Rays Chew Up A Pair

Yowza. The Rays offense stuffed a sock in Boston again last night. When it was ovah, The Monsta said "TB 13. BOSTON 4".

Carl Crawford and Willy Aybar feasted on Wakefield whiffleballs and Boston relievers. Crawford set a Post Season record with his 5 for 5 performance that included everything but a dinger. Aybar's 5 RBIs once again demonstrated the Rays incredible depth. Tampa Bay wasted no time establishing the momentum with one out in the top of the first. A four pitch walk to speedy BJ Upton of a knuckleball pitcher guarantees a stolen base. Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria followed with back to back home runs. From there it just seemed easy.

Sonny was superb again, going 8+ and giving up his first three earned runs to Boston of the entire 2008 season.  Jackson closed it out setting the radar gun on fire with a slew of 95 mph plus heaters. He may just become the Rays 2009 closer

The Rays broke several post season records last night. It's tempting to get swept up in the hoopla, but here's a sobering fact. 15 teams have trailed 3-1 in a League Championship Series. 4 have come back to win in seven games. 3 times, it was The Boston Red Sox. 1 year ago, Boston trailed Cleveland three games to one and you remember the rest. But the 2008 Sox don't have Manny or Mike Lowell producing buckets of runs.

It's killin' me, but today it will be Humble Pie.  The tasty Boston Creme(d) Pie can wait a few more days.

Unravel 'Em Rays

Rays Roster Revisions: As the clock ticks down to Game One of the ALCS tonight at 5:37 PTown time, the Rays released the official series roster. Eric Hinske slides over to make room for an 11th pitcher.  Edwin Jackson, one of the regular season starters gets the nod over the Rays semi-official regular season closer, Troy Percival. Whew. I can pad the Bubbly Budget with unspent Rolaid/Tums bucks. You hate to see anyone not make the roster at this point in the season, but the reality of needing a couple of long relievers at some point in this 5 game series there.  Hinske's comment?  "...it's not about me; it's about the team winning ballgames."  Class act.

Fandemonium: The Florida Aquarium is tossing Red Sox shaped snacks into their rays tank at 2pm today.   And check out this sand castle.  Game on!

The 26th Roster Spot: You won't see 'em on the line-up card, but the rings that support the dome at the Trop are just as likely to get into the game as any reserve player.  Here's an interesting look at four controversial rings the Rays already own.

EggBowl Distracts PTown Baseball Fans  ALCS Game One just happens to fall on the night of The EggBowl. That's the annual gridiron meeting of Petaluma's two public high schools.  It's a legendary battle.  This is one PTown fan will be watching baseball.  Go Rays. Unravel 'em.