MLB3 hours ago2 minute read

Tampa Bay Rays Are Bunting Their Way to Victory

The Tampa Bay Rays are using an aggressive bunting strategy to cause chaos and win games in an era dominated by home runs.

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The Art of the Bunt

The Tampa Bay Rays are doing things differently this season. While most teams rely on the home run, the Rays are finding success with a classic baseball weapon. They bunted 129 times this year, which was 40 more times than the Milwaukee Brewers, who finished second.

The strategy was on full display during a doubleheader in New York on Sept. 22. Leading the Yankees 1-0 in the seventh inning, Taylor Walls laid down a perfect bunt against Max Fried. A runner scored, the defense fell apart, and the Rays eventually won 6-1. Rays manager Kevin Cash noted that they have bunted a lot this year, saying, "It is very hard to defend."

Practice Makes Perfect

The Rays led the majors with 84 bunt hit attempts, 45 sacrifice bunts, and 49 bunt hits. Speedy left fielder Chandler Simpson led the team with 14 bunt hits in 26 attempts, while center fielder Cedric Mullins had 12 in 14 tries.

Third base coach Brady Williams is the man behind this bunting attack. Williams learned the art from his father, former major league manager Jimy Williams. Brady Williams holds daily bunting practice, which grew from a small group of players to nearly the entire roster. He says executing a bunt puts pressure on the defense. "Other teams don't know what we're going to do," Williams said. "And when you're not sure, that immediately gives us an edge."

The Rays are not just a one-trick team. They also have elite pitching, excellent defense, and power hitters like Junior Caminero. Their batters struck out the fewest times in the major leagues, while their pitchers walked the fewest batters. But their ability to bunt adds a unique layer to their offense.

What it means for the next game

New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays (MLB, Tue, 06 Oct): Tampa Bay Rays win 43%, New York Yankees win 57%; projected score Tampa Bay Rays 3, New York Yankees 4. Our safest pick: Rays +3.5.

Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees (MLB, Thu, 08 Oct): New York Yankees win 54%, Tampa Bay Rays win 46%; projected score New York Yankees 4, Tampa Bay Rays 4. Our safest pick: Yankees +1.5.