Stinge Rays

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Going into tonight’s game, Tampa has surrendered a total of 67 runs over its past 33 games. That is, by far, the lowest runs-allowed total over a 33-game sequence by any AL team since the DH rule was adopted in 1973, and is almost unprecedented in the majors since the spitball was banned in 1920.

Fewest Runs Allowed by an American League Team Over a 33-Game Stretch, since 1973:
Rays 67 (July 19-August 23, 2012)
Rays 76 (July 17-August 21, 2012)
Rays 77 (July 18-August 22, 2012)
Rays 78 (July 16-August 20, 2012)
Orioles 78 (August 27-September 29, 1974)
Yankees 78 (June 11-September 12, 1981)
Rays 79 (July 13-August 17, 2012)

Those are the only AL teams since 1973 to hold their opponents under 80 runs over a 33-game stretch. That Yankees streak started with the last day before a players’ strike halted the season, and then picked up with the first 32 games after the season re-started.

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Hartvig

12 years ago

Obviously you started in 1973 because of the 1972 Orioles. Do you have any comparable numbers for them?

Still, really impressive stuff by the Rays, especially when you consider they have been without their best defensive player for most of the season and only 2 of their pitchers-Price and Rodney- are having really exceptional seasons.

Richard Chester

12 years ago

Reply to Hartvig

The 1972 Orioles had a streak of 70 RA in 33 games from June 2 to July 6.
The 1968 Indians had a 33 game streak in which they allowed 60 runs, from April 28 to May 30.

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Doug

12 years ago

Reply to Richard Chester

Richard,

Pray tell how you found these streaks.

Thanks,

Richard Chester

12 years ago

Reply to Doug

Doug: Here’s what I did.
Play index
Game Result Search Tools
Streaks
Games in streak = 33
Year = 1968
AL(single year)
Order by runs allowed
Find streaks
Then scroll to Bottom 200 Performances

I chose 1968 for obvious reasons.

It was fun figuring it out.

For a 7-game span from 6-2-50 to 6-8-50 the Red Sox scored 104 runs in 7 games. Some day when I feel like it I may try to see if that is a record. You have to scroll through the years one-by-one.

Doug

12 years ago

Reply to Richard Chester

Thanks Richard,

I’ve never even noticed there was a Game Result Search tool. I’ll have to check it out.

Richard Chester

12 years ago

Reply to Richard Chester

Post #7: In case anyone is interested that 104 runs scored streak by the Red Sox is the record. At the heart of the streak are two consecutive games against the Browns when they scored 49 runs. The Sox also have streaks of 100 and 97 runs scored enveloping those two games.

Fourth best is 88 runs scored by the A’s in 1930 followed by 87 for the Cubs also in 1930.

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birtelcom

12 years ago

Reply to Hartvig

I actually started in ’73 because that’s when the DH began, and pitching for any AL team got that much harder. But those ’72 0’s pitchers did have an impressive streak.

Forrest

12 years ago

Now that’s pretty interesting. I would’ve thought that somebody like the Dodgers or Cardinals would be on this list.

ReliefMan

12 years ago

Reply to Forrest

What, did they sneak into the American League for a season when no one was looking?

Jim Bouldin

12 years ago

You have to like what the Rays continue to do year after year, especially in that division. Angels and Tigers better seriously swing things into gear or they will be on the outside looking in come playoff time.