No one gave the Tampa Bay Rays much of a chance heading into the 2018 season. Will they be able to follow up that surprising performance in 2019?
Heading into the 2018 campaign, very little was expected of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees and Red Sox were clearly considered the class of the AL East, and the Blue Jays refused to throw in the towel. The Rays and Orioles were expected to be also-rans, essentially serving as minor obstacles as those two powerhouses were set to contend for the division.
A funny thing happened along the way to the coronation of Red Sox and Yankees – the Rays were actually good. Despite trading away Evan Longoria before the season, and then moving on from Denard Span, Alex Colome, Wilson Ramos, Nathan Eovaldi, and Chris Archer during the year. In spite of those losses, the Rays continued to exceed expectations, ending the season with a 90-72 record.
To get there, the Rays employed unconventional strategies, such as utilizing the opener, to great effect. That strategy was copied by other teams, including the Brewers in their own run through the postseason. Once again, the Rays changed the way the game was played.
Will the Tampa Bay Rays be able to replicate that success next year? Let’s take a look back at how the Rays were able to find success.