Two clubs in nearly identical positions in the playoff chase and with identical records meet on Friday when the Tampa Bay Rays visit the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game series.

With eight days left until the July 31 trade deadline, things can quickly shift from one direction to the next as teams win or lose.

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Former MLB Exec Says Red Sox 'Would Love' to Land Rays' Yandy Diaz originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Boston Red Sox are gearing up as buyers at the trade deadline. While they could still trade Jarren Duran, the Red Sox want to add a starting pitcher and a first baseman at the deadline.

The Tampa Bay Rays are at a crossroads as the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline approaches on July 31. Sitting at 53-49 and 0.5 games out of the last AL Wild Card spot, their +66 run differential suggests they’re better than their record indicates, and could be in position for a playoff push.

When it was announced that Luke Heyman, Florida Gators starting catcher last season, was expected to sign with the Seattle Mariners, Gators fans were at least hopeful that backup catcher Brody Donay would return.

When MLB.com asked 90 big-league players who the fastest player in baseball is, 40 voted for Tampa Bay Rays rookie outfielder Chandler Simpson. Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. received 17 votes, and so did Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz.

A metric that shows Rays shortstop Taylor Walls as the best defender at his position also shows his double-play partner as the worst at his.

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays have been tied to one another in a rare in-division deal.

Count the Cincinnati Reds among the teams to talk with the Arizona Diamondbacks about third baseman Eugenio Suárez, arguably the most sought-after bat on the trade market. Suárez, of course, spent seven seasons with the Reds, meaning that this would be a reunion.