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Best and worst case scenario for every MLB team in 2019

By Brad Weiss

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 3: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates after scoring a run during the American League Wild Card game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 3: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates after scoring a run during the American League Wild Card game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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ST PETERSBURG, FL – MAY 8: Blake Snell #4 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws a pitch in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves on May 8, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida. The Braves won 1-0. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Rays

Starters? We don’t need no stinking starters. At least that was the rallying cry of the Tampa Bay Rays last season, who utilized relief pitchers to open games last season, and were one of the bigger surprises in the American League. Playing with a tiny payroll, Tampa Bay won 90 games, which in most seasons, would have meant a spot in the postseason.

As they head into 2019, they have locked up their ace, as they signed Blake Snell to a long-term deal this past week. Outside of Snell, there are not many big-name players on this roster, but they have a terrific manager in Kevin Cash, and he certainly proved in 2018 that he can push the right buttons and win games in a very tough AL East.

Best case scenario

The AL East features two of the best teams in all of baseball, but that did not stop the Rays from being a formidable opponent all season long in 2018. They will continue to give teams fits this upcoming season, and if they can string together a couple more wins, they would sneak into the postseason as a Wild Card team.

Worst case scenario

Basically what happened last year, as the Rays played well above their talent level, and still managed to miss out on the playoffs. Going 90-72 shocked the entire baseball landscape, but this team is not going to sneak up on anybody this season, and if their relievers cannot get it done as openers, it could be a long season in Tampa Bay.

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