The Rays demonstrated over the long haul of the regular season that they were the best team in the American League East. ...more

October 15, 2008

One more win and the Rays will be the undisputed champs of the American League. ...more

October 14, 2008

Inning-by-inning, a look at the Rays 9-8 win over the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the ALCS: ...more

October 12, 2008

I think a polar ice cap just melted while we waited for Daisuke Matsuzaka to make another pitch. ...more

October 11, 2008

Star Of The Game: Daisuke Matsuzaka Some people were skeptical when Red Sox manager Terry Francona announced Matsuzaka as his Game 1 starter. Any questions now? Dice-K labored through a 27-pitch first inning, walking the bases loaded, but he was never seriously threatened. He took a no-hitter into the seventh inning - retiring 16 of 17 batters - as reporters scrambled to locate Don Larsen's home number. Dice-K walked four, but had nine strikeouts and he was removed after two singles in the eighth. ...more

October 11, 2008

Any hopes the Rays had of continuing their postseason roll ended Friday by the toss of a Dice. ...more

October 11, 2008

Red Sox-Yankees? Yes, that is a rivalry and has been for decades. Rays-Red Sox? It's the American League East's newest conflict. The Rays nosed into the picture this season, not only taking the AL East title from the Red Sox, but winning the season series 10-8 and adding some September magic. ...more

October 10, 2008

Star Of The Game: John Danks, White Sox Starter Big-game John Danks, the White Sox's left-handed starter, lived up to his billing in Sunday's 5-3 victory against Tampa Bay. The Rays collected four hits - and five base runners - in the first two innings, but only had a 1-0 lead to show for it. Danks, who defeated the Twins to win a one-game playoff for the American League Central title Tuesday, hit his rhythm in the middle innings. From the third through the sixth inning, Danks permitted only two base runners as the White Sox built their lead. Danks passed the 100-pitch mark in the seventh inning, when he allowed a two-run homer to B.J. Upton, but Chicago was in command. ...more

October 6, 2008

The White Sox averted a sweep of their ALDS series with the Rays, turning a three-run fourth inning into a 5-3 win. ...more

October 5, 2008

Star Of The Game: Rays' Bullpen Last season, it was one of the most motley crews ever assembled in major-league history (6.16 ERA, worst since the 1950s). This season, the Rays' bullpen has been strictly lights out. Scott Kazmir, despite early pitch-count troubles, got into the sixth inning. From there, it was closed out by Grant Balfour, J.P. Howell and Chad Bradford. In two playoff games, Tampa Bay relievers have retired 18 of 23 batters (61/3 innings, one run allowed on a homer, no walks, nine strikeouts). "They don't have a legit closer, and I see they have lefty, righty, lefty in the bullpen," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "That's why they have the brightest men I've seen in the game right now." ...more

October 4, 2008