By the time the Rays get home Thursday night, they could be bound for a trip to the postseason. Tampa Bay's 7-2 win over the Braves on Wednesday night at Truist Park, combined with losses by the Rangers and Blue Jays earlier in the day, reduced Tampa Bay’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot to two. The Rays can reduce that number to one by completing a three-game sweep of the Braves on Thursday afternoon. If the Rangers lose to the Mariners again later Thursday afternoon, Tampa Bay will be back in the postseason for the first time since 2023. But that's not the only scenario for the Rays to punch their ticket to the postseason on Thursday. Tampa Bay could also secure a spot in the playoffs with a win in Thursday's finale and another White Sox defeat Thursday night. Of course, it all hinges on the Rays taking care of their business first by completing a sweep at Truist Park.
