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THE MAIN ATTRACTION

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 28, 2008

The Rays have been downright dominant at home, their .714 winning percentage at the Trop among the best in baseball.

Away from Tropicana Field is another matter, their .438 winning percentage a clear sign of a young team still learning its way in what has become a three-team American League East race.

That's what makes this weekend's series against Detroit, the only AL team Tampa Bay has yet to face this season, so important.

The Rays have lost only four of their 18 home series this season, only one since the start of May. Take at least two of three from Detroit and Cleveland, which visits next week to conclude the six-game homestand, and Tampa Bay continues its home dominance.

Here's why success on this upcoming homestand is so critical: Following the series with the Indians, the Rays play 13 of their next 16 games on the road, starting with a daunting 11-day, 10-game trip to Seattle, Oakland and Texas.

After a brief three-game homestand against the AL West-leading Angels, it's back on the road for three with the AL Central-leading White Sox.

Indeed, the path to the postseason is filled with numerous potential roadblocks.

Continued home success will help ease that road.

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