BoSox Injection
Fansided

Red Sox: A revised look at AL East division

By Rick McNair

Jul 20, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of the left field scoreboard showing the American League East standings prior to a game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of the left field scoreboard showing the American League East standings prior to a game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Apr 2, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A gener view of Tropicana Field on opening day between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A gener view of Tropicana Field on opening day between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

TAMPA BAY RAYS

The Rays are opposite of their counterparts in the AL East since you think pitching and not hitting first with Tampa. This should be no exception for 2017. With the Rays you never expect it to be easy and for AL East foes every game with the Rays is a “trap game.” Pitching will do that.

Chris Archer will again be the ace of their staff and may actually end up with a plus .500 record if he gets some reasonable run support. No one else approaches Archer among the starters, but they are all quite capable and would certainly draw interest if tossed out in trade scenarios.

My personal favorite is Blake Snell – a young lefty who walks far too many, but may soon develop into a solid number two starter. The bullpen for the Rays always seems in transition, but invariably does the job. I like Jumbo Diaz simply because he is far larger than El Guapo – Rich Garces of the Red Sox a few years back.

The Rays actually were leading the AL in hitting for a few weeks – the old adage about a blind squirrel applies. The lineup has Evan Longoria and a support group that certainly is far from the rest of the division. The hitting over the long haul will cause a lot of frustrating losses.

Strength – Pitching and some solid defense.

Weakness – Being in the AL East

Chances – Anything above 75 wins will be a plus.

Home/Red Sox News