Five Reasons Why the Tampa Bay Rays Will Not Win the AL East

With a 5-4 victory last night over the Red Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays are now 1 1/2 games ahead of the Sox in the AL East standings. Although they have played well against top competition, I still don't believe they will win the division.  Here are five reasons why:

1. Boston Red Sox

I know they lost to the Rays last night, but they are still 6-4 against them on the season. The Red Sox obviously have so much more experience and I think a three-game set this September in Boston will show that. The Red Sox organization just needs to make sure Manny Ramirez gets as many tickets as he wants for the playoffs.

2. C.C. Sabathia

He is not only on fire lately, he's also on the trading block. The Rays have the prospects to get him (David Price), but they won't pull the trigger. Another contender will make the deal and head to the playoffs.  Another reason the Rays won't make the deal is because of the money he will command as a free agent.

3. James Shields

I am a big fan of Shields, but I don't think he's ready to lead this team to the playoffs. He is still very young, plus he's only 6-5 on the season. Shields has also showed some signs of immaturity when he decided to fight CoCo Crisp last month, he fanned with the right hook but held up better than the Red Sox traveling secretary.

4. New York Yankees

The Yankees find themselves 6.5 games back in the AL East and I don't think they will win the division. However, they will definitely have a major role on the outcome because they play two series against the Rays in September. The Rays need to hope that Jason Giambi gets rid of his mustache.

5. Experience

If they don't trade Price away at the deadline, the Rays could look to their  top prospect to contribute down the stretch and I don't think he will be able to deliver. The Rays don't really have much experience playing in contention down the stretch, plus they rely on so many young players already (Longoria, Upton, Navarro).

Whatever ends up happening in the AL East, it will be an interesting race down the stretch between the Rays and whoever else decides to join the party.