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Rays Embrace Singles in Historic MLB Start
30 Mar
Summary
- Rays hit 35 singles in the first three games.
- This feat matches a record not seen since 1952.
- The team's singles dominance contrasts modern home run trends.
The Tampa Bay Rays have adopted an unusual strategy to start the 2026 MLB season, prioritizing singles over home runs. In their opening three games, the team collectively hit an astonishing 35 singles. This remarkable achievement echoes the hitting prowess of the 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers, a feat not recorded in Major League Baseball in over 70 years.
Individually, Yandy Diaz is leading the charge with nine singles among his 16 hits, boasting a .563 batting average. Other contributors include Ben Williamson and Chandler Simpson with five singles each, Jonathan Aranda and Nick Fortes with four, and Jonny DeLuca with three.
This focus on singles stands in stark contrast to the current era of baseball, which is heavily dominated by home runs. The Rays have managed only one home run as a team so far in the series against the St. Louis Cardinals, though they did outscore their opponents. It remains uncertain if this approach will lead to consistent wins, but it has certainly created an unexpected and noteworthy beginning to their season.
