GAME ON - Rays Fans Experience First Chase for the AL Pennant

Last year, the Tampa Bay Rays spent all of August and September fighting off the Red Sox to maintain their AL East lead. In 2009, the Rays are the ones that are going to have to chase down their AL East rivals. With both the Red Sox and the Yankees fielding very tough teams (and spending big money in the off season), the Rays have their work cut out for them. BUT, is there really anything more exciting than a bona-fide pennant race? I stated from the very beginning that all I ask of the Rays organization is that they find a way to be in the hunt come August and September. Before 2008, the Rays never played a meaningful game past June! So, here we find ourselves...confused (funky ground rules and all)...exhausted...AND EXSTATIC!!!

The Rays finally found a little bit of magic last night and now find themselves in good shape to make a move on the Red Sox. While taking nothing for granted (the Rays will have to grind it out tonight if they want to win), the Rays could get a "walk-off" boost after last night's dramatic 5-hour, 13th inning win. Additionally, the Red Sox bullpen has to be exhuasted after every single pitcher participated in the game and threw a total of 130 pitches including 30 pitches from each of Bard, Ramirez and Saito. The Rays bullpen, in contrast, threw only 80 pitches and should be fully available for tonight's game (especially since they have an off day). To make things even more difficult for the Red Sox, they do not benefit from the off day, but rather head to New York for what will likely be a grueling 4-game series against the Yankees. All of this seems to bode well for the Rays chances of closing the Wild Card gap.

The Rays currently sit 4.0 games behind the Red Sox and 1.0 game behind the Texas Rangers for the Wild Card (and 5.5 back of the Yankees for the AL East lead). Given their current position, the Rays have a lot of work to do, but they still control their own destiny! The Rays have 7 more games against the Red Sox, 6 more games against the Texas Rangers and 7 more games against the New York Yankees. In addition to that, the Rays are finding ways to win even when they aren't hitting on all cylinders.

All of this brings me to the fun and excitement of Rays Fans' first genuine pennant CHASE! Last year was amazing and one to remember forever. But, the table is set for a potentially dramatic race to the finish. If the Rays can hang around the hoop until mid-September, things should be pretty exciting for the Rays. The Rays sport one of the best home records in baseball (and are tied for most home wins in all of MLB at 35) and finish the season with 12 of their last 15 games at Tropicana Field including a 3-game set against the Yankees on October 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Buckle your seatbelts, Rays fans!