Tampa Bay Rays facing themselves with Oakland Athletics
The Tampa Bay Rays made the postseason despite having the lowest Opening Day payroll in Major League Baseball. They are the first team to do that since…the 2018 Oakland Athletics.
Despite having the lowest Opening Day payroll in Major League Baseball heading into the season, the Tampa Bay Rays were expected to contend for the postseason. A year after they surprisingly won 90 games, the Rays had strengthened their roster, adding the likes of Charlie Morton and Yandy Diaz to improve what was already a competitive team.
On Friday, the expectation that the Rays would be a playoff team were borne out, as Tampa Bay clinched one of the Wild Card berths. In doing so, they became the first team to make the postseason with the lowest payroll on Opening Day since…the 2018 Oakland Athletics.
The Rays had the lowest Opening Day payroll in MLB.
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 28, 2019
Now, they're in the playoffs.
They're just the 2nd team since payroll has been tracked (31 seasons) to make the playoffs despite having the lowest Opening Day payroll.
The other? 2018 A's.
TB will face 2019 A's in AL WC gm
It is, in a way, fitting that the Rays are facing off against the Athletics in the Wild Card matchup. The A’s, after all, had become infamous for their ability to get the most out of a minimal payroll, dating back to the MoneyBall days of the early 2000s.
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The A’s success was nothing short of miraculous. They went on a tear after June 15, going 61-31 through the end of the season to reach the playoffs. Their rotation was a patchwork collection of misfits and castoffs after Sean Manaea was lost to injury, but the A’s were able to use a strong bullpen and a solid lineup to find their way to October.
The Rays are not quite in the same boat. They have relied upon their bullpen, especially given their proclivity for using an Opener. The lineup has been solid, anchored by Tommy Pham, Austin Meadows, and Ji-Man Choi. However, the difference is in their rotation.
Although Morton has been the only starter to remain healthy all season, the Rays rotation is seemingly built for October. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are both healthy once more, providing a formidable trio atop the rotation. Yonny Chirinos is also healthy again, but may function as an opener should the Rays advance beyond the Wild Card game.
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If the Tampa Bay Rays are to do so, they will need to get past the Oakland Athletics. It is fitting that these two franchises will face off in the Wild Card Game, especially given their similar payroll constraints.