With the start of the 2019 season rapidly approaching, I believe it’s time that we give you the ultimate breakdown of each division and predict their position in the standings come season’s end. It’s hard to predict record, so we’ll just give you their placement in the standings. Of course, this is coming from a fan’s perspective and what we think it could look like, not what it will. Today, we focus on the American League East and the Tampa Bay Rays:
Tampa Bay Rays
2018 record: 90-72, 3rd in AL East
Projected Lineup:
CF Kevin Kiermaier
3B Matt Duffy
2B Joey Wendle
LF Tommy Pham
DH Avisail Garcia
SS Willy Adames
RF Austin Meadows
1B Yandy Diaz
C Mike Zunino
Starting Rotation:
LH Blake Snell
RH Charlie Morton
RH Tyler Glasnow
RH Brent Honeywell
RH Ryne Stanek
Key Bullpen Pieces:
RH Chaz Roe
LH Jose Alvarado
LH Ryan Yarbrough
Key Bench Pieces:
1B/DH Ji-Man Choi
INF Daniel Robertson
3B Christian Arroyo
OF Guillermo Heredia
The Tampa Bay Rays shocked the world winning 90 games in 2018 after being projected by many to finish below .500. Now the question remains, can they do it again? Well, they do have some strong offensive pieces in guys like Kiermaier, Pham and Wendle. Wendle, in his first year in Tampa broke out, hitting .300, .789 OPS and 146 hits. He’s expected to be a key piece in the top of that order. Be sure to keep your eye on Avisail Garcia, who was non tendered by the White Sox earlier this offseason before signing a one year deal with the Rays. Garcia is entering his age 28 season. 2018 was an unfortunate year for him as he battled injuries and played in just 93 games, but back in 2017 he showed he can be an offensive weapon. .330 average, .885 OPS, 171 hits, 18 home runs, 27 doubles. If he can stay healthy and get a full season under his belt, look for him as a potential Comeback Player of the Year candidate.
The rotation throughout the year will be something to watch, as well. The Rays were one of the first teams to use the “opener” last year, but I think as the season goes on they won’t need to as they will have a pretty decent rotation, headlined by Snell who looks to follow up his Cy Young season entering just his age 26 season. They signed Charlie Morton who, although just turned 35, has had two outstanding seasons after figuring it out with the Astros. 364 strikeouts and a 3.37 ERA over those two years. Sooner or later, the Rays will also get their top pitching prospect in Honeywell back after missing 2018 recovering from Tommy John surgery. He’s expected to join the Rays in mid-May.
The bullpen has a few good arms who manager Kevin Cash plans to use as openers throughout 2019. The primary arm is Stanek, who appeared in 59 games with 29 starts last year. He pitched to a 2.98 ERA with a 1.065 WHIP and a 3.55 FIP. They’ll also have Alvarado from the left side out of the pen. 70 games, 2.39 ERA, 1.109 WHIP, 2.27 FIP and 80 strikeouts in 2018.
It will be tough for the Rays to repeat what they did in 2018, but it’s not impossible. They are certainly projected to win far more than they were this time last year.
2019 prediction: 3rd in AL East
