– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 4:47 pm
Rays 2017 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2017 Tampa Bay Rays predictions? After finishing in last place in the AL East last year, the Tampa Bay Rays look to rebound and make the playoffs for the first time since 2013. The one big thing the Rays need to figure out is if they are going to stick with what they have, or keep dealing some of their star players.
MLB Angels Predictions & Handicapping Insight
The Rays strength is in their pitching staff, if Chris Archer can rebound this year. They have some highly touted young guys at the end of their rotation, which if they play well, might be able to take the Rays to the promised land.
This Rays lineup needs to start learning to manufacture runs. They can’t count on the long ball to get them so many of their runs this year.
2017 MLB Team Previews – Tampa Bay Rays
- American League East +1800
- American League +4000
- World Series +7500
Key Additions:
- Wilson Ramos
- Colby Rasmus
- Jose De Leon
The Tampa Bay Rays didn’t make any off season moves that are going to win them the world series, but they are additions that will make this team better.
It gave them a couple guys who can start all season, or if they don’t start will really give the bench more depth.
Check out the free sports picks from Cappers Picks experts today!
They also made a couple trades that give them more depth in their starting rotation and in their bullpen.
Key Losses:
- 2B Logan Forsythe
- SP Drew Smyly
Logan Forsythe is the biggest loss that the Rays are going to have to deal with. He was a solid bat and a solid glove and one person won’t be able to make up for his contributions.
Rays Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- OF Kevin Kiermaier
- 2B Brad Miller
- 3B Evan Longoria
- DH Corey Dickerson
- SS Matthew Duffy
- OF Colby Rasmus
- OF Steven Souza
- 1B Logan Morrison
- C Curtis Casali
For this Rays team to make noise this team needs to get their runs in other ways other than just the long ball.
Check out the free sports picks for today from Cappers Picks!
In 2016 they had 216 home runs which was sixth best in the MLB.
Even with all those home runs they finished 24th in runs scored and had the third most strike outs in the Majors. They need to really score runs by doing the little things, or when the long ball dries up, they will lose games.
Rays Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- Chris Archer
- Jake Odorizzi
- Alex Cobb
- Matt Andriese
- Blake Snell
When you look at the Rays rotation the one name that should stick out is Chris Archer. The ace of the staff will try and rebound from a very disappointing 2016 season in which he went 9-19 and had a 4.02 ERA.
For the Rays to have any shot to make the playoffs he needs to have a Cy Young like year. There isn’t many other big names in this rotation so he really needs to be the anchor every fifth day.
Rays Predictions: Projected Closer:
- RH Alex Colome
Right handed pitcher Alex Colome seems to have the closer role locked up after having a really successful 2016 campaign in that role.
He finished the 2016 season with 37 saves with was fourth best in the American League. He pitched 56.2 innings and had a 1.91 Era.
2017 Tampa Bay Rays Prediction:
The expectations for this Rays season is pretty low, with no one really predicting them to make much noise in the American League.
I think they will once again finish in last place in a very tough American League East. I expect by the trade deadline their season will be another lost season, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them trade another one or two of their stars.
[dfads params=’groups=213&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
The over/under for the Rays is 78.5 and I think they will finish under that. They finished the 2016 season with 68 wins, and didn’t really improve their team much from that.
I expect Chris Archer to get a few more wins which will raise their win total to around 73 wins.
What do you think of our 2017 Tampa Bay Rays predictions? Comments are welcome below.
We’ll be providing 4* free MLB plays on the blog all season long, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free MLB Baseball picks!
Check out our Updated MLB Betting Odds.