Are the Rays going to catch Boston?

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

I sure nobody is looking for him to admit he was at all mistaken with his almighty stance that they were terrible. Somehow you all must be either misquoting him or "SPINNING" it to look better in your favor!!!!!!

[MaineDolFan]

I called Tampa.  I'm awesome.

Of course I also said that it would be the Braves & Twins in the World Series.  So maybe I'm not awesome! 

If I know one thing, however, I know the AL East.

[CF DolFan]

I called Tampa.  I'm awesome.

Of course I also said that it would be the Braves & Twins in the World Series.  So maybe I'm not awesome! 

If I know one thing, however, I know the AL East.

Hold that thought Maine. The Braves still have a shot!! 

[MaineDolFan]

Yeah...me thinks the Twins don't! 

[miamid45]

Too tough a schedule...probably miss out by 1

[EDGECRUSHER]

Yankees used 8 pitchers this afternoon to beat the Rays, and all but 3 of them started the year in the minors. Plus, the big bats were resting. Seriously Tampa? Boston is just HANDING the Wild Card to you. Are you going to accept it or will Boston just have to give it to Anaheim?

And yes, Boston is GIVING it away, no one is taking it.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Yanks just clinched the division with a doubleheader sweep of Tampa. I don't care how crappy Boston is right now, the Yankees just can't seem to beat them and I would rather face Tampa in the playoffs if it gets that far.

Overall, this means the Rays are 2.5 games behind Boston, with 2 games in the loss column. Tampa has 4 more games against the Yanks while Boston has 3, although I don't know how many regulars will be played now that the division is clinched.

[MaineDolFan]

^^If Boston and TB don't stop effin around, Anaheim is going to sneak in and steal this thing.  While people stopped paying attention, they climbed into the race and are 2.5 games out as well.

[Sunstroke]

^^^ While I'd much rather just see TB sneak into the playoffs, I have to admit that a scenario where the Angels scoop both Boston and TB for the wild card has some appeal to me as well...

[MaineDolFan]

NO ONE wants to see Anaheim make the dance.  They had a really tough stretch to start the year and then in the middle, but has been playing really good ball ever since. 

I can see where TB's bats could go cold in October (reference this series with NYY) and the pitching isn't going to completely overcome that.  Anaheim has more pop to go along with decent pitching.  Don't sleep on the Angels if they make it in.

Now, all that being said, don't completely sleep on the Red Sox if they hold on.  Buchholz is going to pitch this weekend and should be ready to bolster the bullpen for round 1.  Any time you have Beckett and Lester at 1 and 2 you have a chance in a short series.  Those short series are crazy.  The time to face Detroit would be a 5 gamer, not a 7.  As quickly as Boston has fallen into a slump they can come roaring out of it (reference the month of May).

IF Boston could make it to round two, Buchholz would then be ready to return to the rotation.  Beckett, Lester, Buchholz looks good to me. 

October is a whole new "life" -- which is why you won't see me saying "why bother."  Ask the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals "why bother?"

Probable?  No.  POSSIBLE?  Yep.  Boston has won 5 games this entire month and STILL has the WC lead, which speaks volumes to how good this team is when things are going better.  IF they spark, they could be dangerous.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Yeah, as weird as it is to say, a team's record does not always show their true ability. The Yankees may have the best record, but outside of CC, who scares you in the rotation? Hell, even CC has just been okay lately and Girardi is still having him throw 120+ pitches per start like an IDIOT.

Anaheim could be deadly with Weaver and Haren, as well as Boston with Beckett and Lester if those two go back to normal. Hell, if their whole team goes back to normal they can be deadly.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Anaheim lost tonight while the Rays beat the Scranton Yankees. So, Anaheim is 3 games back, Tampa 2 games and Boston was idle.

Boston starts a 3 game set with NY tomorrow, but I don't know how much the Yanks are even going to show up for it.

[masterfins]

How the heck would they settle a three way tie between LA, St Pete, & Beantown??

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

but I don't know how much the Yanks are even going to show up for it.

If they really hate Boston as the rivalry suggests......they fucking bring it all. Why not try to kill them off and help them not to make the postseason? I know that would be my mentality!!!!!!

[EDGECRUSHER]

They may value rest over taking down Boston. After all, they just did take 3 of 4 from Tampa Bay. 3 out of 3 if you only count games they tried to win.

As far as settling a 3 way tie goes, Boston and Anaheim would play a 1 game playoff and the winner would face Tampa the next day. It's based on common record amongst all 3 teams.