posted March 7, 2008 at 15:26 in MLB Free Picks

Was a name change all that the Tampa Bay Rays needed to finally get on the track to respectability? That’s hardly the case, but Tampa Bay may finally be ready to depart the American League East basement for good. All MLB betting fans should take notice that Tampa Bay is on the rise.

Heading into the new season the BetUS oddsmakers have set the Rays’ over/under wins prop at 74.5 wins. Even more surprising than that high number is that the Over is currently favored on the MLB odds at -140. The Under is listed at Even money. If Tampa Bay was to post more than 74.5 wins that would be the highest win total in franchise history. The club’s current record for wins in a season is 70, which they posted back in 2004, the only year the club ever finished higher than fifth in the AL East.

There’s reason for optimism in Tampa Bay because the Rays are full of young talent that has the potential to be ready to make a run in a few years if a few more pieces are added to the puzzle. The Rays finally have a legitimate ace in southpaw Scott Kazmir. The hard-throwing lefty led the AL in strikeouts last season while posting a respectable 13-9 record. The Rays also have a bona fide No. 2 in James Shields, and newly acquired Matt Garza has the stuff to be a solid No. 3. Tampa Bay’s bullpen still needs a lot of work, especially if Troy Percival can’t turn back the clock and be an effective closer.

Where Tampa Bay is really starting to look impressive is in their starting lineup. Everyone already knows that Carl Crawford is the real deal with his combination of power and speed, but he finally has some help. Carlos Pena shocked everyone by hitting 46 home runs last season and if he can maintain anything near that pace he, along with rising star B.J. Upton and (if he stays healthy) Rocco Baldelli, give the Rays some pop in the middle of the order.

Akinori Iwanura was a hit in his first year in Tampa Bay last season, but he’ll move from third to second this year to make way for rookie Evan Longoria. People are talking about Longoria like they were talking about Ryan Braun last year. Even if Longoria does struggle in his first big-league test, the Rays acquired Willy Aybar to provide some insurance at third.

It may not be time to plan the victory parade in Tampa Bay just yet, but fans may be able to leave their paper bags at home this year when they go to Tropicana Field.

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