The Tampa Bay Rays have been an exciting and interesting team to watch this season.

After winning their first 13 games of the season, the Rays found themselves at the top of the pack in the American League East.

As of now, they still own the best record in all of baseball at 46-19.

One of the main reasons they have been so successful is their baserunning.

The Rays have proven to be very skilled when it comes to stealing bases.

In fact, they’ve set a club record of 31 straight stolen base attempts without being caught.

That’s also the most since the Cleveland Indians stole 36 consecutive bases in 2021.

The @RaysBaseball have stolen 31 consecutive bases without being caught

That's the longest streak in franchise history and a league-best since Cleveland stole 36 in 2021. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/BT1AawKWxg

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 9, 2023

This is a unique piece of history that the Rays have been chasing as of late.

With their 31 consecutive successful stolen base attempts, they have joined some elite company.

The Rays offense has been carrying them for much of the season, but baserunning is also a very important aspect of the game.

The Rays have seemingly perfected their technique and are proving to be a threat on the basepaths.

All it takes for them to pass the 2021 Indians record is six more successful consecutive stolen base attempts.

The Rays are also on a hot streak as of late.

They have won six consecutive games and have also won seven of their previous 10.

Tampa Bay also has a 6.5 game lead over the second-place Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.

Their baserunning has been a major key to their success as of late and is helping them win games.

The post The Rays Have Joined Elite Company appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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As sports evolve and change, one thing that because increasingly common is what is often referred to as “trash talk.”

It requires no introduction, nor an explanation.

It’s simply good-natured fun when two teams are playing each other and trying to get under each other’s skin.

Baseball hasn’t been like this very often, but as the game changes, it becomes more commonplace.

Some believe that baseball is a game of respect and trash talk should not be a part of it, while others wish there could be more of it.

On Thursday, Cleveland Guardians star and Rookie of the Year finalist Steven Kwan appeared on the podcast “Foul Territory,” and shared his thoughts on trash talk in baseball.

"I think the trash talking is good. I think it's fun for the game. I think there should be more of it."@CleGuardians' Steven Kwan on why he likes baseball trash talk and points out how it's normal in other sports like NBA/NFL https://t.co/P4R5aAWJf2 pic.twitter.com/lVBYo0pfiz

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 8, 2023

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Kwan stated that he believes trash talk is good for the game.

The Gold Glove outfielder noted that it’s more common in the NFL and NBA than it is in baseball.

He says that the reason it isn’t common in baseball is because players were taught that it was a “gentleman’s game.”

However, Kwan doesn’t believe that there is any ill will behind it.

In his mind, it’s just another layer of gamesmanship and adds a little extra fun to the sport.

Kwan also commented that there isn’t really a good argument for why trash talk doesn’t take place in baseball and believes that there should be more of it as the game evolves and changes.

The game is certainly changing, and the notion that baseball shouldn’t include trash talk is quickly being proven wrong.

The post Steven Kwan Shares His Thoughts On Trash Talk appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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Over the winter, the New York Mets and San Diego Padres were among the busiest teams in terms of free agency.

New York had lost Jacob deGrom to the Texas Rangers but filled their rotation by signing Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga, and Jose Quintana.

They also brought back Brandon Nimmo.

The Padres on the other hand signed Xander Bogaerts, Matt Carpenter, Nelson Cruz, and Michael Wacha.

Both teams were expected to be powerhouses in the National League this season.

However, they are both under the .500 mark.

On Twitter, MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY pointed out a troubling fact, that the Mets and Padres committed a total of $800 million thanks to their signings and went over the luxury tax threshold, and that now, both teams are at risk of missing the postseason.

If you include luxury tax penalties, the #Mets and #Padres are dropping about $800 million to go a combined 59-66 and sit home for the playoffs.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 9, 2023

This is yet another poignant reminder that just because a team may “win the offseason” with some big signings doesn’t mean that a successful season is guaranteed.

Of course, it’s not to say that teams shouldn’t spend money to improve their rosters.

However, it serves as a grim reminder that a busy offseason doesn’t guarantee success during the regular season, or even the postseason should the Mets and Padres end up qualifying.

New York was recently swept by the Atlanta Braves.

They are now 30-33 and sit 8.5 games out of first place.

The Padres own a record of 29-33 and sit eight games out of first.

Both are close in the Wild Card race, but this season has not been kind to either team.

The post MLB Insider Points Out A Troubling Fact About Mets, Padres appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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