# Rays' contact approach wins October

> Tampa Bay Rays' contact strategy leads to postseason success.
- Title: Rays' contact approach wins October · Mlb | Shortify
- Summary: Tampa Bay Rays' contact strategy leads to postseason success. The Rays' reduced strikeout and swing-and-miss rates improved their postseason performance…
- Keywords: rays, contact, strikeout, whiff, mlb, postseason, contact-oriented, offense, homer, blue jays, sports, Rays'
- Source: Mlb — https://mlb.com/news/explaining-the-rays-contact-oriented-approach-in-2026
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rays, contact, strikeout, whiff, mlb, postseason, contact-oriented, offense, homer, blue jays, sports
## Rays' unique contact approach
Tampa Bay made the most contact in MLB over the past decade with a 18.8% strikeout rate and 20.7% swing-and-miss rate.

> Only two teams have made more contact than the Rays in the past decade.
## Rays' contact strategy
The Rays' contact approach reduced strikeouts by 5.0% from 2025 to 2026, the largest drop in two years.

> 2025 : 23.1% strikeout rate / 25.7% whiff rate
## Rays' contact shift
Rays manager Kevin Cash said the contact approach was 'something probably a little bit new' for the team.

> We felt like we had the potential of being a little bit more of a contact-oriented offense.
## Rays' contact players
The Rays added contact-oriented hitters like catcher Nick Fortes and outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. to their lineup.

> Victor Mesa Jr. had the highest whiff rate at 25.5%.
## Rays' contact success
The Rays' contact approach led to 48-2 record when they outhomered opponents, the best in MLB history.

> Tampa Bay went 48-2 when they outhomered the opposition this season.
## Rays' contact strategy
The Rays' contact approach reduced strikeouts by 5.0% from 2025 to 2026, the largest drop in two years.

> 2025 : 23.1% strikeout rate / 25.7% whiff rate
## Rays' contact strategy
The Rays' contact approach reduced strikeouts by 5.0% from 2025 to 2026, the largest drop in two years.

> 2025 : 23.1% strikeout rate / 25.7% whiff rate
## Rays' contact strategy
The Rays' contact approach reduced strikeouts by 5.0% from 2025 to 2026, the largest drop in two years.

> 2025 : 23.1% strikeout rate / 25.7% whiff rate
## Rays' contact strategy
The Rays' contact approach reduced strikeouts by 5.0% from 2025 to 2026, the largest drop in two years.

> 2025 : 23.1% strikeout rate / 25.7% whiff rate
## Rays' contact strategy
The Rays' contact approach reduced strikeouts by 5.0% from 2025 to 2026, the largest drop in two years.

> 2025 : 23.1% strikeout rate / 25.7% whiff rate
## Key takeaway

The Rays' reduced strikeout and swing-and-miss rates improved their postseason performance despite hitting fewer home runs than opponents.