Rays Clinch 2019 MLB Playoff Spot, Will Play A's in AL Wild Card Game

The Tampa Bay Rays will return to the American League postseason for the first time since 2013 after their 6-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.

Tampa Bay will face the Oakland Athletics, who also clinched a playoff berth Friday, in the AL Wild Card Game on Wednesday.

The location of the game is unknown, but the A's will host it if they finish tied with or better than the Rays. They are currently tied at 96-64.

Both teams held off the Cleveland Indians, who were eliminated from playoff contention with an 8-2 loss to the Washington Nationals on Friday.

After finishing below .500 for four seasons, the Rays reemerged in 2018 with a 90-72 record. They missed out on the playoffs but stormed back in 2019, starting the season 14-4 and staying hot for most of the year.

The Rays pitching staff has been sensational, especially considering 2018 American League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell has started only 22 games (and gone 6-7 with a 4.21 ERA) because of elbow and toe injuries.

Right-hander Tyler Glasnow (6-1), who has a 1.78 ERA in 60.2 innings after 4.1 no-hit frames Friday, has also been limited to 12 starts with a forearm strain.

Despite those ailments, Tampa Bay is first in the league in ERA. Charlie Morton has paced the club with a 16-6 record, 240 strikeouts and a 3.05 ERA. The Rays' opener strategy has also proved effective once again thanks to a deep bullpen that ranks second in the majors in ERA.

At the dish, an improved power stroke has helped. A year after finishing second-to-last in the AL in home runs and featuring just one player (designated hitter-first baseman C.J. Cron) who smacked more than 14, the Rays have nine players with 14 dingers or more.

Outfielder Austin Meadows has been an offensive force with a team-leading 33 homers, 89 RBI and .293 batting average. Left fielder Tommy Pham has 21 home runs and 23 steals, and 24-year-old shortstop Willy Adames has 20 homers.

Tampa Bay will be a tough out in the playoffs if it gets past Oakland. The American League Division Series will begin Friday with the Houston Astros hosting the wild-card winner. Tampa beat Houston 4-3 in their regular-season series.