To say that this is the most important series in the Rays’ history is an understatement. I happened to watch last night’s game, and the local Rays’ announcers were calling 4th inning foul balls with the excitement of a World Series winning home run. All signs point to the Boston Red Sox (85-59) taking the final game of their series with the Tampa Bay Rays (86-57). The different directions that these two teams are headed in right now will definitely have the majority backing the Sox. But this is baseball, where anything can, and will happen. Anytime you can get a quality team (which the Rays still are) at these odds (+170), it’s worth taking a look.
The regular season certainly could not end soon enough for the Rays. They have seen their American League East lead dwindle within a half game. Last night’s improbable ninth inning comeback victory has them back up by 1 ½. The World Champs have unloaded the man-child that is Manny Ramirez, and are playing great ball right now. They have won 14 of their last 20 games, while the Rays suddenly look lost in losing six of their last eight.
It certainly gets no easier for Tampa Bay tonight, as Boston sends Josh Beckett (12-9 4.20 ERA) to the mound. The Rays will send Andy Sonnanstine (13-7 4.66 ERA) to face him. Sonnanstine isn’t overpowering, but usually reliable enough to keep you in a game. He’s going to have to figure out the Boston batters, many of whom hit him pretty well. Third baseman Mike Lowell especially enjoys facing him, batting .667 in nine at bats.
Home field is also a big factor here. The Rays are 10-46 in their last 56 tries at Fenway. It’s safe to say they have some troubles there. The Red Sox have the second best winning percentage at home of any team this year, just behind the Rays. Tom Brady’s season-ending injury on Sunday, took the collective wind out of Patriot fans’ sails. They will now have all that leftover energy to concentrate on their baseball team even more.
Since unloading head case Manny Ramirez, and acquiring talented outfielder Jason Bay, the Red Sox have won nearly 70% of their games. The Rays, meanwhile, are missing outfielder Carl Crawford and third baseman Evan Longoria, both out with injuries. They have received a lift from the return of second baseman Rocco Baldelli, and Carlos Pena is finally shaking off his rough start to come through with some clutch hits. I would enjoy Pena much more if my wife didn’t start drooling everytime he came on TV, but she’s given me my fair time with Carl Crawford throughout the years, so I guess it’s OK.
Stop seducing my wife Carlos
The Rays just have too much heart and are too well managed by Joe Maddon to let this pennant slip away. Their bullpen (2.96 ERA) is better than Boston’s (3.37 ERA) as evidenced in last night’s comeback victory off their closer, Jonathan Papelbon. If Sonnanstine can minimize the damage from Boston’s big bats, I predict another important win tonight.
I am due for some good fortune. After losing a huge all-in poker hand yesterday where my opponent hit on the river with the one single card in the deck that he needed, and some other miscellaneous contest shaftings that I have been on the wrong end of, I feel good things coming my way. Taking the Rays as a considerable underdog will be a nice start.
The regular season certainly could not end soon enough for the Rays. They have seen their American League East lead dwindle within a half game. Last night’s improbable ninth inning comeback victory has them back up by 1 ½. The World Champs have unloaded the man-child that is Manny Ramirez, and are playing great ball right now. They have won 14 of their last 20 games, while the Rays suddenly look lost in losing six of their last eight.
It certainly gets no easier for Tampa Bay tonight, as Boston sends Josh Beckett (12-9 4.20 ERA) to the mound. The Rays will send Andy Sonnanstine (13-7 4.66 ERA) to face him. Sonnanstine isn’t overpowering, but usually reliable enough to keep you in a game. He’s going to have to figure out the Boston batters, many of whom hit him pretty well. Third baseman Mike Lowell especially enjoys facing him, batting .667 in nine at bats.
Home field is also a big factor here. The Rays are 10-46 in their last 56 tries at Fenway. It’s safe to say they have some troubles there. The Red Sox have the second best winning percentage at home of any team this year, just behind the Rays. Tom Brady’s season-ending injury on Sunday, took the collective wind out of Patriot fans’ sails. They will now have all that leftover energy to concentrate on their baseball team even more.
Fear not…There’s always baseball
Since unloading head case Manny Ramirez, and acquiring talented outfielder Jason Bay, the Red Sox have won nearly 70% of their games. The Rays, meanwhile, are missing outfielder Carl Crawford and third baseman Evan Longoria, both out with injuries. They have received a lift from the return of second baseman Rocco Baldelli, and Carlos Pena is finally shaking off his rough start to come through with some clutch hits. I would enjoy Pena much more if my wife didn’t start drooling everytime he came on TV, but she’s given me my fair time with Carl Crawford throughout the years, so I guess it’s OK.
Stop seducing my wife Carlos
The Rays just have too much heart and are too well managed by Joe Maddon to let this pennant slip away. Their bullpen (2.96 ERA) is better than Boston’s (3.37 ERA) as evidenced in last night’s comeback victory off their closer, Jonathan Papelbon. If Sonnanstine can minimize the damage from Boston’s big bats, I predict another important win tonight.
I am due for some good fortune. After losing a huge all-in poker hand yesterday where my opponent hit on the river with the one single card in the deck that he needed, and some other miscellaneous contest shaftings that I have been on the wrong end of, I feel good things coming my way. Taking the Rays as a considerable underdog will be a nice start.
