American League bEAST

So the Rays won their first ever postseason series in decisive style over the Chicago White Sox, 3 games to 1. Up next is one of their main division rivals of the Boston Red Sox. Hopefully, for the sake of humanity, the Rays will come out of this best-of-seven series on top and represent the American League in the World Series.

The series begins in Tampa for games Friday and Saturday nights. The series will then move to Boston for games Monday and Tuesday. If necessary there will be another game, in Fenway Park, Thursday. Still if the series has not been decided the teams will travel back to Tropicana Field and finish games six and seven on Saturday and Sunday.

This series seems to have been building in suspense all season. The Rays have been the American League punching bag since the teams inception in 1998. They have had ten straight losing season until recently when they stormed the league with a record that challenged for the best in the Majors for much of the season, even finishing with the 2nd best in the league and 3rd overall. This season has proven that the Rays' have had enough and began fighting back, literally. On March 12, the Rays and perpetual AL East contenders of the Yankees had a bench clearing brawl resulting accusations of dirty plays in that game and the previous. Tensions also flared in a game with the Boston Red Sox. The benches cleared in June when both of these teams were vying for the top spot in the league. The Sox have been almost the polar opposite of the Rays franchise; having won two World Series Championships in 2004 and 2007 and appearing in the postseason every year since 2003. There is no doubt that the Rays would like to establish their own reign over the American League and keeping it in the American League East family. (After the Yankees and Red Sox dominated since the the mid 1990's)

There is no doubt that the tension and dislike will be relevant during this American League Championship. Here are the probable pitchers, with their regular season stats. Obviously these are subject to, and most likely will, change. (especially games 4,5,6,7)

Boston Tampa Bay
Game 1: Daisuke Matsuzaka (18-3 2.90) v James Shields (14-8 3.56)
Game 2: Josh Beckett (12-10 4.03) v Scott Kazmir (12-8 3.49)
Game 3: Jon Lester (16-6 3.21) v Matt Garza (11-9 3.70)
Game 4: Tim Wakefield (10-11 4.13) v Andy Sonnastine (13-9 4.38)
Game 5*: Daisuke Matsuzaka (18-3 2.90) v James Shields (14-8 3.56)
Game 6*: Josh Beckett (12-10 4.03) v Scott Kazmir (12-8 3.49)
Game 7*: Jon Lester (16-6 3.21) v Matt Garza (11-9 3.70)

*if necessary