Small-ball Rays and their low payroll are four wins from their first World Series title

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Junior Caminero took bites from a massive bone-in tomahawk steak in between questions from reporters inside a beer-soaked clubhouse as teammates danced around, sprayed bubbly and celebrated the Tampa Bay Rays’ third American League pennant.

The Rays and their low payroll and small-ball style are heading to the World Series seeking the first championship in franchise history.

After a three-game sweep of the rival New York Yankees in their Division Series, the Rays eliminated the Cleveland Guardians in six games by winning three in a row to close out the AL Championship Series.

Next up is a matchup against the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers, another thrifty club from a small market that also has never won a World Series.

Caminero, the All-Star third baseman who hit 42 homers during the regular season, finally connected for the first time in the postseason, launching a drive off the left-field foul pole to give the Rays a four-run cushion in the seventh inning of a 7-3 win Monday night.

He savored every second of his home run trot, emphatically pounding his chest before reaching first base and imitating Randy Arozarena’s signature pose before crossing the plate while his former Tampa Bay teammate watched from the stands.

“Tampa, this is for you!” Caminero shouted to fans after the game. “Come on now! Let’s go!”

Veteran slugger Yandy Díaz, who guaranteed a Game 6 victory through an interpreter on Sunday, also blasted a two-run shot, going deep in the eighth after the Guardians closed to 5-3. Díaz also celebrated with a slow trot that wasn’t quite as demonstrative.

Díaz held the tomahawk steak, a tradition he started when the Rays clinched the AL East title, and flexed his arms while taking sprays of sparkling wine from teammates.

“Protein, medium well, big biceps,” Díaz said with a smile.

The Rays have time to enjoy their victory before heading to Milwaukee to face the Brewers in Game 1 on Friday night.

They got here by winning 98 games in the regular season thanks to excellent pitching, strong defense and a group of unselfish hitters with a knack for bunting and playing fundamental baseball. They opened the season with a payroll of $90.5 million that ranked 26th in the majors.

“These guys deserve it. It’s a special group,” Rays President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander said. “These guys did an unbelievable job coming together, exploding for 98 wins and building belief in one another. I’ve never seen a group come together like this one has with so many different ways to beat an opponent on a given night, so many ways to play to the scoreboard. They don’t bludgeon people; they just find ways to win and a lot of different ways to do it.”

The Rays are in the postseason for the sixth time under manager Kevin Cash. They lost the World Series to the Dodgers in 2020 and the Phillies in 2008.

This group has dominant pitching led by ace Drew Rasmussen, ALCS MVP Freddy Peralta and closer Bryan Baker.

“I thought this team really came together about as well as you could in the spring training setting, given the roster turnover that took place," Cash said. “There were a lot of new faces. And you could sense it was a pretty close-knit group.”

Now, the Rays are four wins from capturing the first World Series crown in the franchise's 29 seasons.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Díaz celebrates their win against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen celebrates their win against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

The Tampa Bay Rays celebrate their win against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta celebrates after their win against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 20, 2026--

UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS), a global leader in applied safety science, today announced a new certification pathway designed to help manufacturers of modular direct current (DC) energy storage systems, used for backup power for critical infrastructure and grid-scale energy storage, bring systems to market with greater flexibility and clearer documentation for installation reviews.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261020793648/en/

An energy storage system captures energy so it can be stored for later use and provides electricity to the grid or to a building’s wiring system. A battery energy storage system can help save energy by reducing the number of times electricity must be converted from one form to another, including conversion between alternating current (AC) and DC. It can also simplify the connection to solar panels, backup generators and other equipment. Many of these systems use a modular design, allowing manufacturers to combine different components for a project. However, confirming that those components work safely together can make certification and installation reviews more complex.

The new certification program offers manufacturers an alternative to seeking a full matched-assembly system listing at the outset. When a compatible subsystem is identified, the resulting certification documentation can provide manufacturers, developers and code authorities with information about the evaluated configuration.

“Modular energy storage designs require a clear way to demonstrate how the system and its critical subsystems work together,” said Wesley Kwok, vice president and general manager of the Energy and Industrial Automation group at UL Solutions. “This certification program gives manufacturers, developers and code authorities documented information about evaluated system combinations while supporting a more flexible approach to DC energy storage system design.”

Through the new certification program, UL Solutions evaluates the DC energy storage system with each identified subsystem to applicable requirements of UL 9540, the Standard for Energy Storage Systems and Equipment. The evaluation addresses electrical, communication and interoperability between the system and its evaluated subsystems. Compatible subsystem models are documented in the UL Product iQ ® certification database under the DC energy storage system certification category, allowing code authorities to verify evaluated combinations.

UL 9540 testing covers electrical, electrochemical, mechanical and other types of energy storage technologies used in systems intended to supply electrical energy. Its evaluation framework includes charging and discharging, protection, controls, communication between devices and other system-level considerations.

Learn more about UL Solutions energy storage system testing and certification services at UL.com/services/energy-storage-system-testing-and-certification.

About UL Solutions

A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions Inc. (NYSE: ULS) transforms safety, security and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 110 countries. UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, advisory offerings and software solutions that support our customers’ product innovation and business growth. The UL Mark serves as a recognized symbol of trust in our customers’ products and reflects an unwavering commitment to advancing our safety mission. We help our customers innovate, launch new products and services, navigate global markets and complex supply chains, and grow sustainably and responsibly into the future. Our science is your advantage.

Modular DC battery energy storage systems can be configured with different components to meet project needs. The new UL Solutions certification pathway evaluates identified system combinations for electrical safety, communication and interoperability.