How do the Rays stack up against AL East rivals?
This story was excerpted from Adam Berry’s Rays Beat e-newsletter. To learn the complete e-newsletter, click on right here. And subscribe to get it often in your inbox.
ST. PETERSBURG — In a method, final yr was the ultimate American League East race of its sort.
As a part of a extra balanced MLB schedule, the Rays will now not play 19 video games over six collection in opposition to every of their division rivals. This yr, these AL East slugfests can be barely scaled again to 13 conferences throughout 4 complete collection. That means a complete of 52 divisional video games per group, down from 76 in previous seasons.
But the competitors within the AL East isn’t any completely different than earlier than. If something, it’s solely going to get more durable.
Tampa Bay has been comparatively quiet to date this winter, nevertheless it nonetheless has the expertise to contend for an additional journey to the postseason. FanGraphs’ projected WAR totals present a snapshot of every roster, and by that metric, the Rays rank fifth — behind solely the Yankees, Mets, Padres and Braves. It’s not exhausting to think about a few of these projections enjoying out if the Rays keep wholesome and get star-level manufacturing from Wander Franco, Yandy Díaz, Brandon Lowe, Shane McClanahan and Tyler Glasnow.
Let’s take a look at how Tampa Bay’s AL East competitors has modified this offseason.
Yankees
Last season: 99-63, first place
The Rays went 8-11 final season in opposition to the Yankees, the one division rival who received their season collection vs. Tampa Bay, however they misplaced 5 of these video games by only one run. Considering how deep each rotations look, count on extra shut video games this yr.
Blue Jays
Last season: 92-70, second place
Where does that depart Toronto? Maybe rather less imposing offensively, however rather more balanced. The Blue Jays have primarily rebranded their outfield, turning it right into a doubtlessly glorious run-prevention unit in assist of a well-rounded pitching employees. It’ll in the end come all the way down to how their star hitters carry out and the way their high starters maintain up, however they definitely have the expertise to contend for the division.
Orioles
Last season: 83-79, fourth place
You may see their year-to-year enchancment by means of their file in opposition to the Rays alone: 1-18 in 2021, then 9-10 final yr. Baltimore can be aggressive once more in 2023.
Red Sox
Last season: 78-84, final place
Their largest determination was extending Rafael Devers for 11 years and $331 million, per a supply, however there’s been a number of roster turnover in Boston.
The Red Sox appear caught within the center, with sufficient expertise to compete however most likely not sufficient to win the division until a number of issues break their method. Still, with Devers secured, that path exists in the event that they get higher well being from their rotation (particularly Chris Sale), a star-level season from Trevor Story, the bullpen stability they paid for and massive league improvement from Triston Casas and Brayan Bello.
