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At 44-35, the Rays are firmly in the postseason mix. Theyre one game back of the Yankees in the AL East and in po se sion of the American Leagues Brian Mccann Jersey top Wild Card spot. gives them more than a 70% chance of playing in October. Thatd present a challenge for MLB because of their stadium situation. The Rays are playing at an A-ball facility after last falls hurricane damage rendered Tropicana Field unplayable. Their interim home, George M. Steinbrenner Field, has a capacity a little above 11,000. The As are playing in a similarly small ballpark but have e sentially no chance of making the playoffs this season, at least delaying their decision by a year. Every other MLB stadium has a capacity of at least 34,000. reports that Rays officials have had preliminary conversations with the league office about how theyd handle potential home playoff games. He writes that its po sible the league will consider Steinbrenner Field satisfactory for potential Wild Card and Division Series but could push for a change in venue if the Rays advance as far as the AL Championship Series. The concerns go beyond the optics of a small playoff crowd. The league could have difficulty accommodating the larger broadcasting and media contingents, as the field also has a very small pre s box. Rosenthals piece is worth a full read, as he goes into specifics about the logistical challenges that a smaller field present for the leagues broadcast partners. The Players A sociation may also prefer a move to a stadium with more seating. Players postseason shares are a percentage of playoff gate receipts. Games at Steinbrenner Field will obviously have artificially low attendance numbers. It wouldnt be a huge percentage of overall playoff gate revenue, but it would take on added importance if the Rays make a deep run. Playing the Rays scheduled home games at a neutral site would presumably generate more attendance, though itd negate whatever on-field advantages they get from playing in front of their home crowd. It may all end up being a moot point. The Rays could mi s the playoffs. If they get in as the second or third Wild Card team, theyd play on the road for their entire three-game series in the first round (as all fifth and sixth seeds do). Neverthele s, the league will need to have a plan in place in advance of the beginning of the playoffs. That could also inform how theyd handle things if the As make the postseason before the scheduled opening of their Las Vegas stadium in 2028. The Rays hope to return to Tropicana Field next season. Their lease at the Trop runs for three more years once its again playable. Owner Stuart Sternberg is with a group led by a Jacksonville-based real estate developer about a sale of the franchise. That group is expected to seek a new stadium in the Tampa Bay region for the long term if the sale is finalized. Sonny Jackson Jersey
