Tampa Bay Rays 2010 Preview, Predictions & Odds

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Tampa Bay Rays 2009 MLB Record: 84-78
Tampa Bay Rays 2009 MLB Home Record: 52-29
Tampa Bay Rays 2009 MLB Away Record: 32-49

Tampa Bay Rays 2010 Betting

Tampa Bay Rays Odds to Win the American League: 11/2
Tampa Bay Rays Odds to Win the World Series: 11/1

Tampa Bay Rays 2010 Preview & Prediction

For the Rays to prevail in the AL East, three things have to happen – and two of them are beyond their control. Besides minding their own biz, they must helplessly hope that both the Yankees and Red Sox shuffle themselves down the pecking order in the game’s most formidable division. Such are the cards stacked against a franchise whose resources, tradition, fan support, exposure, culture and overall mojo are strictly ace-high to the competition’s full house. Though it might take drawing into a straight flush to return to the World Series, this is a Rays team with good balance and great athleticism. That might get them 90-to-95 wins but, come October, merely a comfy seat on the sofa.

Tampa Bay Rays Manager: Joe Maddon (6 Seasons) Record: 335 – 364

Tampa Bay Rays 2010 Projected Batting Order: SS Jason Bartlett (R), LF Carl Crawford (L), 1B Carlos Pena (L), 3B Evan Longoria (R), 2B Ben Zobrist (S), CF B.J. Upton (R), DH Pat Burrell (R), RF Matt Joyce (L), C Dioner Navarro (S)

Tampa Bay Rays 2010 Projected Rotation: RH Matt Garza, RH James Shields, RH Jeff Niemann, LH David Price, RH Wade Davis

Tampa Bay Rays 2010 Projected Closer: RH Rafael Soriano

2010 Tampa Bay Rays Rotation:

The Rays learned last season that, as much potential as their kid pitchers possess, it doesn’t always emerge in linear measure. All four holdovers from the 2008 pennant-winning rotation regressed, leaving it to a rookie who barely made the roster to become its n10st reliable option. The statute of limitations had nearly run out on Jeff Niemann when he up and went 13-6. The former first-round draft pick’s stuff is too pedestrian to be the ace archetype, but he’s a battler who keeps the ball in the park. With the August trade of Scott Kazmir, the ostensible mantle of rotation-topper was passed to the more live-armed Matt Garza, whose win total could double with a modicum of luck and support. He’s the Ray most likely to throw a no-hitter and/or lead the league in strikeouts. James Shields is an innings- gobbler (second-most in the AL the last three years). A change-up specialist, he trades off a little hit ability for control and gumption. Few lefties in baseball can match the upside of 24-year-old David Price, who was eased into the team photo in late May. Initially wild, he established economy as the season progressed, though he’s still tinkering with his repertoire. A trio of right handers grapple for the final berth, with the edge to power-pitching freshman Wade Davis (also 24). Behind him, 22-year-old Jeremy Hellickson is nearly ready, and Andy Sonnanstine (a former 13-game winner who was brutalized last year) can be serviceable.

2009-2010 Tampa Bay Rays Bullpen:

Starting with an 11th inning walk-off homer by Mariner Ryan Langerhans off J.P. Howell on Aug. 7, the Rays gave away 13 games in the standings, betrayed by a bullpen that suffered 11 losses and blew nine saves in eight weeks. Manager Joe Maddon’s relievers finished with the most appearances but fewest innings in the AL, which both portrayed the group as sketchy and Maddon as a mad scientist. While the organization is not dogmatic about the single- closer theory, the skipper would rather not have to squeeze saves out of nine different pitchers again. That’s where Rafael Soriano comes in. With a hopping fastball, quick slider and late-lunging split, he’s the only reliever with traditional back-end tools. For Atlanta, Soriano went 27-of-31 in saves, held righties to a .138 average and ranked second among all relievers in strikeouts. The rub, however, is that his twice-cut elbow has cost him almost three entire seasons. Good thing the club has Plans B through F. Howell, Dan Wheeler, Grant Balfour, Lance Cormier and Randy Choate all have had closing experience, albeit not always good ones. Slotted properly, though, they comprise a formidable, flexible tag-team.

2010 Tampa Bay Rays Middle Infield:

Kudos to Andrew Friedn1an for heisting Jason Bartlett from the Twins two years ago, but if the GM says he knew his shortstop would be this good, he’s lying like the rug that drapes his diamond. Bartlett not only set a team record with his .320 average, but he also checked in at an AL-high .386 with runners in scoring position and out-OPSed even Derek Jeter. His rangy defense, proficient base thievery and impeccable instincts are the thread in the team tapestry regardless of whether his bat retreats. Bartlett danced with five DP’ partners last year, but Ben Zobrist should stay put in 2010. The former .222 career hitter summoned an All-Star (and tean1 MVP) season with the seventh-highest slugging percentage (.543) in the AL. Developed as a shortstop, he is above average at second. When Maddon gets to doodling with defensive deployment, he can dispatch Z to almost any other position and replace him with Sean Rodriguez.

2010 Tampa Bay Rays Corners:

The only corner tandem that can challenge Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena-Evan Longoria wears pinstripes. But Pena’s batting average, walk rate and strikeout frequency have veered in the wrong directions the last two years and, a season after winning a Gold Glove, he led AL first basemen in errors. There has been no erosion of power; he’s averaged 39 homers since 2007 despite never having recorded 500 at-bats. Longoria, on the other hand, is facing a long pattern of upward trending.

2010 Tampa Bay Rays Outfield:

Since 2005, the Rays have trotted out arguably the best all-around left fielder there is, a crazy-talented center fielder who can’t quite take the next step and whoever raises his hand first in right. Same plot line in 2010. Carl Crawford may never be the batting champ nor 30-home run guy that he once portended, but the package is formidable. Mark him down for a .300 average, 15 bombs and 50 steals. Leather-wise, he might be the best left fielder never to win a Gold Glove. Beside hin1, B.J. Upton (like predecessor Rocco Baldelli) boasts filthy ability, but just can’t get traction. He’s slid backward since his .300-24-82 alleged breakout of 2007. He could track down a BB in the dark, and he steals bags – 42 of them despite ranking 111th in the majors in times on base. The time is now for Matt Joyce, 25, to justify his acquisition from Detroit for All-Star pitcher Edwin Jackson. The 4-A stigma has him in the cross hairs. In the grand design, Joyce platoons in right with southpaw-mauling Gabe Kapler for 25-to-30 bombs.

2010 Tampa Bay Rays Catching:

Friedman, who targeted catching as a priority upgrade, neither struck out nor hit one out of the park. New to the mix is Kelly Shoppach to push, and probably platoon with, Dioner Navarro. The incumbent need not return to his All-Star level of 2008, but another .218-hitting, defensively borderline stinker will not be abided. The right handed Shop has the same deficits as his switch-hitting counterpart – too many fly balls and irrepressible impatience – but far more power. Despite only 175 starts, he’s hit the fourth-most homers (33) among AL backstops since 2008.

2010 Tampa Bay Rays Bench:

Maddon’s shell game style of lineup card completion relies on a deep, multipurpose bench – and he’s got one. Willy Aybar is Zobrist-light, a capable switch-hitter with many gloves. Rodriguez can man second or third and, like the swift Fernando Perez, all three outfield positions. At some point, touted rookie Desmond Jennings will figure into the outfield fusion, as well. So many moving parts give the Rays myriad options at DH, where Burrell is the nominal operative. The marquee addition of 2009, he was a miserable, expensive bust.

Tampa Bay Rays 2010 Season Predictions

We predict that the Tampa Bay Rays will finish 3rd in the AL East Division .

Tampa Bay Rays 5-Year Win Trend

2009: 3rd AL East 84
2008: 1st AL East 97
2007: 5th AL East 66
2006: 5th AL East 61
2005: 5th AL East 67

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