And Then There Were Four

The Tampa Bay Rays need to update their math. They began the season with 9=8, Manager Joe Maddon's philosophy that nine players playing consistently good baseball for nine innings every game will get them to be one of the eight teams in the playoffs. Well it worked. So well in fact that with yesterday's defeat of the Chicago White Sox, the Rays have moved on to the ALCS. So for now 9=4.

And who will the Rays be playing in the ALCS? The Red Sox. Yes, the Red Sox beat the Angels in Game 4 with a walk off hit by Jed Lowrie. Jason Bay scored the winning run, which was probably the highlight of his career. He should really thank Manny for being Manny.

Game 1 of the ALCS: Friday, 8:37 PM

Not that Manny is complaining since as part of the Dodgers he's part of the only team to sweep in the first round. I should congratulate Joe Torre. He hasn't gotten past the Division Series since... 2004. As the Los Angeles Dodgers finished off the Chicago Cubs so expeditiously they should be quite rested and ready to go against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Game 1 of the NLCS: Thursday, 8:22 PM