Rays respond to low expectations with a higher-than-anticipated output
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tucked within a hallway on Tropicana Field's fourth floor, the bat display tells a story of revival. There, a large light-blue bat reading "RAYS" sat atop four others Monday afternoon in a visual representation of the American League East standings.
The entire image, with bats for the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox placed below Tampa Bay's version, stood as a reminder of the surprise that these Rays, both changed and versatile, have offered through 71 games.
The entire image, a sight few outside Tampa Bay's clubhouse predicted was possible beyond the season's first month, stood as more proof that this team appears stronger than last year's version, which began with high hopes but failed miserably.
This season, the flip side has become the better side: The Rays started with low expectations, but they've responded with a higher-than-anticipated output.
What a difference one year makes.
"We went into spring training, and no one really had us penciled in as doing anything great this year," center fielder Kevin Kiermaier said. "But talking to guys amongst ourselves, we kind of said, 'We're going to surprise some people. Now we've just got to go out there and perform.' We've done that to this point."
It's hard not to compare the Rays' current progress with last season's early tumble and how different life here before the All-Star break seems. Entering play Monday, Tampa Bay held a one-game lead over New York with a 40-31 record. Entering play on June 22, 2014, the Rays were 30-46 and a distant fifth in the AL East, 12 games behind the Blue Jays and everything flat-lining in a hurry. They went on to finish a disappointing 77-85.
By this time last year, Tampa Bay had limped through that brutal 1-14 stretch from May 26-June 10. By this time last year, most hope was gone.
For a campaign that began with World Series chatter and calls to "eat last," the early pomp was long silenced by late June.
This year, the Rays entered like lambs, but they've looked more lion of late. Few expected much from this group under a first-year manager and a changed roster. Later, as Tampa Bay's injuries mounted in April and May, there was a sense that the momentum would never last.
Well, it has.
It's too early to consider these Rays bound for the playoff fate that so many assumed for the 2014 team. The long, winding baseball season can become no different than an optical illusion in the desert: An assumed oasis in the distance can fade to reveal a lifeless reality. There's no telling if their pitching, particularly a bullpen that began Monday with a major-league-high 240 1/3 innings pitched, will hold up. There's no telling if the offense will do enough to keep them contenders.
But the difference between the two starts begs one simple question.
Why?
"The biggest thing is we've been able to win the one-run ballgame," right-hander Chris Archer said. "I think that's, ultimately, the biggest difference -- not letting one, two or 10 injuries derail us. We've put guys in a position to succeed. So that's on the coaches. And then being to be able to succeed in the line-up is on the players. So it's a combination between good coaching and players producing."
"It's probably just overall consistency with our starters," reliever Brad Boxberger said. "I mean, we've also dealt with a lot of injuries, but the guys have stepped in and done their job and kept us in ballgames when they could. And the strength of our bullpen this year is something you can see the innings we've taken on. To be able to keep going strong is definitely something that's helped keep us where we are."
Likely, the best answer stands as some combination of everything spoken above. The Rays began Monday as one of three teams in the majors with 40 victories because their starters and relievers are more consistent than last year. They've also juggled a major-league-most 44 players, 26 pitchers, 21 relievers and 16 rookies because previous unknowns, both on the mound and elsewhere, have proved to be more consistent than expected.
Archer. Jake Odorizzi. Nathan Karns. Erasmo Ramirez. Logan Forsythe. Steven Souza Jr. David DeJesus. Joey Butler. Kevin Jepsen.
How many expected all of them to play such a large role in this rise?
How many expected all of them to be as good as they have been so far?
If 2014 was the year of frustrating failure, then this start has become the sterling surprise. Many hands are responsible.
"One thing, as a team, our camaraderie and the way we get along, and our chemistry, has been awesome," Kiermaier said. "It's really fun coming to the field everyday. I think guys are just having more productive at-bats, and our pitching is better. Our pitching was really good last year. But at the same time, we're really getting those outs in big situations when we're out there on defense, and maybe that's something we lacked last year. But I feel like I've improved, and a lot of other guys in this clubhouse (have as well), and guys like Joey Butler are stepping up and really carrying this offense right now, along with Logan Forsythe. He's been huge. Little things like that. I think big-time players like that have really stepped up, and that makes a big difference."
There's something to be said for the change in expectations too. With Tampa Bay's reinvention came a new collective memory. The 2014 Rays played as if they tried to balance sacks of bricks on their heads. The struggle to live up to visions of a deep October run combined with the pressures that came with the David Price speculation and his eventual trade had to add mental weight.
In becoming something new in the offseason, the Rays allowed themselves to develop the personality necessary to pivot from last year's pain. They paid little attention to the lack of buzz around them in spring training. They paid little mind to the greater noise dedicated to other corners of the AL East.
Their recovery is both physical and psychological.
"I didn't embrace any of that," manager Kevin Cash said of the lack of attention directed his team's way in spring. "We felt we had a good team."
Turns out, one way better than last year's version.
A year ago, the Rays lived in the cellar. This time, their view is much more scenic.
By no means is their journey complete. But the steps left behind, both surprising and revealing, hint at why 2014 seems long ago.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
