Tampa Bay Rays miss World Series title after 98-win season

The Tampa Bay Rays lost the World Series to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night. The final score in Game 5 was 4-1. The loss ended a season that saw the Rays win 98 regular-season games and reach the championship series as major underdogs.

Sportsoddshistory.com listed the Rays as 80-to-1 long-shots to win the title before the season began. That odds line would have made them the most unlikely champions since the Minnesota Twins won the series 35 years ago. The team finished three victories short of the title.

Centerfielder Jonny DeLuca acknowledged the competitive nature of the group. "We’re all very competitive in here, so that part of us is definitely bummed that we lost," DeLuca said. He noted that the players appreciated the journey and refused to listen to outside noise. "It was such a fun ride," he added.

Principal owner Patrick Zalupski described the season as incredible. He and partner Ken Babby had not predicted the team would reach this point. "Our guys wanted it as bad as anybody, and I hurt for them and the coaches and manager," Zalupski said. He called the season a storybook run despite the loss.

The series included a pivotal Game 4 at Tropicana Field. The Rays won a 12-inning game with a score of 4-3. The contest lasted nearly 4.5 hours and featured 15 pitchers and 367 pitches. Manager Kevin Cash praised the team's character and bond in the clubhouse following that victory.

Closer Bryan Baker described the group as one of the closest-knit he has experienced. "I think we’re all going to be a little sad in the next couple of days when we’re not showing up to the park to play together," Baker said. Pitcher Freddy Peralta noted that the team consists of great people who will stay in contact during the offseason.

The Rays faced injuries to starting pitchers Ryan Pepiot, Steven Matz, and Shane McClanahan during the year. They also started the season 2-5. Despite these setbacks, the team swept the New York Yankees in the Division Series. They defeated the Cleveland Guardians in the League Championship Series by coming from behind twice.

Chandler Simpson, Nick Martinez, and Victor Mesa Jr. were highlighted for their contributions to the team's culture and performance. Simpson noted that the team was not viewed as one of the best in the American League before the season. "We weren’t really looked upon as one of the best teams in the American League so for us to overcome that and get all the way to the World Series means a lot," Simpson said.

The Brewers are the better team according to the series outcome. The Rays lost four of the five games. The team will leave Tropicana Field without a ring but with a record of 98 wins.