Should fans be worried about the Rays' recent slump?

Not so long ago, the Rays were the class of the MLB. They had started their season with a 13-0 record and kept their position as the League's best team for three more months. But that dominance didn't last. The Rays have dropped to second place in the AL East, are no longer the best team in the MLB, and have lost five games in a row. Why has this happened? And should fans be worried about the Rays' recent slump?

Jose Siri gets out at first base on a close call.

The Rays initially were expected to be a wild-card team heading into the 2023 season. However, those expectations were greatly exceeded during the first half of the season. The team was playing so well due to the offense, which improved considerably. Offensive improvements from Yandy Diaz, Randy Arozarena, and Josh Lowe have turned a below-average offense into an elite one. The pitching has continued to be at an elite level throughout this season.

So now that we know why the Rays were dominant during the first half of the season, why have they been slumping? The pitching has remained potent despite the slump, so it must be what caused the team's improvement to cause the downfall. Well, not quite. While the Rays' offensive statistics have declined as of late, the decline is minor, and the team still ranks in the top ten in most offensive statistics. If the cause is not pitching or hitting, is it injuries? Certainly not. The only ones that have occurred during the Rays' season have been from pitchers, and none have been recent. The prime reason for this team's slump has been an immensely challenging schedule this month. Consistent winning is not easy when you have to play the Phillies, Rangers, Braves, Royals, Mariners, and Orioles. Only one of those teams has a record below .500: the Royals. The Rays are still yet to play the Marlins, Yankees, and Astros this month, all teams in playoff contention.

Yandy Diaz prepares for an at-bat against Jon Gray.

So, should fans be worried about the Rays' recent slump? Considering that the cause is a challenging schedule, Rays fans do not need to panic. The team started slumping at the start of July when their schedule got strenuous. Their schedule will get much more comfortable once August begins. Playing against the Tigers, Cardinals, and Gaurdians should get them back on track. However, the importance of their current series against the division-rival Orioles cannot be understated. The O's hold first by a game, so winning the series wins back the AL West crown.