Rays or Yankees: Which AL East Team Is in Bigger Trouble in Game 4?

The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays are both in a state of emergency down 2-1 in the 2011 ALDS to the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers respectively.

The American League East is supposed to be the juggernaut division in baseball. After a grueling season, the two teams left standing now find themselves on the brink of elimination.

This isn't how it was supposed to happen.

The two teams seemed destined to be on a crash course for head-to-head competition in the ALCS. After all, it was David Price and the Rays that gave up Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit earlier this season. Then it was former Rays pitcher Rafael Soriano on the mound for the Yankees as they clinched the AL East.

Later Soriano would be on the mound in game 161 to give up a crucial home run to keep the Rays alive leading up to the memorable 162nd and final game of the season that will always be remembered.

It almost seemed as if at every crucial moment the Rays had this season it was immediately followed by a series with the Yankees. However, logic would suggest that at least one of these teams will join the Boston Red Sox in watching the continuation of the playoffs from home.

Here is a look at both teams' current situations and which one is in bigger trouble as they prepare for Game 4 of the ALDS.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays' destiny bubble will burst if Jeremy Hellickson can't keep them alive when he takes the mound in Game 4 against the Texas Rangers.

The Rays' playoffs woes are a continuation of the regular season. One game, the team seems like they can score at will and makes a young pitcher look like a Hall of Famer. The next game, their dominant pitcher has some struggles and allows a team to stay in the fight. The game after that, they get a good enough pitching performance to win but can't get a man on base even though their season depends on it.

Not to mention a bullpen that is as up and down as the stock market.

Luckily, the Rays seem to play their best baseball with their backs against the wall.

The home crowd should help make a difference for the Rays and allow them to squeeze out a Game 4 victory and send the series back to Texas. Although, in the eight game playoff history between these teams, the home team is 1-7.

Their future depends on which version of the 2011 Rays shows up Tuesday afternoon and how many more miracles they can pull out of their caps.

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees chase for their 28th championship lies in the arm and glove of A.J. Burnett. Yes, that A.J. Burnett.

The same Burnett that finished the season with a 6.85 ERA since the All-Star Break and came out of the bullpen in the Yankees' final game of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Unfortunately due to the weather delay in the beginning of the series the rotation falls to him in this pivotal Game 4 for the Yankees who have been in this position before.

In 2006, the Detroit Tigers and Yankees faced off in the ALDS. Just like this year, Game 1 went the way of the Bronx Bombers and Game 2 was delayed to a weather delay. The Tigers would take Games 2 and 3 leaving a series-clinching Game 4 in Detroit that the Tigers would win and advance to the ALCS.

The Yankees are hoping history doesn't repeat itself.

Who Is in More Trouble?

There is no question that the New York Yankees are in more trouble than the Tampa Bay Rays.

First of all, disappointments are based upon expectations.

Even if the Rays were swept by the Rangers the overall feeling about their season would have been a success. They would be remembered as this team with a low payroll that rose above the odds to earn their third playoff birth in four years amidst the greatest comeback in baseball history.

History will not be as kind for this Yankees team.

For them, elimination will be a story of continued struggles for the team with an open checkbook for salary. It will be reminders of their failure to sign Cliff Lee or another ace for their starting rotation in the offseason. It will be questions about diminishing Derek Jeter's role in the lineup as the captain continues to age. There will likely even be doubts about Girardi's ability to lead this team into title contenders on an annual basis.

Some of the doubt, hate, and ridicule will be absurd but that is what comes with playing in the New York spotlight in Yankees pinstripes.

If the 2011 Yankees suffer a repeat of the 2006 Yankees it will mean the season was a failure, as championships are the only measure for success for the team.

Jamal Wilburg is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

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