Will the Tampa Bay Rays ever lose again? In the early going of the MLB season, the Rays have established themselves as true contenders. The Rays faced some adversity on Thursday but were able to persevere to keep their historic undefeated start to the season going. The Rays World Series odds have continued to rise over the course of the past two weeks and they now find themselves among the league’s best.
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Rays World Series Odds Rise During Historic Start
The Rays were able to improve to an incredible 13-0 after defeating the Boston Red Sox on Thursday. Per BetMGM, the Rays opened the year as +2200 to win the World Series. Those odds jumped to +1200 earlier in the week. Now, the Rays World Series odds sit at just +1100. They are behind just the Atlanta Braves (+650), Houston Astros (+650), Los Angeles Dodgers (+800), New York Yankees (+800) and San Diego Padres (+1000).
It sure looked like the Rays were in jeopardy of losing their first game on Thursday. Not only did they fall behind the Red Sox 3-1 in the early going, but Tampa also lost star starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs to injury in the fourth inning. But they did what they have done all season, mounting a rally and showing persistence. The Rays used a seven-run fifth inning to beat Boston 9-3.
Tampa Bay’s 13-game streak to start the season is the longest since 1900. Their +72 run differential also puts them in some elite company.
Three teams have started the MLB season 13–0.
The 1982 #Braves had a +32 run differential.
The 1987 #Brewers had a +38 run differential.
The 2023 #Rays have a +71 run differential.
— Nathaniel Rakich (@baseballot) April 13, 2023
Sure, the Rays have not played the toughest of competition to open the season. The team began their season playing against the rebuilding Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals and Oakland Athletics before welcoming the Red Sox to Tropicana Field. But there is nothing flukey about being able to win 13 games regardless of the talent in the opposing dugout.
“Pretty exciting. Doing it the way we have, every facet of our game is really performing, producing and contributing,” manager Kevin Cash said, per Omaha World-Herald. “Normally it doesn’t work out that way.”
It is not as if the Rays have not faced any adversity, either. Even before losing Springs, the Rays were forced to place starting pitcher Zach Eflin and outfielder Jose Siri on the IL. It has not mattered, and the team’s depth was again on full display in the comeback win on Thursday.
The Rays World Series odds may show some teams are considered bigger threats. But make no mistake, the Rays are making a statement during the first two weeks. The Rays will look to extend their perfect record on Friday when they begin their series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rays (-115 on DraftKings Sportsbook) are slightly favored to get to 14-0.
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