Rays, MLB Reportedly Have Discussed Potential Home Playoff Game Locations

The Tampa Bay Rays are playing their home games at 10,046-seat George M. Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees' spring training home, after Hurricane Milton ripped Tropicana Field's roof off last October and made that park unplayable.

That hasn't stopped the Rays from having an impressive season, which sees the team sitting 44-35, just one game behind the Yanks for first place in the AL East.

But now comes the question of what the Rays will do should they advance to the playoffs. And with that in mind, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Thursday that the Rays and Major League Baseball "have engaged in preliminary conversations about where the team would play home games if it makes the playoffs, according to officials briefed on the discussions."

Rosenthal added that the field could be fine for the Rays to host AL Wild Card Series and AL Division Series games. However, he noted "logistical concerns might force a move to a larger stadium if the Rays advanced to the American League Championship Series and World Series."

In essence, Rosenthal noted there would be logistical concerns for hosting the Championship Series and World Series at Steinbrenner Field.

First, there's an issue with the league needing to have "thousands of tickets available to a variety of participants and stakeholders."

There's also a concern regarding "diminished gate receipts" at a field with a limited capacity, which would hurt players' postseason shares.

In addition, broadcast partners could face issues with postseason productions at a smaller field.

It's unclear where the Rays might play ALCS or World Series games. As Rosenthal noted, Tampa Bay "naturally, would not want to be put at a competitive disadvantage by playing home postseason games at a neutral site." He then mentioned the two closest MLB ballparks to Tampa (loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins, and Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves).

For now, Tampa Bay is thriving. After starting 21-26, the Rays have gone 23-9 to move into the first spot in the AL wild-card race. And now they are just a game back of the slumping Yankees, who have lost nine of their last 12.

It's obviously a long way until October, but it certainly wouldn't be a surprise to see the Rays playing in the postseason. So it's conceivable that the Rays end up making a deep playoff run that could necessitate a move away from their temporary home.