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The Tampa Bay Rays have lost their third straight game, this time against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Rays need every win they can get to stay in the playoff hunt, but they are beginning to fall behind. Thursday's encounter was the first of a five-game series against the Blue Jays, and a 4-1 loss was a terrible way to start it.
With the New York Yankees running away with the AL East crown, the Tampa Bay Rays find themselves fighting for a wildcard spot in the playoffs. The battle is far from over, but this recent string of losses has the Tampa Bay fanbase ready to give up.
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There's still a month before the August 2 trade deadline, which could help give the Rays a boost.
At this point in the season, the team may have to look around the MLB for possible ways to improve themselves.
The AL East is one of the most competitive divisions in baseball, and the Tampa Bay Rays could find themselves behind if this skid continues.
The Tampa Bay Rays need to end their losing streak against the Toronto Blue Jays
When a fanbase loses hope in a season, it is nearly impossible to get it back. While many believe the Tampa Bay Rays are simply not good enough, they still have time to turn things around.
The team currently has a record of 40-35, which is good at this point in the season. It only feels worse because they only have a superior record over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. When a division is supremely talented, it changes the scale of what's considered good.
It is still possible for the Rays to make the playoffs if they can fix some issues. While talented pitchers are always difficult to find, acquiring one would significantly improve the team's playoff chances.
The Tampa Bay Rays won the AL East in 2021, but the feat seems impossible this season. Everybody knew the New York Yankees would be great, but nobody could have predicted they would be as good as they are.
There are plenty of positives in the Rays franchise right now, but it is difficult to see them during a losing streak.
Once fans become frustrated with a young core of players, it is hard to get them back. If the promises of potential don't pan out the way they hope, they will turn to the next generation of prospects.
The Tampa Bay Rays' defeat at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays went a long way toward discouraging their fans. Having said that, the Rays are still very good and have plenty of time to turn things around.
