For Rays, It Takes Two To Make A Thing Stay Alive

The Tampa Bay Rays took two out of three games against the Texas Rangers, gaining some ground in the wild card chase and keeping their playoff hopes alive as we close in on September.

The Rays went 6-3 in their nine game home stand and maintained a three game deficit in the race for the American League's final playoff spot. Tampa Bay took two out of three in each series but really would have like to have seen more, especially against their chief competitor: the Texas Rangers.

After taking game one 5-3, then winning game two in dramatic fashion with a walk off base hit by Carlos Pena (who was sensational throughout the series), the Rays offense performed its disappearing act in the finale. Rangers starter Scott Feldman scattered four hits and gave up no runs in seven innings and his bullpen would support him, allowing only one hit through the final two.

The Rays got solid starting pitching from each of their three starters against the Rangers, as Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza, and David Price each earned quality starts by working deep into games.

Depending on Boston's results against the Yankees tonight, the Rays will find themselves either three or four games out of a playoff spot as they hit the road for a six game jaunt to Toronto and Detroit before beginning September at home with a crucial series against the current Wild card holder Red Sox.

The Rangers continue their roadtrip against the Yankees and Twins before coming home to face Toronto.

The Red Sox continue their home stand with a four game set against the Chicago White Sox, then wrap it up with a weekend set against Toronto before coming to face the Rays.

The Rays essentially are treading water at this point, just trying to stay in this thing until they can get their one-on-one's with their competition. The series victory against the Rangers was a crucial one, allowing Tampa Bay to get a game closer and keeping the Rangers on a downward trend. Texas has now lost four of their last six.

September won't be easy for Tampa Bay. They face Wild Card leader Boston six times, first place Detroit three times, the top team in the American League - the Yankees - for four meetings - plus five more against winning teams Texas and Seattle. The Rays do get eight games against cellar dweller Baltimore and three against the Blue Jays - a team they "own".

If the Rays stay within striking distance moving into the final week of the season, they finish at home with Baltimore and a three game series against the Yankees. New York likely would have clinched the AL East by the end of the season, meaning the Rays could potentially be facing a lineup without many of the Yankees stars.

With six weeks to go, Tampa Bay needs to make up at least one game a week on their competition to secure the wild card. Can they do it? We shall see.