Beautiful Run Ends

 

The Tampa Bay Rays did not make it through game 6, losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers 1 to 3. But it was one heck of a run. They won 11 out of 20 games on their way to the World Series and showed us all how a small-market team can make its way through the wild card, the division championship, the league championship, and into the World Series. 

Box Score

Of course, I could quibble with tactics (I am far from alone), but they were tactics that have worked well in the past. Other interesting stories here and here. 

Overall, the geeks were on track.

Here We Go — Rays vs Dodgers

 

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The Tampa Bay Rays against the Los Angeles Dodgers is, to many, an unequal match. The Rays had the best record in the American League, but the Dodgers had a better record in the National League. The Dodgers payroll has got individual players with larger salaries than the entire Rays roster. 

The Rays have played 14 games over the last couple of weeks, winning 9. The Dodgers have played just 12, also winning 9. I don't know if that's an advantage or disadvantage. However, I would guess that the Rays are happy to get out of San Diego. They've been in that "bubble" for a long time.

The folks over at FiveThirtyEight have numbers that show the Dodgers as heavy favorites:

They might even go so far as to pick the Dodgers in four — but they would have done the same in the NLCS, which went seven.

We are left with hope, youth, and managerial skills.

The Rays Are In

 

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Forgive me for thinking that I might never see so many ex-Durham Bulls in the World Series as we will see on Tuesday, but I was worried. 

I am really tired of looking at the shadows in San Diego. I know that television rules the playoffs (just behind covid), but everything on the west coast and middle of the country? But the move to Texas is OK. East coast would be better.

I'm not rooting for either the Braves or the Dodgers tonight, but I guess it would be fun to see a southeastern world series. Plus, the Bulls used to be a Braves franchise back before the Rays, née Devil Rays, and the AAA Durham Bulls (and the DBAP) came into existence.

Congrats to all. Well-deserved. They worked for it.

One More Win

 

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The Rays are one game away from going to the World Series. The Braves are handling the Dodgers. What an odd playoff season, but so nice to see ex-Durham Bulls doing so well out there in San Diego. 

FiveThirtyEight has a nice take on how the Rays are doing it (written before Wednesday night's win). Plus their updated Predictions imply that it could be a Rays/Braves World Series. Wouldn't that be something?

Matchups - League Championships

 More geek stuff from the folks over at FiveThirtyEight. 

The Dodgers are still looking very good for the National League (first game is Monday). The Rays won an incredible thriller last night (Friday) and play the Astros on Sunday. It looks to be a close game.

And Then There Was One

 

And suddenly there is just one contest lest in the Division series. The Astros (AL) are in. In the NL, the Dodgers and Braves are in. The only spot left is for the Rays or the Yankees. 

A couple of ex-Durham Bulls are with the Rays, so guess who I'm rooting for?

On the Verge

 

The Rays, Astros, Dodgers, and Braves need one more game to get into their finals. Rays-Yankees contest is particularly interesting and fun to watch.

Matchups

 Geek stuff. According to the number-crunchers at FiveThirtyEight, here's how the next round of playoffs looks. By the numbers, the LA Dodgers should have a relatively easy time of it over the Padres. So should the Braves over the Marlins. However, The Astros/Athletics matchup is much closer and the Rays/Yankees competition is a wash (even though the Rays owned the Yankees this year). Should be fun.

First Round Done

 

Rays Sweep Blue Jays

 

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The Rays are off to San Diego to play the Yankees in the Division series "bubble". Nice to see Charlie Montoyo, but the Rays were in a groove these last couple of days.