The Tampa Bay Rays return to the field for the series finale against the Kansas City Royals with an urgent need to reverse course after two disappointing losses that have highlighted both offensive stagnation and a failure to capitalize on key scoring opportunities. Now sitting at 14–16, the Rays find themselves below .500 and in danger of being swept at home—a rarity for a club that has built its identity on consistency, depth, and resilience over the past several seasons. The burden of stopping the skid falls on right-hander Shane Baz, who has been one of Tampa Bay’s most reliable arms in 2025, entering the matchup with a 3–0 record, a 2.45 ERA, and 36 strikeouts over just under 30 innings. Baz’s pitch mix and command have been outstanding, and he has consistently shown the ability to neutralize power hitters while working out of jams with strikeouts when needed. With the Rays’ offense having produced just one run over the first two games of the series, the pressure will be on Baz to limit Kansas City’s contact-oriented lineup and keep the game within reach until the bats can come alive. Offensively, the Rays have relied on promising young talents like Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda, both of whom have demonstrated strong contact skills and the ability to drive the ball. Caminero leads the team with six home runs and remains a vital piece of the lineup, but the offense overall has lacked the consistent slugging and situational hitting that once defined Tampa Bay’s success.

Aranda, who is batting .299, has been one of the more reliable table-setters, but the Rays have struggled to cash in on runners in scoring position, stranding too many and failing to string together extended rallies. Tampa Bay’s overall run production stands at 4.21 runs per game, but that number has dipped dramatically in this series due to Kansas City’s dominant pitching and well-executed defensive schemes. In order to avoid the sweep, the Rays must find a way to adjust their approach at the plate, reduce strikeouts, and place greater emphasis on advancing runners and exploiting mistakes—a challenge against a Royals team that’s been playing with crisp fundamentals. Defensively, the Rays remain one of the more sound teams in the league, allowing just 3.71 runs per game, a mark that places them eighth overall in MLB. Their bullpen has generally been effective, capable of holding leads when provided with adequate run support, but the lack of early offense has placed unnecessary strain on late-inning relievers. The key to this game lies in execution—getting a quality start from Baz, jumping on Kansas City starter Seth Lugo early, and avoiding the miscues that have haunted them through the first two games. With a chance to salvage the series and regain a footing in the AL East, the Rays must rediscover their offensive rhythm and reestablish the aggressive, versatile identity that’s brought them postseason success in recent years. If Baz delivers and the bats finally wake up, Tampa Bay can avoid the sweep and send a much-needed signal that they’re ready to right the ship heading into May.