Dressed in Rays gear head to toe, Kathy Plank holds court at every home game as the "Cowbell Queen." ...more

October 23, 2008

Joe Maddon said it after his team lost Game 3 of the American League Division Series, and he repeated it more than once before Game 4. He was not at all concerned that the Rays' first setback would linger, and he was proven right Monday. ...more

October 7, 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 home run bashing White Sox beat the Rays in uncharacteristic fashion Sunday, scoring their runs in a 5-3 victory with speed, audacity and timely hitting. ...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

So far, the American League Division Series between the Rays and Chicago White Sox has been strictly men and boys. And now the White Sox are the ones asking, "Hey, can we go outside and play now?" ...more

October 5, 2008

If the Rays are going to sweep the White Sox today at U.S. Cellular Field, they're going to have to go through the pitcher who got that team into the postseason. ...more

October 5, 2008

The playoffs will feel different for the Rays today. Their climate-controlled home field will give way to the elements, with a chill in the air and showers in the forecast. Their cowbell-clanging supporters will be replaced by 40,000 black-clad, towel-waving White Sox fans who have seen their team through three elimination games in the past week. ...more

October 5, 2008

The Chicago White Sox had an early opportunity to blow things open Friday night. Instead, they find themselves in a deep hole. ...more

October 4, 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