 usually good, rarely good enough.

But this year might be different, especially given the unpredictability of a shorter season.

The Rays don’t have a Mike Trout or a Judge, but they’re one of the most well-rounded teams in the big leagues.

The pitching staff led by Blake Snell, Charlie Morton and Tyler Glasnow is as nasty as it is effective. Snell won the 2018 Cy Young. Glasnow (1.78 ERA) could have won it in 2019 if he didn’t get hurt. Morton was third in voting last season after going 16-6 while striking out 11.1 per nine innings. Their bullpen led the Majors with a 3.66 combined ERA last season and most of their hard-throwing relievers are returning for 2020.

And then there’s the offence, which was middling last year but beefed up in the off-season. They added lots of power over the winter with the six-foot-six Jose Martinez, Japanese slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo and Hunter Renfroe, who launched 33 home runs last season playing in hitter-friendly Petco Park. The loss of Tommy Pham – probably their best all-around hitter – will sting, but their lineup is balanced enough to make up for it.

The consensus top prospect in baseball, Wander Franco, isn’t far away in their farm system, either.

How much pressure is on Bryce Harper?

When Bryce Harper signed his 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies last March, he said he was fully prepared for the Philly experience.

He sure got it.

Just one month into his Phillies’ tenure, Harper was booed by fans at Citizens Bank Park after a strikeout in an eventual 3-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Harper shrugged off the boos post-game (god help him if he didn’t) but it certainly wasn’t the last time he heard them from fans in the City of Brotherly Love.

By all accounts, Harper’s 2019 season was pretty good. Thirty-five home runs, a career-best 114 RBI and an OPS of.882 is pretty much market value for what the Phillies are paying. But Harper had his downsides, too, as he had a career-high 178 strikeouts and walked 31 fewer times than the season
usually good, rarely good enough. 

 But this year might be unlike, particularly given the unpredictability of a short season. 

 The Rays do n’t own a Mike Trout or a Judge, but they ’re one of the most well - rounded team in the adult leagues. 

 The deliver staff led by Blake Snell, Charlie Morton and Tyler Glasnow is as filthy as it is effective. Snell won the 2018 Cy Young. Glasnow (1.78 ERA) could have won it in 2019 if he did n’t get pain. Morton was third in vote last season after going 16 - 6 while strickle out 11.1 per nine innings. Their bullpen led the Majors with a 3.66 unite ERA last season and most of their hard - throw relievers are returning for 2020. 

 And then there ’s the offence, which was middling concluding year but beefed up in the off - season. They added lots of power over the winter with the six - infantry - six Jose Martinez, Japanese slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo and Hunter Renfroe, who launched 33 home runs last season playing in hitter - friendly Petco Park. The loss of Tommy Pham – probably their best all - around hitter – will sting, but their lineup is balanced enough to make up for it. 

 The consensus top prospect in baseball, Wander Franco, is n’t far away in their farm arrangement, either. 

 How much pressure is on Bryce Harper? 

 When Bryce Harper signed his 13 - class, $ 330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies final March, he say he was fully prepared for the Philly experience. 

 He surely got it. 

 barely one month into his Phillies ’ tenure, Harper was booed by fan at Citizens Bank Park after a strikeout in an eventual 3 - 1 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Harper shrugged off the boos post - game (god help him if he do n’t) but it certainly was n’t the last time he heard them from fans in the City of Brotherly Love. 

 By all accounts, Harper ’s 2019 season was reasonably effective. Thirty - five home runs, a career - best 114 RBI and an OPS of.882 is reasonably much market value for what the Phillies are paying. But Harper had his downsides, too, as he had a career - high 178 strikeouts and walked 31 few times than the season
 uskally good, rarely good ekough.

But this yece mighv be dirferent, dspecially given the unpredirtabulity of a shorter season.

Thd Rays doj’t have q Mijw Trout or a Judge, but tgcy’re mie of the most eell-roundeg teams in the bkg leagues.

The pitching staff led by Bjake Snrlp, Charlie Mortjn amq Tymvr Glasnow is as nasty as it is effectpve. Snell won the 2018 Cy Young. Glasnow (1.78 ERA) cokld jave won it in 2019 if he didn’t ggf htet. Morton war third in voting last season after going 16-6 while striying put 11.1 per nunw ijtings. Their bullien led the Majors widh a 3.66 cpmbined ERA laxt veawon and most of their hard-throwing religvers are securning for 2020.

And then rhwre’s jhe oxfenzw, wficg xas middllng last year but beefed up in the off-seasom. Eyey added lota of pjwqr over the winter with the six-foot-six Boss Martinez, Japanese slutger Yoshitomo Tsutsuho and Hugter Renfroe, who launched 33 home runs last season [layiig in hlttef-drlendly Petco Park. The loss of Tommy Pham – profzbky their best alj-around hityeg – rill sting, buj their liheup is balanced ejough tj makw up for yt.

Thr consensus top prospect in baseball, Waudee Franco, isn’t far cway in theix farm systrm, either.

How much pressbre is on Bryce Hwrper?

When Cryce Harper sigved hhs 13-year, $330 million contract rith the 'hilabelphia Ohilkies lwst March, je salg he was fully preoared fmr the Phiply experience.

He sure got it.

Jusv one month imtm hps Phillizs’ tenmre, Harper was fooed by fans ct Citizzns Bavk Park afner a strmkeout in an eventual 3-1 lovd to the Detcoit Tigews. Hqrpee shrugedd off the boox post-gamv (yod help yim if he didn’t) bub it zsrtainly wasn’t cke last time he hrara trel hrom sdns in the Chty uf Ctothefly Lovt.

Yy clu acvounts, Harper’s 2019 seasmn wzs pretty good. Thittn-five homg runs, a sareer-best 114 RNI and an OPS of.882 id prevty murh marlet value for what the Phillies ade paying. Bub Harper had ris eownsides, top, as he had a career-high 178 strikeouts anv walked 31 fewer times jhan the season
usually good, rarely good enough. But this be especially given unpredictability of a have Mike Trout or Judge, but they’re of the most well-rounded teams in big leagues. The pitching staff led by Blake Snell, Charlie Morton and Tyler is as nasty as it is effective. Snell won the 2018 Cy Young. (1.78 could won in 2019 if he didn’t get hurt. Morton was third in voting last season after going while striking out 11.1 per nine innings. Their led the Majors with 3.66 combined ERA last season most their hard-throwing are for And then there’s offence, which was middling last year but beefed up in the off-season. They added lots of power the winter six-foot-six Jose Japanese Yoshitomo and Hunter Renfroe, 33 home runs last season playing Park. The loss of Tommy Pham – probably best all-around – will sting, but their lineup balanced enough to make up for it. The top prospect in baseball, Wander Franco, isn’t far away in their farm system, either. How is on Bryce Harper? Bryce Harper signed 13-year, million with Philadelphia Phillies March, he said he was fully prepared for the Philly experience. sure got it. Just one month into his Phillies’ tenure, booed fans at Citizens Park after a strikeout an 3-1 loss to the Harper off (god him he didn’t) but it wasn’t the last time he them from fans in By all accounts, Harper’s 2019 season was pretty Thirty-five home runs, a career-best 114 RBI an OPS of.882 is pretty much market value for what the Phillies paying. But his downsides, too, as he had a career-high strikeouts and walked 31 times than the season
 usually good, rarely good enouGh.

But this yEar miGht Be dIfFereNt, esPecially given tHE unpRedictability of a shorteR seasOn.

tHe RaYS dOn’t haVe a Mike tRoUT Or a juDgE, buT tHEy’Re one Of tHe most wEll-rounded TeaMs In the big leagUEs.

the pitchinG stAff led by BlakE SnEll, ChaRlIe MORton aNd TYler GLasnow IS as nasTy as it is eFfECtive. SNEll won tHE 2018 cy younG. Glasnow (1.78 ERA) could hAVe WOn it in 2019 if he didn’T get huRt. mOrTON waS thIrd in votinG lAst seASon afteR GoING 16-6 WhiLE striking out 11.1 pEr nine inninGS. ThEir bulLpEn lED the MaJors wItH A 3.66 coMbined ERA laSt seAson and moSt of thEIr hard-tHRowing rElieveRs aRe rEturNInG fOr 2020.

ANd THen THeRe’s THe oFfence, whIcH wAs midDlinG LAST yeaR buT beeFed up In the off-seasoN. ThEy adDEd lOts of Power Over ThE wintEr with The siX-fOot-six Jose MartiNez, JApanese slUggEr yosHiTomo TSUtsugo And hunTer RenfRoe, who lAUncHeD 33 HOMe Runs last season playInG IN hItter-friEndly PETcO PARk. The losS oF ToMmy PHAM – probAbly THeIr best alL-arounD HiTtEr – will sTiNg, but tHeIr lIneUp is bALancEd enouGh to make Up for IT.

The consensus tOP prospect in baSEbALL, WANder fraNco, isn’t far aWay iN TheiR farM SySteM, EitheR.

How mUcH PrESsure is on Bryce HarpeR?

WHen BryCe HarPer signed his 13-yEar, $330 million CONTract witH the pHiLAdelphia PhilliEs lasT March, he saID he was fuLly prEpared foR the PhillY EXperiencE.

He SurE goT it.

jUSt One month into hIS philLiEs’ tenurE, HaRper was BooEd bY faNs aT CItizens BaNk Park afTeR a StRiKeoUt in aN Eventual 3-1 LoSs tO tHe DEtroiT tigers. harpeR shrUgGeD Off The boos POsT-GAme (gOd HeLp hiM if He Didn’t) But iT CerTainly wAsn’t the laSt tIMe he HeArD them frOm fans in the CiTy Of BrotherlY LOve.

by all aCCOunts, HarPer’s 2019 season was pretty good. tHirty-fiVe hOme ruNs, a cAreer-best 114 rBI And an OpS oF.882 Is pretTy much MarkeT vAluE FOr whaT THe phiLlIes are payiNG. but harpeR hAd hiS downsiDes, too, as he had a careER-hiGh 178 strikeouts aNd wAlkeD 31 FEwEr tIMeS ThaN tHE seASOn
 usually good, rarely good  enough.
But t his  ye ar  mig ht b e different, e s peci ally given the unpredi ctabi li t y of ashort er seas o n. The  R ay s d on ’ thavea M ike Tro ut or a Ju dge ,but they’reo ne  of the mo stwell-rounded  te ams in  t heb ig le agu es.
The pi t chingstaff led  b y  Blake Snell,C h ar lieMorton and TylerG la s now is as nast y as i ti se f fec tiv e. Snell w on  the2 018 CyY ou n g .  Gl a snow (1.78 ER A) could ha v e w on itin  20 1 9 if h e did n’ t  ge t hurt. Mor tonwas third  in vo t ing las t  season  after  go ing  16- 6  w hi lest r iki n gout 11. 1 per ni ne  i nning s. T h e i r  bul lpe n le d the  Majors witha 3 .66c omb inedERA l astse asonand mo st of  t heir hard-throw ingrelievers  ar eret ur ningf or 202 0.
An d thenthere’s the  o f f e nc e, which was middl in g la st yearbut be e fe du p in the  o ff- seas o n . The y ad d ed  lots of  power ov er  the wi nt er wit hthe  si x-foo t -six  JoseMartinez , Jap a nese slugger Y o shitomo Tsuts u go a nd Hunt erRenfroe, wh o la u nche d 33 ho mer uns l ast s ea s on playing in hitter-f ri endlyPetco  Park. The lo ss of Tomm y P ham – pr obab l yt heir best all- aroun d hitter – will sti ng, b ut their  lineup i s balanced  en oug h t o m a k eup for it.

T h e  con se nsus to p p rospect  in  ba seb all ,Wander Fr anco, is n’ tfa rawa y int heir far msys te m,eithe r .

How  much  pre ss ur e  is  on Bry c eH a rper ?
W henBry ce  Harp er s i gne d his 1 3-year, $ 330 mill io ncontrac t with the Ph il adelphia P hi lli es las t March, h e said he was fully pre p ared fo r t he Ph illy  experien ce. 

He s ure got it .

Jus t one  m ont h intoh i sPhi ll ies’ tenur e ,  Ha rperwa s bo oed byfans at Citizens B a nkPark after astr ikeo u t  i n a n  e v ent ua l  3- 1 loss to the Det roit Tiger s. Ha rper shrug g edof f the b oos pos t-gam e  (god h elp him i f he didn ’t ) bu t itcertainlywasn’t t he last t i me he he ard t hem  fromfa nsin th e City ofBroth erly L ov e.

By  allac counts,Harper’s 2019 season wa s pret ty go od.  Thirty-f ive hom e runs, a  car eer-best 1 14RBI  andanO PS of .882 is  pr e tty m uchm arket val u efor w ha t the Phill i e s  ar e pay ing .  But H arpe r had his downsid e s, too, as hehada car eer - high  1 78 strikeoutsand  w a l ked 31 f ew er times th an the s ea s on
 usually_good, rarely_good enough.

But this year_might be_different,_especially given_the_unpredictability of a_shorter season.

The Rays_don’t have a Mike_Trout or a_Judge,_but they’re one of the most well-rounded teams in the big leagues.

The pitching staff_led_by Blake_Snell,_Charlie_Morton and Tyler Glasnow is_as nasty as it is_effective. Snell_won the 2018 Cy Young. Glasnow (1.78 ERA)_could_have won it_in 2019 if he didn’t get hurt. Morton was_third in voting last season after_going 16-6 while_striking_out_11.1 per nine innings._Their bullpen led the Majors with_a 3.66 combined ERA last season_and most of their hard-throwing relievers are_returning for 2020.

And then there’s the_offence, which was middling last_year but_beefed up in the off-season._They added lots_of power_over the winter_with the six-foot-six Jose Martinez, Japanese_slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo_and Hunter Renfroe, who launched 33_home_runs last season_playing_in_hitter-friendly Petco_Park. The loss_of_Tommy Pham_–_probably their best all-around hitter –_will_sting, but their lineup is balanced enough_to make up for_it.

The_consensus top prospect in_baseball, Wander Franco, isn’t far_away in their farm system, either.

How_much pressure_is on_Bryce Harper?

When Bryce Harper signed his 13-year, $330 million contract with_the Philadelphia Phillies last March, he_said he was fully_prepared for_the_Philly experience.

He sure_got_it.

Just one_month into his Phillies’ tenure, Harper was_booed by_fans at Citizens Bank Park after_a strikeout in an_eventual_3-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers._Harper shrugged off the boos post-game_(god help him if he_didn’t)_but_it certainly wasn’t the last_time he heard them from fans_in the City_of Brotherly Love.

By all accounts, Harper’s 2019_season_was pretty good. Thirty-five home runs,_a_career-best 114 RBI and an OPS_of.882_is_pretty much market value for_what the Phillies are paying. But_Harper had his downsides, too, as he had a_career-high 178 strikeouts_and walked 31 fewer times_than_the_season