IS THIS THE END OF THE WORLD?

Wow! I don't know where to start. The Rays are playing out of their minds right now and are looking damn good doing it. In fact they have been playing so well that I haven't had a new post in a week because of the state of shock that I'm just starting to recover from. Yet when looking back at the last couple of weeks the only explanation for their winning ways is that they are just playing good fundamental, baseball. I know that is not the sexiest awnser but it's the truth. The Rays have won 15 of their last 24 but more impressively have won six of their last seven series including three sweeps. But it's the way they have accumulated these wins that has really got the Bay are up in a frenzy.

Since the first day of spring manager Joe Maddon has been serious about installing a winning attitude based on the basics and the team has not only bought this message, they have invested it towards the future. Good pitching, timely hits, and most importantly, stellar defense can be accredited to the teams recent success. As I before mentioned, the attitude is the underlining factor here. This Rays team won't roll over any more when pushed against the wall, cause no one puts C.C. in the corner. This is a scrappy mix of youth and veteran leadership that proves good character and chemistry is the foundation for success. If you don't believe me just recap a few of the victories over the past couple of days.

Percy blows a save, no problem, Navarro will hit a grand slam in the 13th. Bullpen tired, no sweat, Sheilds and Kazmir will pitch deep into the game. Starting pitching having some issues, don't worry Crawford will do it all by himself. Remember it's not how you win, as long as you win. The other teams in the A.L. East have known this day will come, but know the rest of the league is paying witness to a franchise that doesn't let inflated payrolls or egos get in the way of playing the game the right way.

Navarro Good, Bullpen Better, C.C. Best

The two biggest question marks coming into this season have, by all means, been the two biggest surprises so far. Dionar Navarro came into this season with a make or break attitude hell bent on proving to every one that he more then belongs to be in the Bigs. Average fielding and sub-par hitting had him closer to the exit than his locker, and after another freak accident where he had to get stitches in his hand slipping in the dugout, it looked like just another mishap that has seemed to follow him through out his career. But since coming of the DL he has been nothing short of fantastic. In four games he has gone 6 for 14 with 2 walks and 3 R.B.I.'s. Not to mention the starting pitchers he's caught in those games have all looked quite impressive. He has almost single handily kept the team in competition over those games.

I say almost because the biggest surprise by far has been the pen. After setting records for worst relief pitching in baseball history, the Rays now hold the title of best bullpen in the majors with an E.R.A. at 3.4, and if you were to take Reyes out of the equation it would about 2.9. Hats off especially to Scott Dohman, who has been more then effective as both a long reliever and a situational pitcher. But to be the best you have to beat the best, and after a slow start there is no one hotter right now than Carl Crawford. Last night he hit two triples and a single to extend his hitting streak to 13 games and give the Rays (and my fantasy team) the boost it most desperately needed.

What is really impressive though is that during this streak, 12 of those games have been multi-hit games and 6 have been three hitters. As of now Carlos Pena is really the only one slumping and I think Maddon giving him a night off will be good for him, and I do believe he will bounce back shortly. So hopefully the team can keep this winning streak rolling and when you can get production from you superstars and your "scrubs" then only pennants can follow. Wait, did I just say that?