It is July 31st, 2018.
Against all odds, the Rays have stayed in the race. Bolstered by taking three of four in Baltimore, they’ve improved to 55-51, just a game and a half out of the second Wild Card spot.
Back at the Trop for an important nine game home stand against Angels, White Sox, and Orioles again, there are rumblings that the team so many were convinced was in full tank mode during a tumultuous off season might actually be buyers at the deadline. But the Rays’ Front Office have announced no moves as of yet, and time is getting short.