Rays clinch playoff berth, September 12: First team in 2026 to secure postseason spot

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Houston Astros 3-1 on September 12, securing their first playoff berth since 2023 and becoming the first team in 2026 to clinch a postseason spot. Junior Caminero hit a walk-off home run to clinch the berth, according to CBS Sports. The Rays end a three-year playoff absence. Their last postseason appearance came in 2023, when they won 99 games but finished second in the AL East behind Baltimore's 101-win team. They were swept in two games at home by the Texas Rangers in the Wild Card Series that year; the Rangers went on to win the World Series. The Rays have not won a postseason game since 2021. The organization has won two AL pennants: in 2008 and 2020. With the clinching of at least the third wild card spot, the Rays are now attempting to win the AL East title and secure a Wild Card Series bye. Caminero, the team's power source, has 40 home runs in the 2026 season, per CBS Sports. He is only the second player in baseball history with multiple 40-homer seasons through age 22, joining Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews. The Rays are middle of the pack offensively, yet no team in baseball has outperformed its run differential more than Tampa Bay as of the reporting date, per CBS Sports. The rotation is built around ace Drew Rasmussen and includes Shane McClanahan (currently on the injured list with forearm soreness), Nick Martinez, Freddy Peralta, Ian Seymour, Griffin Jax, Tyler Wells, and Kevin Kelly. Tyler Wells, who stands 6-foot-8, has one of the highest arm angles and release points in baseball. The pitching staff is designed for excellence in short bursts within playoff series. The National League holds five of the seven best records in baseball. The Los Angeles Dodgers hold 28.6% World Series odds according to FanGraphs' playoff odds as of Friday morning, more than double the odds of any other team. The Dodgers' odds a year ago were 16.4%, and two years ago 19%. The Milwaukee Brewers rank second in World Series odds among all teams other than Los Angeles, with odds higher than the Brewers held a year ago at this time (9.4%), per MLB.com. The Brewers rank 30th in MLB in home runs. The Rays have an inordinately difficult home record and could lock up home-field advantage through the AL bracket, positioning them to vie for the AL's top seed and the direct line to the Division Series that comes with it.