Tampa Bay Rays setting themselves up for 2019 run
By David Hill
Time may be running out for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018, but they have set themselves up nicely for the 2019 campaign.
Few teams have been as hot as the Tampa Bay Rays have over their past 20 games. At 14-6 over that time frame, only the Cardinals have had a better record. Yet, for that recent run of success, the Rays have just a 0.1% chance of making the playoffs, as they need to make up eight games on the Oakland A’s over the next four weeks.
Just the fact that the Rays have gotten to this point is nothing short of miraculous. Ryne Stanek, operating as one of the main openers, has made the second most starts on the team. For a time, the Rays actually did not have a starting pitcher listed on the depth chart due to their injuries. Prior to that, Chris Archer was their only actual starting pitcher, a one man rotation that would have made Old Hoss Radbourn proud.
Now that the season is coming to an end, the Rays have the beginnings of an actual rotation. Blake Snell has had a breakout campaign, posting a stellar 17-5 record with a 2.02 ERA and a 1.009 WHiP, striking out 177 batters in 151.2 innings. While he may not get the same recognition as some of the other Cy Young candidates in the AL, Snell certainly has a case for the award.
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Joining Snell as a part of the Rays rotation is Tyler Glasnow. A former top prospect with the Pirates, Glasnow has rediscovered that form since coming to Tampa Bay as part of the Chris Archer trade. In his six starts with the Rays, he has allowed just 26 baserunners in his 30.2 innings, striking out 38 batters. In what is admittedly a small sample size, his command problems have gone away, helping Glasnow tap into his immense potential.
As 2019 continues, the Rays will be getting reinforcements as well. Brent Honeywell and Jose De Leon should be back in time for the second half of the season. Jose Mujica and Chih-Wei Hu could fill in at the start of the year. And, it is always possible that Stanek reprises his role as the opener next season.
Even though the Rays recent run of success may have come too late for it to matter in 2018, this is a stepping stone for the coming season. The young Rays have a confidence about them, the belief that they can compete with anyone. If, by some miracle, they do reach the postseason this year, they will be a difficult out.
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However, that momentum may well carry over into 2019. The Tampa Bay Rays could end up being a surprise team next year, ready to contend once more with the likes of the Red Sox and the Yankees.