Rays make history: Most wins in a row to start the MLB season

The Tampa Bay Rays tied the modern record for most wins in a row to start the MLB season.

With 13 straight wins to start the 2023 MLB season, the Tampa Bay Rays have made history.

Tampa has quickly established itself as the team to beat this MLB season. While there’s plenty of games remaining, the Rays early four-game lead on the likes of the Blue Jays and New York Yankees as of Thursday afternoon is notable.

Per usual, Tampa Bay made savvy financial moves, but outwitted most of baseball this offseason with HOW they spent their money. The Rays will never spend as much as Steve Cohen, but their scouting and baseball analytics departments are the best in the league for a reason.

Most wins in a row to start the MLB season

Prior to the Rays, the previous two teams to win 13 straight games to start a season were the Atlanta Braves in 1982 and Milwaukee Brewers in 1987. Per the New York Times, there is one professional team with an even longer streak, but not in MLB.

"“The top mark to start a season was the 20 consecutive wins reeled off by the 1884 Maroons, a team in the Union Association that included star outfielders like Buttercup Dickerson and Orator Shafer. St. Louis finished the U.A.’s only season with a 94-19-1 record, 25 more wins than the Cincinnati Outlaw Reds, who had the second most.”"

The Rays are one game away from setting the Major League Baseball mark of 14 consecutive wins to start a season.

After sweeping the Red Sox in a four-game set, Tampa Bay heads to Toronto the face the Blue Jays, another tough opponent, on the road. Jose Berrios will likely start on the mound for Toronto, while Drew Rasmussen gets the nod for the undefeated Rays.

Rasmussen is 2-0 thus far on the year and hasn’t given up a run.