2018 was good. Following four straight losing seasons, the Rays put together a 90-72 record in a division that was home to the Yankees and the that season’s World Champions, the Boston Red Sox. The Rays found their own way of competing against the financial juggernauts. 2018 saw the introduction of the controversial opener strategy and young Blake Snell shutting the rest of the league down with a 1.89 ERA, 21 wins, and the AL Cy Young award.
That momentum rolled over into 2019 as the Rays set their sights on loftier goals. They let their intentions be known by signing Charlie Morton to a franchise-record contract for a free-agent pitcher.