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MLB Postseason Contenders or Pretenders?

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Apr 30, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros players celebrate Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) game-winning RBI hit against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the 10th inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros players celebrate Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) game-winning RBI hit against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the 10th inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 18, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi (23) throws a pitch during a baseball game at Tropicana Field. The New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 9-0. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi (23) throws a pitch during a baseball game at Tropicana Field. The New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 9-0. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

2nd Place. AL East. Tampa Bay Rays. 2. player. 21.

Right now the American League East is very much up for grabs. Through Thursday, the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox each had records worse than .500. The Tampa Bay Rays, on the other hand, were 15-13 and in line for the second Wild Card spot.

By now, we’re used to seeing the Rays in the playoff hunt. But after a disappointing 2014, this year’s club entered the season with modest expectations. The roster has turned over once again – stars David Price and Ben Zobrist and familiar faces Jose Molina, Yunel Escobar and Wil Myers are no longer with the club – and the players that replaced them, including Rene Rivera, Asdrubal Cabrera and Steven Souza, aren’t exactly household names.

The Tampa Bay roster already has a very thin margin for error, but the injury bug has already bitten the Rays. Desmond Jannings, Ryan Brett, Nick Franklin, John Jaso, and Kirby Yates are currently on the DL and Alex Cobb, Jake McGee and James Loney were sidelined with injuries in April. Ace Matt Moore isn’t expected back from Tommy John surgery until at least June.

Still, thanks to strong early performances from starters Chris Archer (3-3, 1.64 ERA), Jake Odorizzi (3-2, 2.21), Drew Smyly (0-1, 2.70) and Alex Colome (2-0, 1.80), as well as closer Brad Boxberger (2-1, 1.59, 7 saves), the surprising Logan Forsythe (.301/.381/.473, 2 home runs, 12 RBI) and the ever-consistent Evan Longoria (.284/.400/.474, 3 home runs, 18 walks), the Rays are in the mix for a playoff spot – at least for now.

One of the brightest spots on the roster, the Rays relievers have a worse than average 3.88 ERA, but opponents are hitting just .218 across 95 innings, which is the fourth best mark in the American League and seventh best in the Majors.

Because they put together a sting of six consecutive winning seasons through 2013, the Rays have earned the benefit of the doubt. However, the makeup of this club just doesn’t match up with those of the past half-decade. And because of their familiar low-budget ways, Tampa Bay isn’t likely to make a big move in the summer trade market. Basically, the Rays are more likely to repeat last season’s 77-85, fourth place finish than make it to the postseason.

The Rays are a: Pretender

Next: Minnesota Twins

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