Rays Finally Lose after 13-0 Start

The Tampa Bay Rays’ hopes establishing a new modern day record for consecutive wins at the start of the season were dashed on April 14th, as the Blue Jays beat the Rays 6-3 in Toronto. Bo Bichette was five for five at the plate for Toronto; the Jays improved to 9-5 on the young season, four games behind the Rays in the American League East.

The 13-0 start matched the 1982 Atlanta Braves and 1987 Milwaukee Brewers for most consecutive wins to start the season. The ’82 Braves went on to win the National League East with a record of 89-73, before losing to the eventual World Champion St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series (back then there were two divisions in each league and no Wild Cards). The ’87 Brewers were in the American League back then, and finished in third place in the American League East, with a record of 91-71, seven games behind the division winning Detroit Tigers. Again, no Wild Cards yet so Milwaukee did not make the playoffs.

It has also been pointed out that the 1884 St. Louis Maroons began their season 20-0. Records are often divided between the Modern Era (1900-present) and the 1800s, as modern rules became established around 1900. Nonetheless, the Maroons hold the overall record with that 20-0 start.

The St. Louis Maroons were in their first season in the Union Association in 1884, considered to be a major league. The Maroons were 94-19 and were league champions. The franchise then joined the National League, playing in St. Louis for two more years before shifting to Indianapolis for three years before folding after the 1889 season.

While the Rays feat is impressive, it might be tempered by the fact that all four teams they played and beat during the streak are currently in last place in their respective divisions. After the three game set at Toronto, the Rays will play three at another current last place club, the Cincinnati Reds. A most favorable start to the season, schedule wise.