
Tampa Bay Rays matching up with Braves
The Atlanta Braves are similar to the Tampa Bay Rays in that they have a loaded offense with multi-positional players all over the roster, with a lot of pitching depth. The Braves signed veteran Cole Hamels this offseason to add to blossoming stars Mike Soroka and Max Fried at the top of the rotation.
The Braves also boast a lot of depth in the bullpen with five players who were closers last season, including Mark Melancon, Luke Jackson, Chris Martin, Shane Greene, and newly signed Will Smith. While they may not have the MLB’s best returning bullpen like the Rays, their offense has more powerful weapons than the Rays were able to piece together last season.
Tampa Bay Rays – August 4-13
They will follow up the extended four-game set against the Braves with three games in Baltimore and then two more against the Red Sox. The stretch between August 4-August 13 consists of six games against the Red Sox and four games against the Yankees.
The Rays and the Yankees are expected to be the top contenders in the AL East again this season, it will be imperative for the team to win the games they are expected to win and to take more than they lose against the Yankees.
It will be interesting to see how the pitching rotations are coming along, how deep starters can go into games, and who will be available to make an impact out of the bullpen when the Rays and Yankees face off for that four-game set in New York in early August.