MLB Win Totals 2021: Predicting AL East Over Unders

MLB Win Totals 2021: Tampa Bay Rays

Over/Under 85.5 wins

Prediction: Over

The Rays won the most games in the American League during the 60-game MLB season and carried the momentum all the way to the World Series. Though executing their responsibilities as a small-market team meant trading Blake Snell and not re-signing Charlie Morton this offseason.

While most clubs would run for the hills after losing their second and third-best starting pitchers, Tampa will naturally roll out a handful of talented arms to absorb the departures. The Rays likely won’t be as dominant as they were a year ago, but that’s not in question at the moment. We’re trying to determine if they can win 86 games.

They’re returning the same offense that scored the sixth-most runs in the AL in 2020. Everyone who follows baseball is anxious to see what Randy Arozarena has in store for year two; everyone who follows prospects is anxious to see MLB’s number-one prospect, Wander Franco, debut for the Rays at shortstop sometime this season.

Tampa will become even more athletic with Franco on the field. They already have Arozarena, Kevin Kiermaier, and Manuel Margot out there – not to mention current shortstop Willy Adames.

They’re among the elite defensive squads in MLB and perhaps the most balanced. The Rays habitually maximize their talent. They have a manager that pushes the right buttons (except that one time), and year in and year out, their organization shuffles in mature, MLB-ready pitchers.

What’s not to like about the Tampa Bay Rays? They’re on their way to at least 86 wins in 2021.