2011 MLB Playoffs: Tampa Bay's 7 Games out of Wild Card with a Ray of Hope

The Yankees and the Red Sox were both cruising toward a division title and at least a wild card berth, but has the injury of Josh Beckett ended that certainty?  Beckett has been the Sox best pitcher all year and his loss could give the Rays a chance for the wild card.

Tampa Bay is currently seven games behind Boston for the wild card and could be in striking distance as a result of the seven games still remaining between the Rays and the Red Sox.  That alone makes it an interesting scenario.

Let's not slight the Red Sox, they are one of the best teams in baseball.  An injury to Josh Beckett does make them weaker, but doesn't cripple them.  Not to mention, the team currently atop the AL East has had the same issues during the season.  The Rays will have to get hot and make it happen.

With 21 games left, the Rays have two more games with Texas, seven with Boston, three with Baltimore, six with the Yankees and three with Toronto.  The Rays are a combined 32-27 against the teams they have left to play. 

Beckett's absence alone could help the Rays gain two games, that is if nobody steps up in his place.  This comeback will not only be in the hands of the Rays, they will also need help.

With 22 games left, the Sox have five more games with Toronto, seven with Tampa, seven with Baltimore and three with the Yankees.  The Sox have a combined record of 32-18 against their remaining schedule.

The Red Sox clearly have the advantage being seven games up and having a more favorable schedule.  The experience Boston has will make any collapse unlikely. 

But of course, stranger things have happened and history certainly proves that bigger leads have been blown in shorter amounts of time.  As a Rays fan, all you can do is hope your team plays exceptionally well down the stretch, and pray for a monumental collapse from the Red Sox.