Rays of Hope: Tampa Bay Defeats the Defending Champs

"Holy mackerel!"

The Cinderella Tampa Bay Rays did not have their carriage turn into a pumpkin for October this year, as they handled the American League defending champion Boston Red Sox 3-1.

Matt Garza pitched an impressive game, allowing only two hits in his little over seven innings of work, enough to net him the ALCS MVP Award. Unlike in Game Five when the bullpen was given the opportunity, they rose to the occasion and took care of business. Manager Joe Maddon made some quick decisions, including removing a clearly rattled Dan Wheeler, who probably still had the visions of Game Five stuck in his head.

The hero of the bullpen has to be David Price. His 1.1 innings of work earned him the save, while coming on with two out and the bases loaded to strike out J.D. Drew on a check swing. Price was called up in the middle of September and has earned his first two big stats, a win and save, in playoff competition. He had neither in the regular season.

Designated hitter Willie Aybar came up as a huge pick up for the Rays. Not only this season but in this game particularly. He scored twice, including a solo shot to left field off of Jon Lester.

Lester and reliever Hideki Okajima pitched very well. Between them they struck out nine Rays batters and did not allow a single walk. Lester allowed three runs over seven solid innings of work but that proved to be enough for Garza and the Rays' bullpen, who held the Red Sox to only one run on three hits while striking out 12 and walking five.

Now it is a short rest until Wednesday, when Game One of the World Series begins between the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies. After the long layoff for the Phillies, who won the NLCS 4-1 over the Dodgers on Oct. 15, it will be interesting to see if a long layoff affects another N.L. team from winning the series, as it appeared to have hurt the smoking Colorado Rockies in the 2007 World Series.

Philly has not seen an NLCS since 1993. Tampa Bay was not even around in 1993. So this is a first for one team and a first in 15 years for another. Both are hungry. Both are good. Both will put on a show. I have listened to ESPN Radio announcers saying how Bud Selig wanted to see a Dodgers-Red Sox Series, or Cubs-White Sox Series. But "Worst to First" isn't a bad headliner either.

Cinderella, shine your shoes girl, because the clock has not yet struck midnight.