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Rays' Playoff Woes: Simpson's Homerless Streak Under Fire
15 Oct
Summary
- Simpson lacks career home runs despite high batting average.
- Replacements hit home runs in games Simpson was benched.
- Speedster Simpson struggles stealing bases against lefties.
The Tampa Bay Rays are grappling with a difficult decision regarding starting outfielder Chandler Simpson in the American League Championship Series. While Simpson finished the 2026 regular season with the American League's second-best batting average at .306, he has yet to hit a home run in his 260-game Major League career. This lack of power is a significant talking point as the postseason progresses.
Sports Director Evan Closky highlighted that in the two playoff games Simpson did not start, his replacements collectively hit two home runs. This contrasts sharply with Simpson's power drought, leading to questions about his immediate impact potential in high-stakes games. While Simpson's speed and contact ability are valuable, his limited success stealing against left-handed pitchers is also a concern.
Alternative options like Ryan Vilade and Cedric Mullins offer the potential for game-changing power. Vilade, in particular, has shown strong performance against left-handed pitchers, hitting eight home runs in such matchups during the 2026 season. This suggests a strategic trade-off for the Rays between Simpson's contact-heavy approach and the instant impact of power hitters as they aim to recover from their Game 1 loss.
