Aug 15, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Tampa Bay Rays ball cap and glove during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Rays 12-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

After a tough schedule for the first third of the season, the Tampa Bay Rays have a more desirable schedule in June that does not include any games against division leading team.

As a Tampa Bay Rays fan you know that your team had one of the hardest schedules in the MLB in the month of April. With that behind us and injured players returning and our recent streak of series wins we look ahead at what’s to come.

The season is one-third of the way over and the Rays have a record of 29-27 and are only four games out of first for the division lead in the AL East. The month of June will make or break the season and it is looking quite promising. A handful of key players such as Wilson Ramos, Matt Duffy and Brad Boxberger are target to return.

More importantly, the Rays have a very easy schedule in the month of June. Not only do they get two off days in the first five days of the month, which are much needed after their bullpen has been overworked recently, but they don’t play any teams leading a division. Even more so, the only team that they play with a winning record is the Baltimore Orioles who are struggling recently and have a record of 2-8 over their past ten games.

The teams the Rays play in June are the Mariners, White Sox, A’s, Blue Jays, Tigers, Reds, Orioles and Pirates. Those teams combine to have a record of 198-223, which comes out to be a winning percentage of 47 percent. All of this adds up to the Rays having a successful June and they should become buyers at the trade deadline.

The Rays have 26 games in June and I feel they can come out with a record of 18-8 and that should put them at least in second place in the division and leading in the Wild Card. This has been a fun season to watch and the fun should only continue.

Even though it is a tough American League East they should be in the hunt for the division title all season.