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'Something a little bit new': The unique approach that carried the Rays to October

The American League leading Tampa Bay squad has reached the postseason behind a notably unusual offensive strategy for the modern game. Throughout the 98-win campaign, the group established the lowest swing-and-miss and strikeout marks across the Major Leagues, completely reversing a historic franchise tendency to sacrifice bat-on-ball success in favor of power.

Manager Kevin Cash acknowledged that this contact-heavy approach proved to be an unexpected evolution for the organization following several successful years marked by high whiff totals. As the team prepares for the upcoming American League Division Series opener, this retro style of offense contrasts sharply with the club's past analytical innovations.

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