Keys to victory
Bouncing back: After a blistering start to 2023 – winning their first 13 games and 27 of their first 33 – the Rays ended up losing out in the AL East and were swept as the favorites in the wild-card series by the eventual champion Rangers. Tampa Bay has set a franchise record with five consecutive postseason trips but is 1-7 in the last three playoffs since reaching the 2020 World Series in the COVID season. And the Rays have only scored two runs in their past four postseason games.
Life without an ace:
Shane McLanahan is shelved after Tommy John surgery and Tyler Glasnow was traded to the Dodgers, leaving Tampa Bay’s rotation without a stopper. Still, Zach Eflin had a stellar first season in Tampa, and he has depth behind him, including Ryan Pepiot (Glasnow trade). Pepiot had a a 7.6 K/BB ratio for the Dodgers last season and the Rays hope their pitching lab can develop him into a frontline starter. Taj Bradley, 22, had an up-anddown rookie campaign but will miss the start of 2024 with a pectoral strain. The Rays expect contributions from former top prospect Shane Baz, who missed all of last season after having Tommy John surgery in 2022.
Slugger’s follow-up: Isaac Paredes enjoyed a breakout 2023 by raising his batting average 45 points. Only 25, the third baseman could be a longterm fixture in the middle of the lineup. Paredes’ splits are something to keep an eye on, coming off a year that saw the righthanded hitter slug just four of his 31 homers vs. left-handed pitchers.