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RAYS CLINCH BERTH IN 2021 POSTSEASON

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—The Tampa Bay Rays have clinched a berth in Major League Baseball’s postseason for a third consecutive season, the longest such streak in franchise history. The Rays are the first American League team and fourth major league team to clinch a trip to the 2021 postseason, following the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers. The Rays currently lead the AL East by 6.5 games over the Boston Red Sox and are attempting to win the fourth division title in franchise history (2020, 2010, 2008), including a second consecutive division title for the first time.

This will be the seventh postseason trip in franchise history, all coming in 14 seasons since becoming the Rays in 2008. Over that stretch, the only clubs to reach the postseason as often are the Dodgers (11), New York Yankees (9, pursuing 10) and St. Louis Cardinals (8, pursuing 9). The Athletics, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox all entered the 2021 season with six postseason trips since 2008 and are still in contention to match the Rays for postseason berths over that span.

If the Rays win the division or a potential AL Wild Card Game, they would secure a seventh trip to the Division Series since 2008. That has been matched by only the Dodgers (10, pursuing 11), Yankees (8, pursuing 9) and Cardinals (7, pursuing 8).

On August 25, Major League Baseball announced the 2021 postseason schedule, which begins with the AL Wild Card Game on October 5 in advance of both AL Division Series beginning on October 7. Game 1 of the AL Championship Series is scheduled to be played on October 15 and Game 1 of the World Series is scheduled to be played on October 26.

At 94-59, the Rays currently have the best record in the AL, holding a 3-game lead over the Houston Astros. The Rays are attempting to clinch the AL’s No. 1 seed for the third time in franchise history (2020, 2010). The Rays and Astros meet for a three-game series in Houston beginning on September 28, which opens the club’s final road trip of the regular season.

Earlier this week, the Rays announced postseason information regarding single-game tickets, ticket packages, suites and party areas, as well as information on ballpark entry, security, and health and safety procedures. Tickets for the potential AL Wild Card Game and all potential Division Series games will go on sale on Thursday, September 30 at 3 p.m. Season Members and Rays Insiders subscribed to email newsletters will receive information about presale opportunities.

Beginning tomorrow, September 23, Rays 2021 postseason merchandise will be available at the Rays Republic Team Store at Tropicana Field, the official destination for all MLB-licensed postseason merchandise.

—RAYS—

Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

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