Finally, the rays got a win.  Now it is going to be interesting.  It’s a whole new series.  Best of five.  We can only count on this series to be interesting.  So far none of the other series in the post season have been interesting or compelling.  With the losing four teams in the first round combing for a whopping three wins total.  That doesn’t bring in the big numbers that the networks want.  After a futile game one loss to Boston by the score of 0-2, the bats lit it up last night in St.Pete, combining for seven home runs between the two teams.  It was a tie for the most home runs in a post season game.  It went to the 11th inning before the rays finally put it away.  Final score 9-8.  Tomorrow is game three in Boston and both teams look to take an advantage in the series.  The Dodgers on the other hand have their work cut out for them.  Tonights game is a must win for the Dodgers.  It’s not easy digging yourself out of a two games to none deficit and we’ll see if Manny and company can get it done in LA.

They did it.  The Rays won in game four.  I had my doubts if they could pull it off or not, but in the end they won their first playoff series against the Chicago White Sox in their very first appearance in the post-season.  They beat the Sox 6-2 in Chicago after being beat 5-3 yesterday evening.  It was pitching and timely hitting that did it for the Rays.  Just like they’d been doing all year long.  They play team ball and that’s why they are so good.  They move the base runners over and they earn the runs that they put together.  And yes, they could beat you with the long ball too.  They have some very good young hitters and most of them can hit with power.  Tonight it was B.J. Uptons turn to hit two home runs.  Andy Sorensen had a good outing as well, giving up just one run in 5 1/3 innings.  It was great.  Tampa fans need to enjoy it now, because it won’t be long before these kids are going to want to get paid on the open market.  I have no fear of the Red Sox or Angels.  I think the Rays can beat either one of them.  Right now, it’s anybody’s game to win.  It could be a World Series appearance for the Rays.

Maybe I won’t have my heart broken by the Rays this year after all.  They were on the verge of losing the series in Boston, three outs away, when they made the comeback that might just define this miracle season.  I know that manager, Joe Maddon, said before the season started that his team could win eighty games, but really, with the Rays history, did anyone buy it?  I know I didn’t, and I’m a fan.  Anyway, they made a comeback two nights ago, winning the game in the last inning, when they really had no business doing it.  But, they hung in there and when it really mattered, the hit came.  From a just called up player from the minors.  He’d only been on the team for a few hours before hitting the game winner.  Dan Johnson even had to buy some clothes at the airport because it was such a sudden call.  I’m sure it won’t be long before they have some sort of Dan Johnson promotional pens giveaway night at the Trop.  Then, last night, they did it again.  having to go into extra innings to put the game away.  Carlos Pena is a clutch player and the rays are lucky to have him.  As long as the Rays stay close in a game, they have a chance of beating anybody.  I don’t car if it’s the Yankees or the world champion Red Sox.  They’re not afraid of anybody and they’re not afraid to play anywhere.  With the confidence that wins like this bring, I think that it will go a long way in closing out the regular season on a high note and send the rays to the post-season as division champs.

My worst fears as a Tampa Bay Rays fan seems to be coming true.  Is it too soon to think that the wheels are starting to come off the greatest season of it’s short history?  Maybe I’m over reacting, I am just getting a little worried is all.  I know that it’s only been a two game losing streak, but every time they lose a game and the hated Red Sox win one, I get a little more uneasy.  I keep thinking about the choke job that the Angels had back in ‘86.  I just want them to go to the post-season, is that too much to ask?  Alright, enough of the doom and gloom.  Let’s look at the positives that we still have going for us.  We’re still three games ahead of the Red Sox.  And we can maintain that lead with a win over the Yanks tonight.  I know I keep referring to the team as us, even though I have nothing to do with the success or failure of the team.  That is unless I take off my lucky sock, as long as I keep them on during this home stand, I can will the team back on track.  Even if the Sox catch up, the Rays are still up seven games in the wild-card race.  We still have 25 games to play, anything can happen, I guess I’ll just have to let them play the games and just hope for the best.  I’ll just go ahead and keep wearing these socks, just in case.

The Tampa Bay Rays are the surprise team of the season.  I wonder if the name change(formally Devil Rays) had anything to do with it.  Or possibly it was the emergence of a young pitching staff with the second best ERA 3.71 in the majors.  It could also be the hot bats of the young up and coming superstars like B.J Upton and Evan Longoria.  Or maybe the timely hitting with players on base.  Not to mention the new found swagger and confidence that comes with winning.  They are currently leading their division with a record of 79-50, second best in the entire league, just the Cubs have a better record.  They also boast the second best home record of 47-18, again, just behind the Cubs.  After more than a decade of losing, it just might be the Rays year.  And if your anything like me, you like to see new, fresh talent succeed against the super powers of the game like Boston and New York which the Rays have always had the misfortune of playing behind since their inception.  Oh, how the mighty fall and I would love to see a Tampa Bay-Chicago world series.  Unfortunately, for the Cubs, I’d have to pull for the Rays.