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5 reasons the Tampa Bay Rays could be a sleeper in the Wild Card race

By Nathaniel Reeves

Aug 15, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Tampa Bay Rays ball cap and glove during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Rays 12-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Tampa Bay Rays ball cap and glove during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Rays 12-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The surprising Tampa Bay Rays have set themselves up nicely to make a strong run at the second A.L. Wild Card spot in September.

Aug 15, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Tampa Bay Rays ball cap and glove during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Rays 12-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Tampa Bay Rays ball cap and glove during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Rays 12-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

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With a month left to go in the 2015 regular season, the Tampa Bay Rays have to be considered one of the biggest surprises in all of baseball.

After losing some important pieces, including super utility-man Ben Zobrist and general manager Andrew Friedman, from a team that finished with 77 wins a year ago, the Rays were expected to struggle again in 2015. Multiple injuries to the starting rotation didn’t help matters, and Tampa Bay was left with a young roster that looked like it might have problems scoring runs.

Still, somehow the Rays have managed to hover around .500 entering the stretch run behind major contributions from unexpected sources. That’s not a great record by any stretch, but it’s good enough to remain within four games of the second American League Wild Card spot.

Tampa Bay trails only the Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins in the Wild Card race, both of whom are surprising contenders themselves. With a few important players returning from the DL, the Rays should be in the mix for the duration of the season.

The Rays can seriously challenge the two teams ahead of them in the standings behind the strength of their excellent starting rotation. If Tampa Bay can run down the Angles and Twins, they will be dangerous with ace Chris Archer on the mound in a one-game playoff.

Next: An ace in the Wild Card Game

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