⚾ What We’ve Learned In MLB So Far

A look at early-season developments in each division, including the historic Rays. [View in browser]( [FOX SPORTS INSIDER WITH MARTIN ROGERS] In today’s FOX Sports Insider with guest writer Jordan Shusterman: The Rays are one of the top contenders, but what else have we learned in baseball so far? … The Bills need some more pass catchers, so who could they target in the draft? … and more! Two weeks down, a little more than 24 to go in the 2023 regular season and we’re all starting to settle into this new era of Major League Baseball defined by the game’s three new rules that have sped games up significantly, increased stolen base attempts, and altered the way teams play defense. As a fan, it’s all begun to feel normal faster than expected and the lack of pitch-timer violations in particular suggest players are adjusting quickly, as well. Beyond the new rules, what — and who — else has stood out in the early going? Let’s dig into what we learned from Week 2. AL East: Rays are contenders, schedule be damned Did the Rays open their season by playing the three teams who very well may finish the year with the three worst records in MLB? Yes, they did. Did they also dominate those teams to a historic degree and follow up a 9-0 start with a four-game sweep of division rival Boston to tie the post-1900 MLB record for consecutive wins to open a season? Yes, they sure did! A 13-0 record is a 13-0 record. Heck, 12-1 is 12-1! It’s impossible to shrug off a start like this, not just because the Rays are still unbeaten but also because it’s April 13 and they already have a five-game lead in the gauntlet that is the AL East. Any amount of cushion the Rays can build against their divisional foes this early should be considered a tremendous accomplishment. Plus, the individual performances up and down the roster clearly back up the gaudy record. Brandon Lowe is healthy and back in All-Star form, Wander Franco looks ready to make his first All-Star game, and Randy Arozarena is doing postseason Randy Arozarena things in the regular season. On the pitching side, Shane McClanahan continues to tell hitters to sit down (respectfully), while Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen have allowed one run in 29 combined innings. And what a luxury to have your big free-agent signing Zach Eflin hit the IL, forcing you to call up one of the best pitching prospects in baseball in Taj Bradley, who debuted on Wednesday and struck out eight while allowing three runs over five innings. The Rays will not go undefeated in 2023. You can quote me on that. But it’d be foolish to dismiss this hot start as entirely meaningless in our grand understanding of just how good this team is and could be moving forward. They belong in the conversation of legitimate contenders in the AL, not just for their record, but for how they’ve amassed it. For the rest of the story, [click here.]( [STORY IMAGE 1] [IN OTHER WORDS] - Buffalo needs a receiver to complement Stefon Diggs. Henry McKenna looks at [who they could target]( in each round of the 2023 NFL Draft. - Kevin Durant has long been known for clapping back against criticism on social media. But [speaking with FOX Sports' Melissa Rohlin]( the Suns star wonders why other players "don't get that 'sensitive' rep." - Shohei Ohtani, the best overall player in baseball, might also be the best pitcher, thanks to his [evolution with new pitches]( writes Pedro Moura. - The Thunder’s season and chance at a playoff spot have become a showcase for their young, but [uber talented core]( John Fanta writes. For the latest news and updates, [click here.]( [VIEWER'S GUIDE] Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat (TNT, 7 p.m. ET) Zach LaVine and the Bulls head to Miami to face Jimmy Butler and the Heat with the winner earning the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN, 9:30 p.m. ET) With just one playoff spot up for grabs the Timberwolves and Thunder battle in Minnesota, with the winner earning a playoff matchup with the Nuggets. Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers (Saturday, ESPN, 1 p.m. ET) Joel Embiid and the Sixers host the Nets looking to earn a home win over their division rival. Milwaukee Brewers at San Diego Padres (Saturday, FS1, 4:05 p.m. ET) Xander Bogaerts and the Padres host Christian Yelich and the Brewers in a clash of National League contenders. Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings (Saturday, ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET) The Kings welcome the Warriors to Sacramento in their first playoff game since 2006. Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies (Sunday, ABC, 3 p.m. ET) LeBron James and the Lakers take on Ja Morant and the Grizzlies in Memphis. Texas Rangers at Houston Astros (Sunday, ESPN, 7 p.m. ET) Two of the most exciting offenses in baseball collide when the Rangers head to Houston to meet the Astros. Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns (Sunday, TNT, 8 p.m. ET) Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers battle Kevin Durant and the Suns in a star-studded playoff clash. For all of today's games and scores, [click here](. [BET OF THE DAY] Odds provided by [FOX Bet]( Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings: Warriors to win series 4-2 (+240) From FOX Sports NBA Analyst: Ric Bucher Warriors in 6. I might feel different if the Kings had any kind of shot-blocking presence, but they have none, and despite Domantas Sabonis controlling the boards, the Warriors won three of their four regular-season meetings. In a battle of offensive powerhouses, I’m not about to bet against the team that has lost a TOTAL of five games in its last six first-round series. Not having home-court advantage for a team that was 11-30 on the road is a concern, but they did win four of their last five. For the latest betting odds, [click here](. [FOLLOW FOX SPORTS] [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [YouTube]( [Instagram]( Download FOX Sports App: [Fire TV]( [Roku]( [Google Play]( [App Store]( [Fire TV]( [Roku]( [App Store]( [Google Play]( Also available on these devices: [fireTV | AppleTV | ROKU | Google Chromecast | XBOX ONE | SAMSUNG Smart TV | Vizio | LG Smart TV] [fireTV | AppleTV | ROKU | Google Chromecast | XBOX ONE | SAMSUNG Smart TV | Vizio | LG Smart TV] Trademark & Copyright Notice: ™ and © 2023 Fox Media LLC and FOX Sports Interactive Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Please do not reply to this message. If you do not wish to receive emails like this in the future, please [unsubscribe](. FOX Sports respects your privacy. Click [here]( to view our Privacy Policy. Fox.com Business & Legal Affairs - Manager Digital Media P.O. 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