Just When You Thought The Rays Were Done

The Rays had just lost two of three to the Yankees, they were 7.5 games out of first and five games out of the Wild Card. Buster Olney of ESPN said that the Rays were now sellers in the market because they would have to make an improbable climb. He even talked about the Rays possibly trading Carl Crawford to save money. 

The Rays aren't irrational, Buster, sorry. 

What a difference a week makes. The Rays got a little booster shot at the end of last week (playing the Royals) and then took two of two against the Red Sox at home, where the Rays are 13-2 against the Red Sox in the last two years at the Trop. 

Now the Yankees and Red Sox play each other in a four game series and The Rays could realistically end up only three games out of a playoff spot, if they take care of business against the Mariners (I expect two out of three, a loss to either Rowland-Smith or Felix Hernandez).

However if the Red Sox win three of four then the Rays would only be three games out of first place and the wild card. If the Yankees win three of four the Rays could be leading the wild card. 

This looks a lot like last year, except the Rays aren't leading the East or the Wild Card. But in terms of winning series everyone expected them to lose, and just when everyone thought the Rays would turn into the Devil Rays, they never did.

This team is a year older, hungry, healthy, young, athletic, and moving in the right direction. Joe Maddon switched the lineups around as Jason Bartlett is leading off instead of BJ Upton and now Upton is batting somewhere between seventh and ninth. 

This move has helped spark a slumping offense. David Price is lights out at home with a 4-1 record and a 2.67 ERA. Scott Kazmir has looked excellent in his last two starts, facing some true aces (CC Sabathia and Zack Greinke) and will face Rowland-Smith on Sunday who has no-hit stuff. 

Everything seems to be falling into place for the Rays who finished with a 6-3 home stand and will now look to keep up the strong play on the road where they have been playing better and better. They will need to get as many wins against the Mariners as possible before they head to LA to play the Angels to wrap up the six game road stretch before heading home for nine more.

Watch out Sox and Yanks, you are in for another dog-fight.