MLB SHOWDOWN 2019 SET -- Tampa Bay Rays

Today brings the Tampa Bay Rays, the team I was pulling for in the playoffs to somehow magically win the American League. A record of 96-66 getting the second wild card spot, eliminating the Athletics in the wild card game, and taking the Astros to a game 5 in the ALDS. The showdown version of this team looks like it would be tons of fun to manage and strategize with as it isn't your typical team.

Lineup: They get the game started with Austin Meadows and his beautiful card and chart. Tommy Pham hitting second gives a 9 OB which isn't as good as his 2018 chart but still a solid chart. Third is my favorite card personally because of how Choi looks so fun in his celebration. Yandy Diaz in the clean up spot and Brandon Lowe following him give the offense a solid 1-5 start. The rest of the lineup is lack luster but each provide something solid to the table despite their weaknesses.

Bench: The bench also brings a few positives, a big fall off in cards from year to year is Jesus Aguilar from 2018 to 2019. The amount of outfield depth on the corners is shown with Avisail Garcia starting on the bench. Although he could slot in the outfield with Pham moving to DH and Sogard off the bench to help boost the lineup in games where you need some runs.

Rotation:This Rays rotation is pretty good, it could be better but their weak spots are still solid starters. Charlie Morton is this season ACE with Yonniy Chirinos right behind him. Blake Snell and Trevor Richards also provide good third and fourth starters to this team. Finally a special bonus of Tyler Glasnow who is the only starter to technically be a tier 1 starter but due to hi limited innings this season has been knocked down to a 4 IP starter. In a season long league with this team he is surely the ace and the bullpen will be there to have his back. 

Bullpen: A bullpen that was used often with bullpen games instead of a starter brings a ton of arms to the table. 8 relievers, making this probably the deepest team in the set, and two relievers that pitch 3 innings or more. As I said this team would be fun to manage with all these arms at your expense in case a starter is having a rough outing. 

Coming in with 24 players the Tampa Bay Rays total out at 6840 points with an average of 285 points per player. With this team I don't know how you can utilize all the pitching depth that they have. Moving another starter to the bullpen crowds it even more, but as a manager you have to love the options you can attack other teams with. How would you manage this team and its loaded pitching?