2020 Tampa Bay Rays MLB Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays last year really looked impressive and for the most part, looked like one team in the AL East that had a chance of running down the Yankees. The problem for the Rays is the amount of time it took for the Tampa Bay team to get going last year. The team was unable to really get going until the season was over half over and by then the Yankees had almost clinched the division and that could really hurt the Rays chances of doing good this year.
Tampa Bay Rays Starting Rotation
The starting rotation for the Rays was fairly strong last year and looks good again this year. The Rays are projected to have Charlie Morton at the top, Blake Snell throwing second, Tyler Glasnow in third, Ryan Yarbrough in the 4th spot and Yonny Chirinos bringing up the 5th starting spot. Morton is still fairly new to the Rays, but last year threw in 33 games. Morton threw a total of 194.2 innings while striking out 240 batters while getting a 16-6 record and a 3.05 ERA.
Tampa Bay Rays Relievers
The Rays managed last year to take a band of relievers that were not well known in their field and turn them into champions. The relievers for Tampa definitely looked good at times, but at the same time the Rays relief did let some good games slip away from them. However, the top reliever, outside of the closer, for Tampa Bay is Chaz Roe. The closer is by committee type of approach for the Rays. Nick Anderson is the top closer, though for the Rays. Anderson is still new to the Rays with only 23 games pitched last year s a Ray after coming from the Marlins, but Anderson did throw 21.1 innings with 41 strikeouts, but had 9 holds and only 3 blown saves.
Tampa Bay Rays Catchers
The catchers for the Tampa By team is decent this year with Mike Zunino back this year for the second season with the Rays after being with the Mariners for quite some time. He will most likely split time again with Michael Perez for the team. Last year, though, Zunino hit at a clip of only .165 with 9 homers and 32 RBIs, which is very lacking for a bat for the Rays. With the Rays, though, Zunino did throw out 38.6% of the runner.
Tampa Bay Rays The Corners
The Rays are looking good for the corners with Ji-Man Choi at first and Yandy Diaz at third. The backup for the Rays at first is Jose Martinez and Joey Wendle for third. Last year Choi played in 127 games with an average of .261 with 19 homers and 63 RBIs. Diaz for his part only played in 79 games for the Rays last year with a .267 average, 14 homers, but only managed to bring home 38 runners.
Tamp Bay Rays Middle Infield
Tampa Bay looks impressive in the middle infield with Brandon Lowe at second place, but Willy Adames is playing shortstop. Last year Lowe played 82 games in his second year for the Rays, with a .270 average and 17 homers with 51 RBIs. For the Rays, at the shortstop position the Rays were able to rely on Willy Adames who is with the Rays for his second year as well. Adames played in 152 games last year with a .254 average, 20 homers and 52 RBIs on the year.
Tampa Bay Rays Outfield
The outfield for Tampa looks great on the year with Austin Meadows in left field, Kevin Kiermier in center field and Hunter Renfroe playing in right field. The backup for left field is Yoshitomo Tsutsugo with Manuel Margot backing up the other 2 positions in the outfield. Last season Meadows played in 138 games while hitting at a clip of .291, 33 homers, and 89 runners brought home. Kevin Kiermaier played in 129 games, but only hit at a clip of .228 on the yer with 14 homers and 55 runners brought home. Hunter Renfroe is the addition in the offseason for the Rays. Last year Renfroe played for the Padres and he played in 140 games. The downside is Renfroe only hit at a clip of .216 on the year with 33 homers and 64 runners brought home.
Tampa Bay Rays Designated Hitter
The designated hitter for the Rays is Yoshitomo Tsutsugo. However, he is coming over from Japan this year and does not have any American stats to rely on to predict how good he could be this year. The mystery, though, could really help the Rays out and coming in at 28 years old, he could definitely have some experience on his side to help him out in getting the hitting going.
Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
The Rays are one team that had a taste of success last season and would like to build upon that success this year. Look for the Rays to have some issues in getting their hitting going early on this year. The pitching for the Rays will be spot on for the year and that will help to keep the Rays competitive and help guide them to the wins that are needed. However, the Rays are not going to be able to play well enough to track down the Yankees, but should do good enough to finish ahead of the Red Sox.
