Rays on a Roll: Tampa Bay Rays Finally Hitting Hot Streak

Yes, the Rays are seven-and-a-half games behind Boston for the AL wild-card spot. But you wouldn't have been able to tell with the way the Rays were acting Sunday afternoon.

Johnny Damon, the veteran Mr. Clutch in the past, once again came through when his team needed him most, pulling off a walk-off homer to set off the postgame celebration.

So you could see why the Rays weren't sweating the fact that they're still in a hole as far as the standings go.

Winning 10 of your past dozen will bring a team utmost confidence.

Players celebrated, Joe Maddon wore a Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet in his press conference, and Rays showed exactly why they aren't out of playoff contention quite yet: Because they are cool, calm and collected.

There's no hiding the truth that the Rays are still as far back as they are. Can they really make up all that ground against Boston, especially in such a short span of time?

Seeing as they play the Red Sox seven more times, there still is a chance for Tampa Bay.

Besides two series matchups with Baltimore, the Rays will have no other games against sub-.500 teams the rest of the season.

Boston's road will be just as tough, but they have the upper-hand.

The Rays will play Blue Jays and Rangers both twice (series), and a tough set with the red-hot Tigers starting tonight.

While the New York Yankees could still be the team the Rays attempt to battle for the wild-card, their best shot will be against Boston, as they have seven games left against Beantown and only one series left with the Bronx.

One thing is for sure: the Rays will make Boston earn the last spot.

Tampa Bay has been waiting all year for this hot streak to come along, and it finally has. But is it too late?

Pitching has carried the Rays all season, but there are signs that, finally, the offense is stepping up to the occasion, as they did yesterday.

Speaking of the pitching staff, there is bound to be an unstoppable-force-meets-immovable-object-moment, when Jeff Niemann (7-0 in his last 10 starts) faces off against Justin Verlander (18 wins, Cy Young lead candidate).

Something will have to give.

In the Rays position, they can't afford to give much at all. It's going to be a tough road down the home stretch. The Rays don't intend to be home when the stretch ends.

But will it be too late? We'll know soon enough.