Rays in the Postseason: What to Expect

The Tampa Bay Rays, one of the best and most unlikely stories in baseball, could be getting even better. For the first time in team history they've clinched a spot in AL playoffs. Just how far can they go?

Is this team built for the playoffs? Do we dare say they can make a push all the way to the World Series?

The truth is, we're not sure. We've never seen them play in October before. But, here are a couple of things we do know and can expect in the postseason:

• They have the postseason type pitching.
• They make the big hits when needed.
• They're battle-tested.
•They have Mohawks.

This team lives and dies on pitching, like most good teams do. They don't have the best-of offense, but they manage to stay in the game because of the outstanding performance from the starters and bullpen.

Although only a couple players in the bullpen have postseason experience, expect these starters to come out hot. It's do or die for them, and if they can replicate what's been seen all season, they could be one of the hardest teams to score on.

When you mix excellent pitching with timely hits, you get wins. This is what this team does best—the comeback, the walk-off. And, they've done it against some of the best pitchers in the league. If they can't take the lead against your starter, they'll eat your reliever alive.

They thrive on pressure situations and most often than not, they can make you pay for it. When offense comes alive, it blooms. Base hits become contagious through the lineup very quickly and if you're not careful, you may be waving your top-of-the-ninth lead goodbye.

Most importantly, they've done all of the above mentioned against some of the best teams in the league. They've swept the Angels, Red Sox, and Cubs. They've been measured and tried time after time this season, and have come out on top. Of course, these are regular season wins and only time will tell how they react to these teams in the postseason.

Not everything is squeaky clean for the Rays, though. If this team has any plans of succeeding in the playoffs it's going to need a closer, and quick. As of right now, Troy Percival is still that man. He has the experience and the stuff to close out a postseason game, no question.

But, there's one little problem—he's old. His arm strength can still produce 91-94 mph fast balls, it's just everything else that's affecting his delivery. He's recently had back and knee problems that he still hasn't fully recovered from. And, knowing Joe Maddon, Percival will stay in as the closer, just expect heart-stopping ninth innings.

So, factoring all this in, how far can the Rays go in the postseason? As of right now, they're two-and-a-half games up on Boston with a magic number of four. If they can ride this momentum into October, then I fully expect them to make the Championship game. From there, it's anyone's guess.

But rest assured, Rays are the team to fear in the postseason. As inexperienced as they may be, they have their eyes on the World Series and nothing has stopped them yet.