Highs and Lows

The Rockies are mile high and well, the Rays are at sea level. Both of these teams have the ability to succeed in 2013, but they might be repressed by the other teams in their division.

The Mile High Heros

The Rockies have one of the nicest 3-4 combos in baseball. That is Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki. They are two five tool players raking day in and day out, but there are six other players and the pitcher in that lineup.

1. S. Fowler CF      117 OPS+
2. R. Pacheco 3B    91 OPS+
3. L. Gonzalez RF   119 OPS+
4. R. Tulowitzki SS 111 OPS+
5. L. Helton 1B       87 OPS+
6. R. Cuddyer LF    99 OPS+
7. R. Rosario C       107 OPS+
8. S. Herrera 2B      69 OPS+

Pitching in the mile high city is not an easy task. Pitchers have been been plagued with high earned run averages for years. The Rockies have a rotation but is subject to change almost regularly due to repeated failure to succeed.

1. R. Jhoulys Chacin 4.48 ERA
2. R. Drew Pomeranz 4.93 ERA
3. L. Jorge de la Rosa 3.51 ERA in 2011
4. R. Tyler Chatwood  5.43 ERA
5. R. Christian Friedrich 6.17 ERA

In Colorado, games are closed by Rafael Betancort. He is one of the few pitchers who has success with the Rockies. He has posted a sub 3.00 ERA his passed two seasons and in 2012 recorded 31 saves. Rex Brothers is also in the pen. He has had some success in Coloardo, but that is basically all for the Rockies in terms of pitching.

I project 71 wins for the Rockies in 2013

David Price and his dog Astro. Astro has been in many commercials. 

The Tampa Bay Rays have a unique way of winning games. They do it on limited budgets. The only big name in their 2013 lineup is Evan Longoria. BJ Upton is with the Braves and Calros Pena is with the Astros. Longoria will be along side Matt Joyce and Ben Zobrist to produce runs in 2013. You should expect to see super prospect Wil Myers sometime during the season.

1. R. Jennings CF    97 OPS+
2. L. Fuld LF          83 OPS+    
3. R. Longoria 3B  149 OPS+
4. L. Joyce RF        116 OPS+
5. S. Zobrist 2B       138 OPS+
6. L. Scott DH         101 OPS+
7. R. Escobar SS      75 OPS+
8. L. Loney 1B         73 OPS+
9. R. Jimenez C        83 OPS+

The Rays have an excellent pitching rotation, even with the trade of James Sheilds to the Royals. They are led by AL Cy Young Award winner David Price. Also there are high hopes and high expectations for Matt Moore in his second season.

1. L. David Price 2.56 ERA
2. R. Jeremy Hellickson 3.10 ERA
3. L. Matt Moore 3.81 ERA
4. R. Alex Cobb 4.03 ERA
5. R. Roberto Hernandez (Fausto Carmona) 5.25 ERA in 2011

Fernando Rodney didn't get enough Cy Young Award consideration. He pitched 74 innings with a 0.60 ERA. That is a crazy number and he record 48 saves. The Rays definitely have a good closer for the 2013 season. Usually the Rays find a few guys and they end up doing well out of the bullpen every year. It is the same way this year with the exceptions of Kyle Farnsworth and Jake McGee. Farnsworth had success with the Rays in 2011 and spotted a 4.00 ERA in 2012, but McGee sported a 1.95 ERA in 2013 dominating the American League.

I project 84 wins for the Rays in 2013.