Star Of The Game: Matt Garza The Rays needed an inspired performance in Sunday night's Game 7 of the American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field. That's exactly what they received from right-hander Matt Garza, who pitched the game of his life in a 3-1 victory against the Boston Red Sox, sending Tampa Bay to its first World Series. Garza, the ALCS Most Valuable Player, allowed just two hits in seven innings on 118 pitches - he started the eighth, but was immediately removed when shortstop Jason Bartlett booted Alex Cora's routine grounder. He struck out nine and walked three, finishing 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in the ALCS. ...more

October 20, 2008

It's no coincidence that the Rays' offensive renaissance in post-season has coincided with B.J. Upton's surge. ...more

October 14, 2008

This is for Little Big Man. Across the Pacific, in Uwajima, Ehime prefecture, on the Japanese island of Shikoku, where Akinori Iwamura was born 29 years ago, they would have partied until dawn after his big Friday night if it wasn't already 9 in the morning Saturday. Japan is 13 hours ahead of Tropicana Field. The Rays are two games ahead of the White Sox in the AL Division Series. ...more

October 4, 2008

Last season, the Rays' bullpen was an absolute joke. Major-league baseball hadn't seen a crew that motley – 6.16 ERA – since the 1950s. ...more

October 3, 2008

It's no small irony that the Rays might face the Minnesota Twins when the American League playoffs begin Thursday afternoon at Tropicana Field. ...more

September 30, 2008

Apparently, you can still learn something new, even in game 159 of the season. ...more

September 26, 2008

Manager Joe Maddon spent a few days trying to decide whether LHP David Price, RHP Mitch Talbot or RHP Jeff Niemann will fill a slot for an extra start at Baltimore this week. ...more

September 22, 2008

The Rays celebrated like there was no tomorrow after clinching a postseason berth Saturday night. ...more

September 22, 2008

It will be at least a few more days before Evan Longoria is allowed to return to the starting lineup, but he took a big step forward Saturday. ...more

September 7, 2008

The underlying theme in Joe Maddon's messages to his team back when winning was still a novelty rarely wavered. ...more

September 6, 2008