Down to the Wire

Story of Red Sox' September: Here, Jacoby Ellsbury can't make catch, resulting in Robert Andino inside-the-park HR

The Red Sox and Braves have folded when it matters most. But they're not out. Once far and away the two wild card leaders, these two ballclubs have fallen apart down the stretch and have put themselves in must-win situations against teams that aren't playing for anything. With only two games left for all four teams, the Red Sox, Braves, Rays and Cardinals will duke it out for the right to play on into October.

On the first day of September, the Boston Red Sox led the Tampa Bay Rays by nine games, and were actually a half game up on the Yankees for the AL East lead. It was almost a given Boston was in and would be a major threat to take the title to Beantown. While it is still a possibility, a 6-18 month is not a way to get that going. On the other hand, the Rays have played steadily, going 15-9 in September en route to tying the Sox. Now, Boston plays their final two games against the basement dwelling Orioles, who have had a knack for beating contending teams recently. The Rays finish against the AL's top seed, the Yankees, who don't have anything to play for and are starting relief pitchers. If the Sox and Rays finish with the same record, get ready for another Game 163.

The Cardinals have played themselves back into contention but will need some help from the 100-win Phillies to play on. Still a game back on the Braves with two left, the Cards need to take care of the Astros and hope the Phils beat the Braves at least once to stay alive. Going 8-16 this September, like the Red Sox the Braves are also on the verge of a historic collapse.

About five weeks ago I wrote a blog post stating if baseball wanted September races, second place team would have to have extraordinary Septembers. That didn't necessarily happen; while the Rays and Cards have certainly played well, much of the end-of-season urgency can be largely attributed to the slides by the Sox and Braves.

Better Than The Cycle?

Is the cycle a big deal? Not to Rays outfielder Sam Fuld, who passed on one by hustling for a second double. Batting in the 9th inning yesterday at Fenway Park in his hometown of Boston, Fuld already had a homer, a triple and a double. He lined the ball into the left-field corner, and rather than stopping at first to complete the cycle, as his teammates wanted, he ran hard to second base for the two-bagger.

Fuld actually, in fact, had a better game as a result of this. Sure, many thought it would have been better if he had stopped at first, like his teammates, who were jokingly covering the faces and throwing their hands in the air when he did not. Manager Joe Maddon sure appreciated the play, though, tweeting, "Speaks to Sam's integrity that he didn't stop at 1st to get the cycle in the 9th. Its what he's all about." We'll see if a simple, fun play like this can help rejuvenate the struggling Rays.

Ramirez, Damon Reunited, now in Tampa Bay

In 2004, Johnny Damon looked like a caveman and Manny Ramirez' dreads were the same as always when, as members of the Boston Red Sox, the two cornerstone players won a World Series. The Boston Curse was over at last. Those days are long gone for the 37-year-old Damon and 38-year old Ramirez, both far past their prime, but looking to prove they both have something left in the tank.

The small-market Tampa Bay Rays haven't exactly had the best of offseasons this winter, losing the top dogs of their 2008 World Series team, Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena. Rafael Soriano, the team's lights-out closer last season, recently signed with the Yankees. Tampa's window seems to be closing. Evan Longoria, the team's centerpiece, remains, but the Rays look to be headed back to where they've been for years: at the bottom of the standings, or at least watching from home in October.

They still possess a solid starting rotation, led by up-and-coming superstar ace David Price, who started for the American League and this past season's All-Star Game, as well as the aforementioned Longoria. But without Crawford and Pena, will the Rays be able to produce nearly enough offense to contend with Boston and New York in the AL East?

GM Andrew Friedman showed he at least wants to try with the signings of Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon. It would be a dream for him and the 50 fans that go to Tampa Bay games if they could relive what the two did as teammates in Boston, a World Series championship. Could the 2011 Rays be the 2008 Rays, or better yet, 2010 Giants? All of the signs say no, but there is certainly a chance.

Damon will take the place of Crawford in the outfield, where the Rays can expect a slight drop-off in every statistical category. But Damon is still a solid MLB player at this stage in his career, who can almost guarantee a .350 OBP.

In Ramirez' case, one really doesn't know what to expect. He still seems to be, while not the Manny Ramirez of the past, one of the better hitters in the game. .280/25/75 or so, while seemingly slightly exaggerated, does seem realistic for this season (if he can stay healthy) considering what he's done with the bat the past few years.

While the signing of Damon and Ramirez certainly doesn't make the Tampa Bay Rays once again contenders for an MLB crown, it gives them a fighter's chance. Damon is a veteran clubhouse leader while Manny will be Manny, regardless of location. What would be nice for the Rays organization is if these signings could bolster attendance for the team a bit, but we all know that's not going to happen anytime soon.