The Tampa Bay Rays: Baseballs Big Surprise

A question being asked by most baseball fans is will the Tampa Rays be able to hold off the Red Sox and Yankees to win the AL East. My answer to the question is no and here's why:

1) Lack of Experience

The have no postseason experience besides Eric Hinskie. The team is filled with tremendous young talent like Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford, and Carlos Pena. The Red Sox and Yankees have been in tight playoff races before and have been in the playoffs and World Series. In a couple of years they will be on top of the entire league.

A) Lack of Experience in their Rotation

None of their pitchers have ever pitched in a pennant race and I believe they will be rattled in a sold out Fenway or Yankee Stadium at the end of August or in early September.

2) They are Unproven on the Road

Almost two thirds of the Tampa Rays games have been at home. This means that they will have to play in Fenway and Yankee Stadium near the end of the season. Both the Red Sox and Yankees win most of the games they play at home. This means that they will have to win in a sold out Fenway and Yankee Stadium. That will not be an easy task.

3) Manny Ramirez is out of Boston

Manny being Manny was no longer cute in Boston. His distractions were definitely affecting their play on the field, although they may not admit it. Jason Bay adds another bat to their line up. And literally two seconds ago Bay hit a three run home run over the green monster.

My prediction is that the Red Sox will over take the Rays for first place and the Rays will win the AL Wild Card. Yes, I believe even with the lack of experience the rays are better. If the Rays face the Angels or Red Sox in the round I believe that is when they will exit. If they are lucky enough to play the White Sox or Twins I think they have enough to beat them in a 5 game series.