Two Guys Sports
Bruce BostwickTampa Bay Needs to Get it Together to Win the AL East
September 8th 2008 16:16
Tampa has somewhat fallen down but will probably at the least get a Wild Card spot. This series with Boston could make or break them. I'm not saying it will but there are things that need to happen for this team to win the East and possibly have some excitement going into next year. You see, the AL East had been so easy to predict that it doesn't take rocket science to pick who wins. It went from 1998 to 2007 that the Yankees would be picked to win it and chances are they'd be right. Boston won last year and was a favorite to win the East and probably go back to the World Series.
Granted, they still will be considering they are the defending World Series champions. Can Tampa overcome their road woes and for that matter overcome Boston? I don't know. Would I like to see them do it? Yes. I think this team could be an inspiration for other teams that if they can make the playoffs despite having consistent losing seasons, then so could anyone else. Maybe other teams should look at them and see how they play.
Before I go into detail, I didn't think very highly of the Rays because of their history and what seemed like bad ownership to this team's failures. You could add a lack of direction but it seems like maybe they're finally getting it. I can admit to being wrong there. I will say I am very impressed with this team. Can they do it in 2009 and continue their momentum? I don't know at this time.
The Rays have been struggling to keep a hold of the lead and maybe the season is wearing on them and there is an intense level of pressure and Boston is giving it to them. The season series is 6-6, with both teams gaining sweeps at their own respective fields.
Whatever problems this team has, it best get rid of them right now. There is no time to mess around. I'm thinking more and more the Red Sox didn't exactly come off as losers in the trade with Manny. If Tampa is to win the division, they must win it in convincing fashion. It doesn't mean they'll go to the World Series, it just means they got their first division crown and could help eliminate the AL East being so predictable on who wins it.
Granted, they still will be considering they are the defending World Series champions. Can Tampa overcome their road woes and for that matter overcome Boston? I don't know. Would I like to see them do it? Yes. I think this team could be an inspiration for other teams that if they can make the playoffs despite having consistent losing seasons, then so could anyone else. Maybe other teams should look at them and see how they play.
Before I go into detail, I didn't think very highly of the Rays because of their history and what seemed like bad ownership to this team's failures. You could add a lack of direction but it seems like maybe they're finally getting it. I can admit to being wrong there. I will say I am very impressed with this team. Can they do it in 2009 and continue their momentum? I don't know at this time.
The Rays have been struggling to keep a hold of the lead and maybe the season is wearing on them and there is an intense level of pressure and Boston is giving it to them. The season series is 6-6, with both teams gaining sweeps at their own respective fields.
Whatever problems this team has, it best get rid of them right now. There is no time to mess around. I'm thinking more and more the Red Sox didn't exactly come off as losers in the trade with Manny. If Tampa is to win the division, they must win it in convincing fashion. It doesn't mean they'll go to the World Series, it just means they got their first division crown and could help eliminate the AL East being so predictable on who wins it.
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