ESPN bestows Rays with a high letter grade for performance in April

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ESPN bestows Rays with a high letter grade for performance in April originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Tampa Bay Rays have been a pleasant surprise this season, as they sit a game and a half back of the New York Yankees for the lead in the American League East. The Rays have also won three in a row and are 9-1 in their last 10 ballgames.

The Rays have seen outfielder Chandler Simpson take a step forward in his development, while having one of the best pitching staffs in Major League Baseball (eighth in ERA, 3.75). Simpson is hitting .300 with a .669 OPS and has 11 steals (caught four times).

Off to a hot start (16-9), the Rays received a high letter grade for their play in April.

The Tampa Bay Rays received a high letter grade from ESPN for their performance in April​

According to ESPN’s David Schoenfield, the Rays received an A- for their performance in April.

“The Rays are 20-12 despite a so-so plus-6 run differential, going 10-2 against the AL Central,” wrote Schoenfield. “A 6-1 record in one-run games has keyed the early start, but they also had a nice three-game sweep of the Yankees when Chandler Simpson constantly befuddled New York with his speed. The Rays have some clear strengths -- Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz -- and some clear weaknesses they might have to upgrade (center field and bullpen). With Ryan Pepiot now out for the season, a huge key is Shane McClanahan, who seems to be rounding into his previous All-Star form after sitting out two seasons. With the three AL East teams below them so far failing to match expectations, this might turn into one of those scrappy, overachieving seasons for the Rays.”

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The Rays face division rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox, for the next 10 games. This could help the Rays build a lead and overcome the Yankees in the division.

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