Of the Tampa Bay Rays next ten games, seven of them are against the AL East-leading New York Yankees. By and large, how the two teams fare in these seven will determine the winner of the American League East.
So far, the Rays have taken 6 of 11 in the series – just over half.
Of the seven remaining games, four of them are up in New York, and the other three in St. Petersburg.
As we said earlier, if the Rays win just two of these seven games, they are likely to be OK for the Wild Card spot in the American League. I believe the Rays will take at least two games.
However, I believe the Yankees will take at least two games, too.
With both teams trading the top spot in all the land back and forth all year long, and the near-split of the season series thus far, it's probably safe to assume the Yankees will win four of the seven, keeping everything 50-50. That’s the logical thinking, so it probably won’t happen.
We’d be thrilled with a split in New York and a series win in St. Pete. That gives the Rays four of seven, which will virtually put the Rays in a position to lead the AL East through the rest of the regular season.
But let’s win five of them to leave no question, mmmkay?