With only four games remaining in the regular season and trailing by three games in the American League Wild Card chase, the Tampa Bay Rays are facing a must-win situation beginning Sunday against the Chicago White Sox.
The Rays trail the Oakland Athletics by three games for the second AL Wild Card spot. If the Rays lose Sunday and the Athletics win, Tampa Bay will be eliminated from the playoffs. The good news for the Rays is they have been playing extremely well lately. Tampa Bay has won nine of its last 10 games.
They've won two of the first three games against Chicago and will then finish the season with three games at home against the Baltimore Orioles. The Rays currently trail Baltimore by four games in the AL East. The Orioles are tied for the division lead with the New York Yankees.
While the Rays have been playing well lately, they have been unable to gain significant ground recently as the Athletics and Orioles have both been winning as well. Baltimore has won its last three games with Oakland has won two straight.
Complete MLB standings can be found at Sports Illustrated.