TAMPA — There was little drama, and certainly no surprise, as the Rays had been heading this direction for a while, especially in the last week or so.

There already had been talk of rookies getting additional opportunities that will benefit them next season. Friday afternoon, some players packed boxes with gear, clearly not expecting to be returning after this weekend to play again at Steinbrenner Field.

And with an ugly 11-7 loss to the Red Sox in Game 154, the inevitable became official as the Rays were formally eliminated from the American League playoff race.

“It’s frustrating,” Rays starter Drew Rasmussen said. “It sucks. It sucks to not be in the playoff picture.”

Worse, after reaching the postseason for five straight seasons from 2019-2023 — including a 2020 run to the World Ser

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