Why the Rays shouldn’t Bank on the ‘Opener’ in 2019

Image Source: https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PwDjCBB10-YGWgFni9Aevjy9b5A=/0x0:2352x1603/1200x800/filters:focal(1042x436:1418x812)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59159301/usa_today_10277745.0.jpg

By: Harold Klapper

Last year, the Tampa Bay Rays implemented the strategy of using openers to satisfy their pitching needs. This plan devised by manager Kevin Cash worked well and almost led them to a wild card spot. Although it worked last year, the opener strategy isn’t something the Rays should bank on in 2019. It might lead them to a wild card spot but definitely won’t get them far in the playoffs.

The pitching strategy utilized last year by the Rays is known as the opener. This consists of starting the game off with a reliever that goes a couple of innings instead of the classic starter who goes for more than half the game. Throughout the whole game, the Rays will shift through their bullpen and change pitchers almost every other inning. This worked last year but the Rays shouldn’t count on it as they only have two established starters. This means that the bullpen is made up of an abundance of mediocre relievers. Mid-tier relievers work well against average teams but come playoffs, other teams will have little to no trouble scoring on them. If the Rays want to make any type of playoff run they need more than two established starters and a truly elite bullpen, of the likes of the Yankees and Astros.

Not only will the opener not work in the playoffs, but it’s destined to fail in the regular season if any of the relievers get injured. A couple of injuries can completely disband the strategy because it will leave a limited amount of decent options in the bullpen. This means the Rays would have to resort to unproven players in their farm system, which is something no competing teams want to do. Even if only two of the relievers got injured it would throw the whole system off and probably cost the Rays the season. Missing just a few relievers means that the ones they have will have to pitch more innings, contributing to fatigue. Fatigue in the MLB leads to bad records and early playoff exits. If the Rays plan to do well in the playoffs with their bullpen, they’ll need a lot of luck with injuries and improvements from most of their relievers.