Tampa Bay Rays note

I made a couple of predictions related to the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays this year. 

One was a specific prediction:  Jeremy Hellickson would win more games than the pitcher he replaced in the rotation, Matt Garza.  Garza had a decent season for the Chicago Cubs.  But Hellickson pitched very well all season to finish with 13 wins to Garza's nine.  W00t.  Nothing against Garza.  I just thought Hellickson's superior composure would give him the edge over Garza in earning positive decisions.  Both are good pitchers and I wish Garza well with the Cubs.

The second prediction was hazy, to borrow a term from the Magic 8-Ball.  I thought the Rays could finish anywhere from first to last, and that was a revised assessment after the Rays righted themselves after a dismal start.  At the start of the season I didn't think the Rays could win the division since I felt every team had improved except for the Rays.

But here we are.  With one game left in the regular season, the Rays stand tied with the Bo$ton Red $ox for the American League wild card playoff spot.

The credit goes to the pitching staff and the stellar defense, because the offense has struggled to score runs all season.

A few quick notes on the rest of the division:

Baltimore Orioles
I thought the Orioles would play much better this year.  But while the Orioles vastly improved on last year's season series performance against the Rays, Baltimore's young pitching staff just hasn't blossomed as did the Rays' over the past few years.  If the pitching comes along then watch out for Baltimore.  On the other hand, perhaps Baltimore's failure with its young pitchers serves as a tribute to Tampa Bay's organization.

Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto also starts a stable of young pitchers, and a number of them turned in solid seasons while the Jays' batting order hit dingers at a dizzying clip.  The Jays will finish near .500 in the tough AL East.

Boston Red Sox
Boston was the best team in the majors during the middle third of the season.  But the team couldn't play worth beans at the start and end of the regular season.  I accept no excuses.  Buying veteran players earns the risk of injury, and Boston had its share of those.  But the lineup was still better than it played near the start and finish of the regular season.  The Rays had no realistic shot at the playoffs without Boston's collapse.

New York Yankees
New Yorks batting lineup made its starting pitching stand up, with a good bit of help from a solid bullpen.  And the Yankees improved their play against the Rays this season.  Curtis Granderson had an insane season at the plate.  They earned the AL East title even if they paid a high price for it.