Rays pose a serious threat in eastern LA

There is usually a legitimate reason to cancel the Tampa Bay Rays.

This season is different.

It's hard to believe, it's been 11 years since Tampa reached the World Series and turned the catastrophe of expansion into a winning franchise.

With the Rays at the heart of a five-year drought in the post-season – after qualifying for the playoffs four times in six seasons from 2008 to 2013 – it's easy to look in front of the weird way that the organization works and feel the magic of the club. s & # 39; exhausted.

Even after a season of 90 wins with 26-year-old Cy Young, the Rays did not start in 2019 with particularly high expectations, supposedly lagging behind the Red Sox and Yankees.

DAY JACKIE ROBINSON: African-American population of MLB remains weak

MLB SALARIES: Who does what this year

The success of the club in recent years has sometimes been a little accidental, but the architects of the 2019 team knew exactly what they were doing.

This team does not have the flaws that may have sunk its predecessors. They are deeply rooted in the team and will be making a real run to the AL East crown this season.

This is how our panel of eight people voted this week:

RANK (last week's move)

1. Houston Astros (+5)

• Potential prospect, Kyle Tucker, started slowly (4 in 33) in AAA class.

2. Rays of Tampa Bay (+2)

• Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows put Chris Archer's business on the fly.

3. The Milwaukee brewers (-1)

• After the breakthrough in 2018, Jesus Aguilar has trouble starting the season.

4. Seattle Mariners (+5)

• Has broken the league record for league play in 15 straight games to start the season.

5. San Diego Padres (+10)

• Fernando Tatis Jr. (5 HR in 16 games) showing that his power is real.

t-6. New York Mets (+2)

• Pete Alonso becomes the first player since 1900 with 11 more successes in the first 10 career games.

t-6. Philadelphia Phillies (-3)

• Bullpen seems even worse than we thought.

8. Los Angeles Dodgers (-7)

• The six-game losing streak erased the team's 8-2 start.

9. Atlanta Braves (+4)

• How did they convince Ozzie Albies to take $ 35 million over seven years?

10. Minnesota Twins (+1)

• Byron Buxton celebrates as in the second half of 2017.

11. Cardinals St. Louis (+5)

• After a hampered injury in 2018, Paul DeJong was set on fire to begin the year.

12. Washington Nationals (+2)

• Anthony Rendon is finally becoming the star of the show.

13. New York Yankees (-8)

• DJ LeMahieu will compete for another title at bat.

14. Oakland Athletics (-2)

• Khris Davis first in the majors to reach 10 races.

15. Cleveland Indians (-8)

• Hoping that Carlos Gonzalez can revive the spray offense.

16. Boston Red Sox (-6)

• The starters had an ERA 8.09 through 15 games.

17. Pirates of Pittsburgh (+2)

• The rotation had a better 1.78 ERA NLR across 13 games.

18. Chicago Cubs (+1)

• Yu Darvish has an ERA of 7.50 and 11 rides in 12 innings over three starts.

19. Tigers of Strait (-1)

• Matt Boyd retired 29 in his first 17 innings.

20. Los Angeles Angels (+2)

• The first three starts of Matt Harvey: 14 IP, 16 ER.

21. San Francisco Giants (+5)

• Bullpen had a better silver average with 1.86 ERA in 16 games.

22. Arizona Diamondbacks (-2)

• Adam Jones thrives in his new home.

23. Cincinnati Reds (+5)

• Sonny Gray (2.03 ERA on three starts) has a better appearance than in years

24. Texas Rangers (-1)

• Rookie coach Chris Woodward makes a good impression.

25. Colorado Rockies (-4)

• Nolan Arenado did not hit his first circuit before Match No. 16.

26. Toronto Blue Jays (-1)

• Freddy Galvis through 16 games: .351, 5 HR, 11 RBI

27. Baltimore Orioles (-)

• Chris Davis finally interrupts his series from 0 to 54.

28. Chicago White Sox (-4)

• Small sample size, but Tim Anderson begins to play his role.

29. Kansas City Royals (+1)

• Alex Gordon is apparently reminded how to hit.

30. Miami Marlins (-2)

• Jorge Alfaro, acquired in the trade JT Realmuto, thrives with a regular playing time.