Maybe all this hard work and struggle stuff is overrated. The Yankees picked up a game on the Tampa Bay Rays and took control of the AL East division without setting foot on a diamond in the last two days. Not bad, if you can do it! And now the Rays, who had their own destiny firmly within their grasp just 48 hours ago find themselves looking for help from the Boston Red Sox to win the division, all because they’re 1-4 in their last five games against teams you’d expect the Rays to beat by four or more runs 8 out of 10 times they play, in the process being shut out three times. Wow. Pennant stretch runs don’t get much crappier than that.
MAGIC NUMBERS
Rays: 3
Yankees: 3
SATURDAY’S SCOREBOARDS TO WATCH
New York @ Boston 4:10 p.m.
Rays @ Kansas City 8:10 p.m.
New York @ Boston 9:05 p.m.