Even though the Tampa Bay Rays havenât been around Major League Baseball for that long â especially under that name â the franchise has already made some great strides in terms of competitiveness.
Lately and surprisingly, the Tampa Bay Rays have built a strong, competitive team despite being cautious spenders, dominating the East of the American League over the past couple of seasons.
However, theyâre still one of the few Major League Baseball franchises that have never won a World Series, which is kind of normal if you take into notice that they only started playing in 1998 as an expansion team.
Even so, the former Devil Rays have still had a shot at the ultimate glory, as the 2020 season wonât be the first time that they make it to the World Series. Here, weâll let you know about their history in the Fall Classic.
How Many Times Have The Tampa Bay Rays Been To The World Series?
Throughout their 22 seasons in franchise history, the Tampa Bay Rays have only won the American League pennant twice. One in 2008, and now in 2020 during the shortened MLB season.
Tampa Bay Rays World SeriesAppearances
â 2008: It took the Tampa Bay Raysjust eleven years in The Big Show to make it to their first-ever World Series. Led by manager Joe Maddon, they won 97 games in the regular season (.599 winning percentage), won their division, and beat the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox in the postseason to cap off their first winning season in franchise history.
Sadly, they couldnât put the cherry on top of the sundae in the World Series, as the Philadelphia Phillies got the best of them in just five games, with Cole Hamels dominating and earning the MVP honors.
â 2020: The Tampa Bay Rays were the best team in the American League in 2020 and it wasnât even close. They won 40 of their 60 games and beat the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros in the postseason. Now, theyâll have to finish the job vs. an overpowered Los Angeles Dodgers team.
