2003, .311, 34, 107, .922
Evan Longoria, 2009, .281, 33, 113, .889
Fred McGriff, 1999, .310, 32, 104, .957
Jorge Cantu, 2005, .286, 28, 117, .808
28
Home runs by Jose Siri
This is Siri’s 10th season in pro baseball, and only once — in 2017 with Cincinnati’s Class A Dayton team — did he hit more than 20 homers in a season. In 125 big-league games prior to this season, he hit 11.
22
Wins by Shane McClanahan
The list of Rays’ 20-game winners is short. Blake Snell won a team-record 21 in 2018 and then an American League Cy Young Award. David Price won 20 in 2012, followed by a Cy Young.
602
Runs allowed
That would be second-best in team history, behind the dominant 2012 staff that allowed 577 (518 earned). That rotation was led by Price, James Shields, Matt Moore, Jeremy Hellickson and Alex Cobb; and the bullpen by Fernando Rodney (48 saves), with a solid setup crew including Jake McGee, Wade Davis, J.P. Howell, Joel Peralta and Burke Badenhop.
198
Stolen bases
This would also be a team record, surpassing the 2009 performance that was led mostly by Carl Crawford (60 steals), BJ Upton (42) and Jason Bartlett.
50
Steals by Wander Franco
The Rays expect a lot out of their multitalented star — hitting for average, flashing power and playing dazzling defense at shortstop. The aggressive baserunning has been a bit of a surprise. Franco is on pace for the sixth 50-steal season in Rays history and first by someone not named Crawford.
32
Blown saves
Second-most in Rays history, behind last year’s 36, and definitely a team effort, with eight pitchers having a hand in it. Jason Adam leads with five.
