2006 Tampa Bay Rays Predictions & Season Preview
June 5, 2008
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are appropriately named as they swim around the bottom of their division year after year averaging just 65 victories a season over the past 7 years. Because of their terrible record, many bettors consistently go against them. I would advise against that practice however, as the Devil Rays were 81-80 at home the past 2 seasons for a positive 15 units. Their pathetic road play overshadows the fact that they’ve managed a winning record at home over the past 2 seasons so bettors continue to go against them even when they are back in Florida. If we do our homework and pick our spots, there should be good value in betting the 2006 Tampa Bay Devil Rays predictions to win at home, especially against non division opponents.
Most uninformed baseball fans would probably pick Tampa Bay to finish at the bottom of every division in baseball. I’m not going to have to go out on a limb to say that wouldn’t be the case. Over the past 2 seasons, Tampa Bay is 47-40 at home against ball clubs outside the elite AL East. More than anything they don’t have the pitching staff to contend with the big bats in the Northeast, and with Toronto bringing in extra power in Glaus and Overbay, it figures to push Tampa Bay back even more. The Rays do have the prospects of being an exciting team with the capabilities of putting lots of runs on the board. They will take chances on the base paths because they have to win games. Bad teams are inconsistent, so it will be important to pick your spots on the 2006 Devil Rays, but don’t get caught up in always going against them. We will have some great opportunities to cash in on them as underdogs this season.
The pitching staff isn’t completely dead. The D-rays have a gem in the making with Scott Kazmir. This guy has a great fastball and the ability to blaze through opposing lineups. He is still young and inconsistent, but there will be times during the season where you will see just how good this kid can be. Overall the pitching staff was the 2nd worst in the American League last year and had the most blown saves in the majors with 26. The bullpen was further weakened when the team lost closer Danny Baez to the Dodgers, so don’ t expect this team to hold onto to many late leads. You might consider playing some totals on the D-rays especially against teams like Boston and the New York Yankees as Tampa has been able to put up good numbers against these teams but they almost always come back on them before the whole thing is said and done. I think overs could be a good play.
Another reason to consider playing overs on the Devils on occasion is that not unlike any other team in their division, they will be able to put some runs on the board in a hurry if they get hot. They are loaded with young guns like Jorge Cantu, Aubrey Huff, and Jonny Gomes providing the threat of the long ball and Julio Lugo and Carl Crawford setting the table with their consistent play at the top of the lineup. The team will also get Rocco Baldelli back from injury.
Their division will keep the Tampa Bay Devil Rays down, but don’t mistake this team as a team that is as bad as the Seattle Mariners or the Kansas City Royals.