Kings of Steinbrenner: Rays Are Playing Better At Their Temporary Home

The Tampa Bay Rays have won 14 of their past 18 games and are now 4.5 games back in the AL East.

It wasnt all that long ago when the Rays were below .500 and wondering how they could play more consistently.

On May 8, the Rays bullpen coughed up a game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Rays were seemingly cursed at George M.

Steinbrenner Field, their temporary home stadium for the 2025 season, which is controlled by the New York Yankees.

They have since clawed their way out of that morass, due in large part to improved play at home.

Meanwhile, opposing clubs are lining up with a laundry list of complaints.

Is it possible that the Rays could keep playing there for an extended period? The Rays Are Playing Better At Home.

The Rays recently ran off a string of 14 victories in 18 home contests.

They lost 16 of their first 25 home games.

They have played an inordinate amount of home games (43) because MLB altered their schedule to navigate the severe weather in Florida during the summer months.

While stadiums in the Northeast endure ugly weather and postponed games, Steinbrenner Field in Florida looks pristine by comparison.

Sure, the temperature is oppressive, but baseball is ultimately meant to be played in warm weather.

The Rays are flexing the power at their home digs.

Steinbrenner Field has identical dimensions to Yankee Stadium with the short porch in right field.

The thought was that the Rays would take advantage of those dimensions with left-handed hitters like Brandon Lowe to pull home runs.

Lo and behold, Lowe has swatted 9 of his 13 home runs at Steinbrenner Field.

Most impressive is how the Rays have out-homered their opponents, 25-20, during this torrid 18-game stretch.

Opposing Teams Are Unafraid To Voice Their Feelings.

There is no question that the whole situation is beyond anyones control.

A hurricane led to Tropicana Field being unplayable.

This is not the first time baseball teams have had to play at minor league stadiums, and eventually everyone will become accustomed.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider recently remarked, Its tough.

Its hot.

The environment is just different.

MY TWO CENTS: It was hot on Sunday at Steinbrenner Field, and Toronto @BlueJays manager John Schneider admitted they didnt want to be there in the brutal heat.

Heres my column, with lots of fun stuff live from Tampa.

@RaysBaseball #Rays #MLB https://t.co/i5jFTbmEkJ Tom Brew (@tombrewsports) May 26, 2025 Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan had a complaint about the size of the pitching mounds .

Ultimately, there is no doubt that the lighting and external conditions may not be the same as those in other parks.

The Rays should use these little quirks to their advantage.

In fact, the players have probably noticed that the crowds dont seem to be as filled with opposing fans.

The biggest problem has been that St.

Petersburg is too far geographically for the majority of its fans to travel to.

Having more Tampa Bay residents in the seats cheering for the local baseball team is surely welcomed by many Rays players.

Are The Landlords Eventually Going To Kick Them Out? This is a really interesting question.

The Rays are paying the Yankees $15 million to play their home games at Steinbrenner Field, and the facility has been altered to make it as much like Tropicana Field as possible.

The short-term plan appears to be the Rays fulfilling their lease at a rebuilt Tropicana Field next season.

The longer-term plan is entirely up in the air, however, and it feels like the situation can take any number of turns.

The Yankees have probably made it clear privately that this is only a one-year arrangement.

Unlike the Rays, Sacramento cant stay forever, and they dont know where they will be going.

In any event, it will be intriguing to observe how the Rays and their opponents continue to adjust as the summer months introduce another element of uncertainty into the regular season.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission..

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