The Tampa Rays Are Off To Their Best Start In Franchise History

The Tampa Bay Rays have kicked off their 25th anniversary season in record breaking fashion. After a 7-2 victory over the Washington Nationals today, they are now 6-0. As the last remaining undefeated team in MLB, the Rays are off to their best start in franchise history.

Let's take a look at the success factors that have contributed to his hot start. In the first five games, the Rays have scored 44 runs. That's an average of 7.3 runs per game. Their points for / points against equates to 37 vs. 11. They've given up just 13 runs so far in the first week of the season. This includes an opening day shutout vs. the Detroit Tigers, followed by a two and one run game in that series sweep.

They have hit 13 home runs collectively. Four of them came last night (seven totals in two games vs. the Nationals). Furthermore, they are manufacturing runs the old fashion way. MLB statistics show, the Rays have the fourth highest batting average so far, at .284. This includes 43 RBIs.

As for pitching - the Rays are second in MLB in this category. They have posted an ERA of 2.00 in the first five games. Their pitching staff has combined for 51 strikeouts with on nine walks. Starting pitchers, Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen, and Zach Eflin are all 1-0. Shane McClanahan is now 2-0. Springs threw 12 strikeouts in his debut. Rasmussen also made a gold-glove behind the back fielding play during game one of the Nationals series. The team defense has been incredible with just three total errors.

The team now heads home to take on the Oakland A's this weekend. The A's are currently 2-3. All of the Rays position players are healthy. The injury report has four pitchers on the DL. Relief pitchers Colby White and Jamie Schultz are listed as day-to-day.

Finally, manager (and Tampa native) Kevin Cash has the team believing in themselves and having fun playing the game. The team has a lot of exciting components on tap for this season. As you noticed in the first game, they will be sporting their throwback "Devil Rays" uniforms on Friday nights. Thus, the Rays jumping out best start in franchise history, is a great way to begin their 25th anniversary season.

The Tampa Bay Rays started in Major League Baseball in 1998. Originally called the "Devil Rays," the expansion team opened at home 25 years ago today (March 31, 1998), taking on the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field. Coincidentally, the Rays opened their season yesterday at home, beating the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field. Though the club has had numerous all-star players over the years, the Tampa Bay Rays retired numbers are slim. The group contains only one person who was a player on the team.

Over the years, Tampa has been a breeding ground of great baseball players. Rays legends such as Fred McGriff and Tino Martinez are from Tampa, as is the team's current manager, Kevin Cash.

The retired numbers are displayed inside the park on a wall that is to the left of the center field scoreboard. One of these numbers represents a manager who ended his career as an advisor with the Rays and was a Tampa, FL resident. The other two numbers reflect players, but again, only one of them actually played for the Rays. He too, called Tampa home.

The Rays will sport numerous uniform options this season. They will pay tribute to their anniversary with the throwback Devil Rays look on Friday home games (in addition to opening day). Over the course of the season, they will call up various players from their minor league system. These players, like the current roster and coaching staff, will immediately have three numbers unavailable to them regardless of the colorful uniform combination.

Here are the official Tampa Bay Rays retired numbers.