Marc Topkin’s three takeaways from the Rays 5-2 Friday win over the Giants:
• Wins are always better than losses, and easy wins better than tight ones. But surviving a game such as Friday’s, where the momentum and the crowd were against the Rays, can pay dividends later.
• Wilmer Font’s position in the bullpen seemed a bit shaky during an unimpressive spring, but he seemed to get the benefit of the doubt due to his out-of-options status. More rough outings like vs. the Giants — three hits and two runs in two-thirds of an inning — might change that.
• The quality of the arms the Rays have in the bullpen, as well as with their three starters, has been a clear reason for their success thus far, noted by opponents, and, if they can keep it up, a reason for optimism going forward.