A baseball series is more than three games sitting next to each other on the schedule.
Matchups matter.
Rotation order matters.
Bullpen availability matters.
Ballparks matter.
And sometimes the biggest factor entering a series is something that happened the night before.
That’s the idea behind Series Outlook.
Before important Rays series, we’ll break down the matchup and identify the things worth watching before the first pitch is thrown.
Where Things Stand
Every Series Outlook begins with context.
Where are the Rays in the standings?
How have they been playing?
What happened during the previous series?
Is Tampa Bay chasing somebody, protecting a position or simply trying to survive a difficult stretch of the schedule?
A June series and a September series might feature the same teams but have completely different stakes.
We’ll explain them.
The Pitching Matchups
Probable starters provide the framework for most series.
We’ll examine the expected matchups, recent performance, pitcher tendencies and how each opponent might fit against Tampa Bay’s lineup.
But starting pitching is only part of the equation.
Bullpen workload entering the series can completely change how a manager approaches the middle and late innings.
We’ll keep an eye on that too.
Rays to Watch
Every series seems to have a few players positioned to make an outsized impact.
Sometimes it’s an obvious star.
Other times it’s a hitter with a favorable matchup, a reliever likely to be used in a critical spot or a young player beginning to earn a larger role.
We’ll identify them before the series starts.
The Other Dugout
Knowing the Rays isn’t enough.
Series Outlook will introduce the opposing players, trends and matchups most likely to affect Tampa Bay.
Who’s hot?
Who’s struggling?
Where is the opposing roster vulnerable?
What should Rays fans know before Game 1?
The Bigger Picture
Finally, we’ll look beyond the series itself.
What would a strong series mean?
What’s coming next on the schedule?
Could a roster decision be approaching?
Is there a developing storyline worth following?
When the first pitch arrives, you should already know why the series matters and what deserves your attention.
Then it’s time to play baseball.
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