By Emma Almanza
Staff Writer

For the first time since 2008, the Tampa Rays are headed to the world series, just the second time in history after 23 seasons. Due to the ongoing pandemic the Major League Baseball, also known as the MLB, announced the season would be delayed indefinitely along with the remainder of spring training. On June 23 commissioner Rob Manfred announced the implementation of a 60-game season beginning on July 23and ending on October 28, disappointing many fans as the season usually starts in late March with 162 total games.  

The Rays had 40 wins and 20 losses this season starting off with a close loss against the Blue Jays on July 24 but coming back with a tie against them the next day, and a win 2-1 the day after that and restoring hope for the rest of the season. They continued the month of July with 3 consecutive wins against the Braves, ending the month with a loss against the Orioles. 

They started off August with two more losses against the Orioles, and one win against the Red Sox but unfortunately followed with two more losses against them. The Rays then went head to head against the Yankees losing one game but winning two more. On August 10 they went against the Red Soxs once again winning three consecutive games, exciting many fans. Throughout the rest of August, the Rays won two games against the Blue Jays, won three more against the Yankees, followed by another win against the Blue Jays, and ultimately the month with two wins against the Orioles, and a final three consecutive wins against the Miami Marlins. 

Unfortunately, September started with a loss against the Yankees, but the Rays followed with a win against them, and two more close wins against the Marlins. The next two games were lost against the Nationals, along with another two against the Red Sox. On September 15, the Rays faced off the Nationals, once again losing two more games. They came back with three consecutive wins against the Orioles and two more against the Mets. They finished the month off with two out of three wins against the Phillies and one out of two wins against the Blue Jays.

October, the final month of the season, started off rough for the Tampa Rays with three losses against the Yankees. The Rays then rose up and won three consecutive games against the Astros, building hope for a spot in the World Series. Unfortunately, they lost three more games against the Astros depleting the hopes of many fans. Finally, on October 18, in their final game before the World Series they went against the Astros one last time. They won 4-2 in a heated game thanks to some big swings from Arozarena and Zunino.               

Finally it was time for the World Series where the Tampa Rays would face the Los Angeles Dodgers one last time. Unfortunately for the Rays, the Dodgers won the series 4-2, disappointing many fans including MAST math teacher Laura Rampey for she said “both teams worked hard and showed their competitive ways, but this time the Dodgers proved they were more passionate for the trophy and ended with a win.” She, like many others, hopes to see the Rays back at it again next year.