Up to date Sept. 11, 2026, 10:22 p.m. ET
The Tampa Bay Rays grew to become the primary main league membership to clinch a 2026 playoff berth – they usually did so in walk-off trend because of their celebrity third baseman.
Junior Caminero hit his fortieth house run of the season, a two-run shot off Houston Astros reliever Bryan Abreu, and the Rays punched their postseason ticket within the giddiest trend doable, beating the Astros 3-1 Friday, Sept. 11 at Tropicana Subject.
The Rays (88-59) return to the postseason for the primary time since 2023, after they gained 99 video games however had been eradicated by the eventual champion Texas Rangers within the wild-card spherical.
This season, their sights are set a lot increased.
The Rays retain a three-game lead over the New York Yankees within the American League East, and the division champion is almost assured the highest seed within the AL and a first-round bye. Tampa Bay entered Friday with an 81% likelihood to win the divison, in line with FanGraphs.
How they clinched
Oh, what a end.
Jonathan Aranda practically ended it a batter earlier, when his shot to proper heart area hit slightly below the yellow line on the outfield fence. He settled for a one-out double. Caminero then leaned again and blasted an Abreu first-pitch fastball 417 toes over the wall in left, his AL-leading fortieth of the season.
Caminero pounded his chest twice, exhorted his teammates within the Rays dugout and commenced a joyous journey across the bases as Tropicana Subject roared.
That culminated a crisp ballgame during which starter Drew Rasmussen pitched seven innings of one-run ball. Nearer Bryan Baker pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the win.
How the Rays obtained right here
Tampa Bay has the AL’s finest file for a cause, a membership with one reputable celebrity in third baseman Caminero and a slew of well-fitting components. The Rays lineup is a frightening mixture of energy and pace, with Caminero’s AL-leading 40 house runs tucked within the lineup round slugger Yandy Díaz (22 homers, .835 OPS) and first baseman Aranda (19 homers, .359 OBP). Speedy Chandler Simpson ranks second within the AL with a .306 common and the membership makes contact higher than any group within the majors.
In the meantime, right-handers Nick Martinez and Rasmussen have mixed for a 28-5 file and ERAs of two.92 and a pair of.81, respectively.
What’s subsequent for the Rays?
Tampa Bay has two video games remaining with the Astros earlier than internet hosting the Athletics for 3 video games. After which the street will get more durable to complete the season.
The Rays host third-place Boston for 3 video games earlier than a difficult seven-game street journey, starting with 4 video games at Yankee Stadium Sept. 22-24 that ought to go a great distance towards figuring out the division title. Tampa Bay finishes the common season with three video games at NL wild-card hopeful Philadelphia.
If the Rays maintain on and win the division, they may play host to Recreation 1 of the five-game AL Division Collection on Saturday, Oct. 3.
