The Rays actually were unlucky in some respects last season. Center fielder B.J. Upton lost power while playing with a torn labrum. Left fielder Carl Crawford and third baseman Evan Longoria missed significant time in August and September.

None of the Rays' hitters enjoyed career years; the team ranked only ninth in the AL in runs per game. Crawford, in particular, hit into poor luck, according to the Rays' statistical measures. Upton's postseason showing might have been only a glimpse of what he might accomplish. Burrell, Kapler and Joyce should only help.

Manager Joe Maddon also believes the Rays' defense might be even better than it was last season, when the team orchestrated one of the greatest defensive turnarounds in recent major-league history. Defense is perhaps the Rays' greatest asset, and maybe their biggest advantage over the Yankees.

Earlier this week, Maddon said he envisioned the Rays producing multiple Gold Glove winners. Asked to identify the players he was talking about, he named every regular, omitting only the right-field platoon.

The bullpen, too, should be a strength.

Relievers fluctuate in performance, so the bad news is that the Rays' bullpen was shockingly good last season, ranking second in the AL in opponents' OPS. But Rays GM Friedman, trying to guard against decline, again has assembled a terrific mix — lefties and righties, groundball and strikeout specialists, all capable of pitching in pressure situations.

Maddon does not dispute that bullpens are unreliable, but true to form he's attacking the problem with a novel approach. In addition to keeping relievers fresh physically, Maddon believes he must keep them sharp mentally. Cycling them through the sixth, seventh and eighth innings — a system Maddon executed brilliantly last season — could help in both regards.

Of course, this being baseball, standard warnings apply. The game humbles even its most talented practitioners, and chances are that neither Friedman nor Maddon will look as smart this season. Then again, barring an absurd run of injuries, there is only so far the Rays can fall.

The Yankees and Red Sox always will command more attention, but the Rays are just getting started. Last season was no fluke. This one could be even better.

Philadelphia Phillies News News » Rays make the most sense in the East
Rays make the most sense in the East
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Rays are the safe pick in the American League East. Believe it, even though the Yankees spent $435.5 million in free agency, even though the Red Sox's pitching could be good enough to produce 100 wins. The Rays didn't sign John Smoltz, Brad Penny and Takashi Saito. They sure didn't sign CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira. But their relatively modest additions — designated hitter Pat Burrell, outfielders Gabe Kapler and Matt Joyce, relievers Brian Shouse and Joe Nelson — fit neatly into the club's overall plan. "I see a team deep in pitching, a team with great defense, a team with young, emerging position players, a team that knows how to win," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman says. "On paper, they're better than they were last year. And last year, obviously, they were the best in the league." Remember? The Rays won 97 games and eliminated the White Sox and Red Sox in the American League playoffs, only to lose the World Series to the Phillies in five games. As we all know, predicting the outcome of a baseball season is a fool's endeavor, even for those with the most advanced computer simulations and forecasting systems.