Tampa Bay Rays: Most Important Stretches of 2020 Schedule

The Tampa Bay Rays’ schedule for the 2020 season was released last night. We break down all of the important stretches.

The Tampa Bay Rays and the AL East will face off in 10 intradivisional games per team. Then, they will face off against the NL East in interdivisional games.

The total 2019 wins and losses for the Rays NL east opposition is 1,603-1,637. That’s a winning percentage of less than .500.

Here’s the breakdown of their NL East opponents.

1. Atlanta Braves: 4 times (97-65)
2. Washington Nationals: 4 times (93-69)
3. New York Mets: 3 times (86-76)
4. Philadelphia Phillies: 3 times (81-81)
5. Miami Marlins: 7 times (57-105)

Geography clearly helps the Rays out this season as they will play the Marlins more than any other team in the NL East. The Marlins were the only team to finish below .500 last season in that division. Not only that, but they also finished way below .500.

While they have a nice group of young talent, they are in no way ready to compete with the top tier teams in these two divisions.

Adding seven games against the Marlins means the Rays will face teams that finished below .500 last season in 45% of their games this season. The Blue Jays and Orioles both finished well below .500 last season.

Tampa Bay Rays – Important Stretches in 2020 Schedule

The Rays will open the season with a three-game stretch against the Blue Jays at home. Then they welcome the defending NL East champion Atlanta Braves to St. Pete for two games on July 27 and Jul 28, then travel to Atlanta for two more games on July 29 and 30.