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Baltimore Orioles: Ranking The American League East Lineups

By Ari Ezra

TORONTO, ONTARIO - SEPTEMBER 24: Trey Mancini #16 of the Baltimore Orioles hits an RBI single against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on September 24, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - SEPTEMBER 24: Trey Mancini #16 of the Baltimore Orioles hits an RBI single against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on September 24, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Orioles
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 04: Brandon Lowe #8 of the Tampa Bay Rays singles in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in game one of the American League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 04, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

3) Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are a team that I think will surprise people in 2020.

  1. Brandon Lowe
  2. Ji-Man Choi
  3. Austin Meadows
  4. Jose Martinez
  5. Yandy Diaz
  6. Hunter Renfroe
  7. Kevin Kiermaier
  8. Willy Adames
  9. Mike Zunino

Yes, they were already a playoff team last year. This season, I think they are coming back with even more heat. The additions of Jose Martinez and Hunter Renfroe only bolster a lineup that was pretty solid in 2019. Brandon Lowe was an All-Star before an injury forced him to miss much of the second half of the season.

Another All-Star, Austin Meadows is proving every game that the Pirates messed up by trading him. He had a breakout season last year both in average (.291) and home runs (33). With one of the best pitching staffs in the league, the Rays will have no problem putting up enough runs to win 90+ games again.

Why are the Rays at #3? The Rays had success with the bats last year and they have only improved. Losing Tommy Pham hurts the team, but not as bad as you might think. The additions of Renfroe and Martinez gives the team two skilled options to choose from. With a fast, contact hitting team they will be able to play small ball and take advantage of opponents’ mistakes.

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