Bo-Sox in drivers seat?

I've heard several people say the Red Sox comeback win against the Rays last night puts them in the drivers seat in the ALCS.

I don't think so.

Granted, there is the danger of the Sox getting in Tampa Bay's head...with all the past come from behind series wins, but here are three reasons I think the Rays will pull it out.

1. Home field. The Red Sox have to win two at the Trop. No easy task. That makes it a little different dynamic than going home to finish out a series. The Rays battled all season to win the AL East and earn home field, and this is where it pays off.

2. Ray resilience. The Rays have battled back all year. All year people have expected them to fold under pressure. Most recently, in the final stretch when Boston had virtually moved into a tie for first. The Rays responded and took two from the Bo-Sox, after getting wacked in the first game of the set. This team has proven it can respond to adversity and I think they will again.

3. A bold coaching move. Joe Madden shuffling his pitching rotation to start Kazmir last night proved brilliant on two levels. First, Kazmir threw a gem...6 innings of shutout ball. Secondly, it allowed Sheilds to rest. He will pitch at the Trop in game six instead of Fenway. in Boston, Shields is 0-3 with a 10.12 ERA in his career, but 19-8 with a 3.25 ERA at home.

American League East standings

Yankees
Red Sox
Blue Jays
Orioles
Rays

No, that isn't the order of finish in the regular season. The list represents payroll from highest to lowest.

Yankees: $209 million
Red Sox: $133 million
Blue Jays: $98 million
Orioles: $67 million
Rays $44 million

In fact, in all of Major League Baseball, only the Florida Marlins had a lower payroll than the Rays.

You can see the whole list here.

It doesn't happen often, but sometimes the little guy does finish first.

About Face

People across the country are starting to hear about the Tampa Bay Rays. Last night, they clinched a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history.

I've known about the Rays for a long time. I lived about 6 blocks from their stadium. I could almost smell the futility from my apartment.

Last season, new ownership took over the in St. Petersburg. Gone was stingy old Vince Namoli. He treated the fans with contempt and milked the franchise to line his own pockets, refusing to spend any money to put a competitive team on the field. Gone was the Devil from their name, and this season, gone are their losing ways.

If you haven't followed baseball in St. Petersburg, it's hard to comprehend what a turnaround this season represents. It's not just a one-season about face…a two year worst to first story. It's an entire franchise history turned on its head.

This is a team that never before had a winning season. A team that people said would NEVER compete in the AL East with the Yankees and Red Sox. A team that for several years looked more like an AAA farm club than a real MLB organization.

But today is a new day in Tampa Bay. The Rays will play baseball in October! They even have a legit shot to win the AL East outright.

So congrats to Tampa Bay. I can't wait to watch my Rays in the playoffs!