Tampa Bay Rays use small-ball approach before World Series

The Tampa Bay Rays lead the American League in wins and head into the World Series with a non-traditional roster featuring a few All-Stars alongside unsung contributors who prioritize situational execution. The team relies on contact hitting, bunting, and base-stealing while supplementing with select power hitters. According to reports from the Associated Press, the Rays finished second only to the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers in team batting average, posting a mark of .2581 compared to Milwaukee’s .2585.

Game 1 of the World Series is scheduled for Friday night in Milwaukee. During the regular season, the Rays led all major league clubs with 134 bunts, recorded the fewest strikeouts in the majors, and ranked 22nd in home runs. This small-ball approach was balanced by power contributions primarily from Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz, and Jonathan Aranda.

Kevin Cash Deploys Chandler Simpson in Unconventional Spots

Speedy left fielder Chandler Simpson served as a primary offensive catalyst, leading the team with a .306 batting average and 46 stolen bases. Simpson has recorded zero home runs in 1,053 career major league plate appearances, fitting the profile of a traditional leadoff hitter. However, manager Kevin Cash deployed him in unconventional lineup spots. Simpson batted fifth 57 times—more frequently than his 37 appearances in the leadoff spot—and hit in the No. 3 slot during Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against Cleveland.

I feel like there’s a lot that goes into it, especially hitting the middle order with dudes that can hit for power in front of you and dudes that can do the same behind you, or run as well, Simpson said of his placement in the order. He added that his role involves moving defenses around and generating traffic on the base paths.

Operating in an era heavily influenced by launch angle and exit velocity metrics, Simpson emphasizes ground-ball contact, rarely strikes out with only 48 strikeouts on the year, and collected 14 bunt hits. It’s fun to play my game, Simpson noted. There’s a space and there’s a spot for power in our game for sure, but there’s definitely a space for contact, getting on base, playing good defense, running, base running, doing all those things that can win games as well that can complement power to a certain extent.

Power Fixtures in the Tampa Bay Infield

To supply power, the Rays look to Caminero, Díaz, and Aranda. Caminero, a two-time All-Star third baseman, anchors the lineup in the third or cleanup spot, finishing the year with a .276 batting average, 42 home runs, 101 RBIs, and an .885 OPS. Díaz served as the team’s leadoff hitter for 120 games in the regular season and throughout the postseason, while also batting fourth more times than anyone else on the team. Aranda, an All-Star selection in 2025, hit .274 with 22 home runs, 92 RBIs, and a .358 on-base percentage, typically occupying the second spot in the order.

Platoons and Recent Acquisitions in the Outfield

Ryan Vilade and Victor Mesa Jr. share time in a right-field platoon. Vilade joined the organization last November after spending time with five different professional organizations. He hit .245 with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs across 245 at-bats, including a home run off Max Fried at Yankee Stadium during Game 3 of the American League Division Series. Just being able to look back and like last year, I was in Triple-A Memphis and sleeping on an Amazon or a Walmart bed, and this year I’m here and get to go to the ALCS and compete with my guys, Vilade remarked. Mesa, acquired in February after Miami designated him for assignment, batted .260 with 14 home runs and 34 RBIs in 235 at-bats, hitting a go-ahead two-run home run off Fried in the ALDS clincher. In center field, Jonny DeLuca and Cedric Mullins shared regular-season duties, with DeLuca starting all six games of the ALCS. DeLuca finished the year batting .266 with 11 home runs and 50 RBIs.

Rays Seek First Title in Franchise History

Second baseman Richie Palacios hit .235 with 10 home runs and 57 RBIs in 345 at-bats, opening the scoring in the ALCS clincher with a two-run double. Catcher Liam Hicks hit .288 with four homers and 20 RBIs in 41 games, batting mostly in the cleanup spot. We’re a bunch of dogs, Vilade said regarding the team’s collective mindset. We are going to go out there. We don’t care who’s on the other side. The franchise seeks its first title in its 29-year history.

More on Tampa Bay Rays: Tampa Bay Rays one win away from MLB World Series after defeating Guardians · Tampa Bay Rays Defeat Cleveland 7-3 to Win ALCS · Tampa Bay Rays Face Milwaukee Brewers in Historic World Series Matchup