Taking two out of three games against the Red Sox did a lot for the Tampa Rays last week. Nevermind that the Sox gift wrapped the pivotal middle game, and were outplayed in the finale. The Rays were well on their way to an AL East title by winning at Fenway and putting distance between themselves and the Sox.
But when all was said and done, we were right back where we were a week ago with the chance -- one last chance -- to capture the AL East against the division leaders. To do it, we've got to sweep, plain and simple.
Sure, two out of three would be great. We would leave Tampa in better position than we came. But it would be awfully nice to go to Tornoto two games clear.
Not only would we be in the drivers seat for the division, but the Rays would hit the panic button. For them to lose the division now would be catastrophic from a confidence standpoint. Plus, it would put them up against the Angels in Anahiem. And that's not a good thing if you're Joe Madden.
On the other hand, the Sox would have to play the Twins or the White Sox. Both teams we've beaten this year. Both teams we should be able to plow under and get to the ALCS.
and if you'd told me that we could get to the ALCS without Manny, without Buchholz, without Schilling, at the start of this year, I wouldn't have believed it.
These three games are important for another reason. If the Rays sweep, they have a clear shot at home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Same goes for the Sox, although we need to rip off a couple of wins in Toronto as well. Either way, both of us need the Angels to fall off if we're going to go into the postseason with all the cards to play. That's the real high stakes in this three game showdown.
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