Up, Upton, and the Rays: B.J. Should Carry These Rays to Title

The Rays will continue on their path of destiny to beat the Phillies and win the World Series. On paper, the series isn’t as sexy as the Cubs vs. Red Sox, or the Dodgers vs. Red Sox, but, nevertheless, Rays vs. Phillies is an interesting matchups...someone has to win and make history.

For the historic futile Phillies, if they win it would be their second World Series title in franchise history. Established in 1883, this is their sixth trip to the fall classic, with their one win coming in 1980.

The Rays, on the other hand, have a history that dates back all the way to 1998. All of their history came this year, when the Rays had their first winning season, first division title, first playoff game and first World Series appearance.

The Phillies have a better ace in Cole Hamels, but the Rays have the better staff; advantage, Rays. The Phillies have the best bullpen, which they have had going all year, and a closer who has been perfect in converting saves all season.

The Rays could have the best weapon in their bullpen with dominating lefty David Price, who, in Game Seven of the ALCS, came in to get the last four outs against the Sox. Still, the Phillies win the arm race in the bullpen because of their consistency.

The Phillies have more “stars,” with the last two MVP award-winners in Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard. The Rays have future MVP award contenders in B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria.

The Rays have hit 22 playoff home runs to the Phillies' 10, and the Rays can steal bases throughout their lineup. Upton has had a breakout postseason, hitting seven homers after mustering just nine in the regular season.

Since the American League won the All-Star game, the Rays have the home-field advantage. One less game in Philadelphia in front of perhaps the most hostile and championship-deprived fans in all sports, not just baseball.

As a fellow deprived Cubs fan, I want to root for the Philadelphia fans. They have been loyal for years, whereas the Rays fans have shown up when the playoffs came around after leaving Tropicana Field nearly empty during the regular season despite the Rays posting baseball's best home record.

But I do think the Rays will win in six games, losing both games to Cole Hamels, and the World Series MVP will be Upton, who will also break the record for postseason home runs. He only needs two, which will give him nine, passing Carlos Beltran and Barry Bonds' tied record of eight playoff bombs.

Who would have thought at the beginning of the year it would be the Rays and the Phillies in the World Series? Who would have even thought it at the beginning of the postseason?

But the Rays will finish the deal and, unlike the Marlins of '97 and '03, there will not be a fire sale of their players. The Rays look like they could be for real for a long time, win or lose this year.