Tampa Bay Rays Have the Edge over the Boston Red Sox for AL Wild Card

The Tampa Bay Rays are three games away from stealing the American League Wild Card from the Boston Red Sox.

This scenario seemed far from possible when the Rays were nine games out of a playoff berth on September 2nd. There were many doubters of what this team with it's minimal payroll and lack of power hitting could achieve.

Luckily for the Rays none of those doubters were in the rotation or on the lineup card.

Here are five reasons that with the season down to three games remaining it would appear that the Red Sox, not the Rays, are the underdog to make the playoffs.

Red Sox and Yankees Are Both Fatigued

The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees will both start their final series for the season following their doubleheader Sunday that ended with a 14-inning Red Sox win. Although the win left the Red Sox with a one game lead for the wild card it is still a positive for the Tampa Bay Rays postseason hopes.

The Rays need to win their series against the Yankees as well as the Red Sox to lose their series to the Baltimore Orioles.

With both teams starting off on Monday likely fatigued it should provide James Shields an opportunity to get the first win against the Yankees who may look to rest players as they prepare for the playoffs. It also should increase the probability of the Orioles getting a chance to add to Boston's dismal 6-16 record since September 2nd.

The Rays come into the series winning 9 of their last 11 home games and are 17-6 at Tropicana Field since Aug 8th.

Starting Pitching

The Boston Red Sox don't have the caliber of starting pitching that the Tampa Bay Rays have. Josh Beckett is their best chance on the hill against the Baltimore Orioles and he will be playing with a tired defense behind him.

The Rays on the other hand will close their season out with James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, and David Price on the mound.

From a pitching standpoint it is easy to see how the Rays could finish the season 2-1 and the Red Sox 1-2.

Home Sweet Home

Tropicana Field is finally playing into the favor of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays are 9-2 in their last 11 games at home. The well known catwalks even played a part in two home runs Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Boston Red Sox will be on the road facing the Baltimore Orioles. Unfortunately for Red Sox Nation they are a dismal 2-8 on the road for the month of September.

The infamous dome could possibly be hosting postseason baseball for the third time in four years if these trends continue.

Jamal Wilburg is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

Follow his thoughts, insights, and ramblings on Twitter @JWilburg