What's behind Tampa Bay Rays' undefeated streak? Examining one of the most impressive starts to an MLB season

The Tampa Bay Rays are doing something almost unprecedented. While eight-game win streaks aren't all that rare (many teams will have that long or longer winning streaks this season), it just doesn't happen to start the season.

They're 8-0, firmly perched atop the American League East standings. They're winning every single time out and by a wide margin, too. No opponent has been able to get within four runs of the Rays.

An eight-game win streak in dominant fashion like this? It hasn't been done in 84 years (the New York Yankees last did it and it wasn't to open the season). What's driving the Rays' success?

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How the Tampa Bay Rays have won so much already

The Tampa Bay Rays haven't lost yet, and with Drew Rasmussen facing off with the lowly Oakland Athletics, they might not lose today, either.

There are a few factors to consider when analyzing this unprecedented level of success to start a season. One such is that the Athletics, Detroit Tigers and Washington Nationals aren't exactly top teams.

Any team can win, but these teams were projected to be three of the four worst teams in baseball. Winning every game against them is impressive, but it's not as if the Rays have blasted the Los Angeles Dodgers or Houston Astros.

Additionally, everything is clicking for the Rays. Their offense, which is sometimes missing, has been clicking on all cylinders. Wander Franco is playing unbelievably well.

Wander Franco is driving the Tampa Bay Rays

As was to be expected, their pitching is incredible. Their analytics department always finds the best pitchers out there and finds the best way to maximize them. Jeffrey Springs, Rasmussen and others have been excellent thus far, and that's how the Rays keep winning.