The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the White Sox 10-4 Saturday and are now three games behind in their chase for the second AL wild card.
The coach and players of the Rays must have realized that they have an uphill task now. Trailing by three games with four to play and having to chase for a wild card berth is not an easy task by any means.
It's noteworthy, however, that they hadn't clinched a playoff spot until the last day in the previous season. This would certainly make them more optimistic this season.
The Associated Press quoted manager Joe Maddon as saying: "We have to believe we're going to get the help while we take care of our own business. We're 1-0 on Saturday, let's go 1-0 on Sunday. I'm like the biggest scoreboard watcher, but at the end of the day I can't worry about that.''
For the Chicago White Sox, it's very challenging as well. They're already trailing Detroit by two games with just four left in the AL Central. They have to beat David Price, the Rays ace, in their game on Sunday, who would be going for his 20th win.
Alex Rios, the White Sox outfielder said: "We have to win every game and hope Detroit loses a couple. That's what has to happen."
With nine victories in 10 games Tampa Bay, are games short of the second wild card behind Oakland. The Athletics defeated the Seattle Mariners 7-4 in 10 innings in Saturday's game.
After Sunday's game, the Rays will play against Baltimore at home while the White Sox will go to Cleveland. The Detroit Tigers will go to Kansas City. The Oakland Athletics have three games to play against the Texas Rangers. Rangers are leading the AL West.
Mat Moore, the Rays pitcher said: "I never felt that there was anything wrong, especially physically. And that's where a little bit of the questions came from at this stage of the season and with my age. That's a natural question with my velocity being down a little bit. But I felt like I went out there and competed with what I had.''
Chris Sale (17-8), the White Sox pitcher, lasted just 3 1-3 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits. "That was terrible," he said. "That was a disgrace. I did nothing to help the team win, put guys in positions that they shouldn't have been in.
"To go out and have your starter go three innings, that's a recipe for a disaster pretty much every time. Like I said before, just didn't do my job. Team needed me and I didn't pull it out for them. Just a frustrating day."
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