They improved on their 84–78 record from 2009 by finishing the regular season 96–66, and qualifying for the postseason for the second time in history by winning their second American League East championship in three years.

[1] Second baseman Akinori Iwamura was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for relief pitcher Jesse Chavez on November 3, 2009.

Both players would make the same amount of money in 2010, but while Burrell would be at the end of his contract following the conclusion of the season, Bradley was owed $13 million in 2011, a price the Rays were not willing to take on all of.

[12] On February 3, 2010, the Rays signed reliever Mike Ekstrom, recently waived by the San Diego Padres, to a minor-league contract and placed him on the 40-man roster.

Catcher Alvin Colina and reliever Heath Phillips were also signed to minor-league contracts and invited to spring training.

Andrew Friedman, the Rays' Vice President of Baseball Operations, said that the one-year deal was not done with the intention of bringing Baldelli back as a player in 2010, but also said that "anything's possible.

The first occurred on July 23, 2009, when Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox did not allow a single Rays batter to reach base, which was also the most recent perfect game pitched prior to Braden's.

[31] Having already missed the start of the season, relief pitcher J. P. Howell threw in a simulated game, but was forced to stop after only 12 pitches.

After being examined by the Rays' head athletic trainer, manager Joe Maddon talked to reporters saying that Howell had a "definite setback.

[36] In the 2010 MLB draft, the Rays used their first selection (17th overall) on Josh Sale, an outfielder out of Bishop Blanchet High School, located in Seattle, Washington.

Left fielder Carl Crawford was removed from that day's game with soreness in his shoulder and reported as day-to-day, so outfielder Matt Joyce was called up to take the open spot on the roster.

Manager Joe Maddon praised Blalock for his work ethic, professionalism, and the impact he had in the clubhouse, but said there just weren't enough opportunities for him with the team.

Left fielder Carl Crawford and third baseman Evan Longoria were both named starters by way of fan vote, while pitcher David Price was elected by the players.

Jeremy Hellickson, one of the Rays' best pitching prospects, made his major league debut on August 2 against the Minnesota Twins.

[51] In his debut, Hellickson pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on three hits and retired the first ten batters he faced, ending up as the winning pitcher.

[55] Starting pitchers Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis were both placed on the 15-day disabled list on August 9 for shoulder strains.

[57] On August 27, the Rays signed outfielder Brad Hawpe to a minor league contract and assigned him to class-A Charlotte.

They trailed the New York Yankees for the division lead by a single game, though the two teams had been tied for first place in each of the previous eight days.

[60] However the Rays were still in position to make the playoffs heading into the last full month of the regular season, leading the Boston Red Sox in the wild card by seven games.

On the first of September, Rocco Baldelli, Jeremy Hellickson, Desmond Jennings and Dioner Navarro were all called up as a result of roster expansions, with Dale Thayer being sent down.

[63] On the final day of the regular season, the AL East was still up for grabs with both the Rays and New York Yankees tied for first place.

When all was said and done, both happened, as the Yankees lost to the Boston Red Sox prior to the Rays defeating the Kansas City Royals in extra innings.

The Rangers finished the regular season with a 90–72 record, and won the AL West division championship to clinch their first postseason berth since 1999.

The series opened at Tropicana Field for Game 1, with the Rays sending out 19-game winner David Price against Cliff Lee of the Rangers.

The Rangers added to their lead in the 5th when Vladimir Guerrero doubled off the wall in center field, which scored Josh Hamilton from 2nd base to make it 5–0.

Texas added another run in the 6th inning, and held the Rays scoreless, winning 6–0 and taking a commanding 2–0 lead in the best-of-five series.

Carlos Peña tripled to left-center field in the 2nd inning, and scored on an error by Rangers' second baseman Ian Kinsler, who misplayed a pop fly beyond the infield.

The next batter was Peña, who hit a double of his own to the opposite field, bringing Longoria home and giving the Rays a 2–0 lead.

Derek Holland was sent in for relief, but Tampa Bay added to their lead when Longoria blasted a 2-run homer to left, making it 5–0.

Texas had the bases loaded in the bottom of the 5th, but Rays starter Wade Davis got Vladimir Guererro to swing and miss for a strikeout to end the threat.