By Brandon Moor
August 17, 2010
How far out of reach was Tampa Bay from overtaking the New York Yankees? Last night, the wait crossed the finish line as the Rays stole first place from the Yankees, who owned the top spot for the better part of the season.
In a come from behind win against Cliff Lee and the AL Central leading Texas Rangers, the Tampa Bay Rays on the strength of a 6-4 win, although tied in the win-loss department with the Yankees, asserted themselves atop the American League East division.
Do the Rays have the vigor and staying power to maintain the race to the divisional crown? It’s not a difficult question to answer. This is a team who has been victim of two no-hitters in the same season. The offense couldn’t even shoot themselves in the foot, because of trying too hard to relive last year’s offensive production and the year before in manufacturing runs.
Defense calls to the Rays’ strong suit catapulting the current AL East leaders among the best in all of baseball at the present time. Defense is what’s going to win the AL East for the Rays…if they’re going to win the AL East. Lack of manufacturing runs could easily run them out of the playoff race since Boston has one last gasp, but highly doubtful.
The New York Yankees’ starting pitching is the single let down point allowing Tampa Bay to linger around as a pain in the Bronx Bombers back side. Eventually inconsistencies in the starting rotation, primarily spiraling around Javier Vasquez, left vast opportunity for the blood hungry AL East sharks open season all season long.
Whatever you do, don’t slam the book on the Boston Red Sox just yet. Only five and half games out going into tonight’s battle at home with the Anaheim Angels, Boston is has anxiously awaited the return of their heart and soul and team rally monkey, Dustin Pedroia. He’s back. Twelve of the next 18 games for the Red Sox are at home including a three game series hosting the “New Kings of the AL East Castle” Tampa Bay.
There’s only one sensible method to measure if the Rays’ lead will hold. Night by night. The American League East is the MLB’s “House of Horrors”. Nothing is safe. Promises and secrets hold the same value as a public IOU. Yet buried in the unguarded and poorly secure AL East, shock value still exists among everywhere including the fan base.
Isn’t that why they play the game? It ain’t over till it’s over baby!
Once again, the AL East persists with flowing entertainment. The Rays and Yankees will more than likely flip-flop as the season winds down. One way or the other, the AL Wild Card will come from the AL East which is why neither of the top two should rest on the grit and grind, the Red Sox will show down the stretch.
Have fun at the top, whoever you are.
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