Call to the pen
Fansided

3 MLB numbers that stood out in the month of April

By Roger Castillo

Apr 24, 2023; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) reacts after hitting double against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2023; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) reacts after hitting double against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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MLB team Tampa Bay Rays
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – APRIL 24: Wander Franco #5 and Manuel Margot #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrate after defeating the Houston Astros 8-3 at Tropicana Field on April 24, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

MLB-best 10.9 fWAR

The Tampa Bay Rays have the best record in the majors at 23-6 and boast the league’s best offense. Their 61 home runs led the league, and their wRC+ of 148, similar to their fWAR, is significant as the second-closest team is Texas at 119.

Leading the charge is Randy Arozarena, who has put up a slash line of .327/.392/.573 with seven home runs and 28 RBI. Along with Yandy Diaz, Brandon Lowe, and Luke Raley, they have combined for 21 of the 61 home runs hit so far. They led the league in batting average (.281) and have been taking advantage of a favorable schedule with series against two of the weakest teams in the AL Central in the Tigers and White Sox.

Against those two teams alone, the Rays went 9-1, scoring 75 runs while allowing just 36 runs, 33 coming courtesy of Chicago over seven games. The A’s also were victims of this juggernaut offense. They outscored Oakland 31-5 at home, with back to back 11–0 shutouts. Tampa has done this with a short-handed rotation that has seen injuries already to Zach Eflin, who they signed in the offseason, among others. Tampa is doing this without a full rotation, as Drew Rasmussen and Shane McClanahan are the only starting pitchers who have not missed time this season.

Their first three series in May will be a good test for the Rays, as they take on the Pirates and Yankees at home before traveling to Baltimore, who are chasing them in second place at 18-9.

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