‘Team Baseball’ Powers Tampa Bay Rays Hot Start; Other $10 tickets available

Kevin Cash said after Wednesday afternoon’s win in Washington that for a team to win its first six games, contributions must come from the entire roster.

The Rays 10th year manager is really getting those contributions. It’s not so much, however, that Tampa Bay is 10-6 in a weekend series against the Oakland A’s at Tropicana Field. Rather, all three stages worked exceptionally well as they outscored their opponents by a surprising 0-44.

“We should be very happy with the way we played,” Cash said. “Defensive consistency, on the mound, at the plate (it was outstanding).”

The Rays’ sparkling start left a mark in the record books. One has to go back to 1884, when the St. Louis Maroons were the last club to win their first six games with each victory by at least four points. The Maroons won their first 13 games this way, and overall won their first 20 games.

Given Oakland’s ongoing struggles — and an opponent requiring “thousands” of additional $10 tickets to Tropicana Field in one weekend — it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Rays go into Monday night’s series opener against visiting Boston 9-0. The Red Sox were swept at home by the Pirates this week.

For long-term success through the 162-game grind, however, all cylinders must contribute to the cause.

“The lineup, the way it worked in the first six games, it feels like whoever is there is contributing,” Cash said.

Highlighting that is the fact that five Rays have at least five RBI in six games. On the mound, starters Shane McClanahan, Zach Eflin, Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen combined to allow just three runs in 29 innings from five starts. Josh Fleming’s start against the Nats Monday night (5 ER, 3 IP) is the only shortcoming. Overall staff ERA is 2.00.

There has also been a defensive gem in every game, including right fielder Manny Margot who hit a pair of feature catches to save the run so far this season.

McClanahan may not have been at his best Wednesday against the Nationals. However, he escaped a bases-loaded no-out jam in the fourth and produced two runs in six innings to get his second hit. Meanwhile, the offense has amassed seven points.

“This offense gives us a chance to win games when you don’t have the best stuff, or you don’t necessarily feel like the best, or you make the best pitches,” said the 25-year-old southpaw. “Having these guys behind you and having your back means the world.”

Cash is especially impressed with the consistent quality of his team’s batting. The Rays gave the pot very little by seemingly taking advantage of every error by an opposing pitcher.

“Our approach to the dish really stood out,” he said. “It just feels like we’re making some really good decisions. This was repeated in spring training, the guys have gotten themselves into good bills and when they get them, they’re doing some damage.

Those good decisions are paying off for a team that is hitting .284 with 13 homers. Wander Franco got off to a flying start batting .417 with a pair of homers and seven RBI. Jose Siri has eight RBIs for the team and Yandy Diaz has a 455 on-base percentage as he hits a team-best eight runs. Randy Arozarena hit four extra base hits while making a pair of standout plays in left field.

Then there’s Luke Raley and Josh Lowe. The former went 1-for-7 in the season-opening series against Detroit, then hit three homers in two games against the Nats. His leadoff homer in the ninth inning of Tuesday night’s game tied the score at six and opened the door for a five-run inning in a 10-6 win. Lowe, the next batter, ran deep for the deciding run. Four of his six hits (14 at-bats) are for extra bases.

“It’s a baseball team,” McClanahan said. “No matter the situation, no matter the count, it’s the baseball team.”

True, the casualties up to this point have been the rebuilding Tigers and a country club that is a shadow of the 2019 World Series winners. However, the job needs to be done and the Rays are doing it. They’re also building early momentum, which could be helpful as the program progresses and gets tougher.

“We have a great squad,” Franco said, via interpreter Manny Navarro, after Wednesday’s game. “I think we can go a long way with this group and as long as we keep improving, we can do great things.”

How good it is, of course, remains to be seen. At least at first, it was pretty impressive.