Tampa

The Boston Red Sox were hoping to avoid a Game 4 in the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, yet that is exactly what is on the table.

As such, both teams need to regroup heading forward for, what could be, a pivotal postseason matchup. 

Which team will get more from their starting pitcher and who will be the offensive stars and catalysts during the game?

Sam Fuld came as a much-needed spark following a dismal start by the defending AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays. The relatively unknown outfielder came to the Rays as part of the trade for Matt Garza.

David Price is going to have to win 20 games if the Tampa Bay Rays have any aspirations to repeat as AL East Champions.

In Friday night’s 8-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, he got put to the test and fell short...very short. It brought his record to 3-3.

Coming into the 2011 MLB season, most fans had noticed only some of the significant differences in the Tampa Bay Rays Roster.

Key players Carl Crawford, Matt Garza, Rafael Soriano, Carlos Pena and Jason Bartlett had departed for other organizations via trades and free agency.

Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon had signed for bargain deals for one season, Ramirez for $2.0 million and Damon for $5.25 million. Both veterans were hoping to make an impact.

Sam Fuld is a Durham, N.H. native and alumnus of Exeter Academy. On Monday night he made his first career visit to Fenway Park as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.

So, Manny Ramirez has decided to retire rather than face another suspension for failing a drug test.  Not surprising in the least, either the failed test or the walking away.  Once again, a lack of character taints an entire career and for Ramirez this is just the latest example.

I am finally at the end of my series examining the relative strengths and weaknesses of the teams in the AL East, on a position-by-position basis. The players at each position have been ranked in relation to their peers within the division, with each team being assigned points based on where their player ranks in comparison to the other players.

Today, the series concludes with a look at the Designated Hitters.

The best player will earn 10 points for his team, with the remaining players being assigned points as follows: 7-5-3-1.

The countdown has begun, and it is only 26 days to Opening Day.  

Every year, new players filter in and out of the league as they look to make a name for themselves in the majors.  

However, these particular players won't take long to cement their spot on their teams as we look at the top 5 rookies who will make an immediate impact for their team in 2011.

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Tampa Bay Rays fans shouldn't pin their hopes upon the dual offseason signings of veterans Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez. 

The addition of the pair of former World Series-winning heroes is merely papering over the cracks of Tampa Bay's unconvincing roster.

Spring training started last weekend.  In some cases, fans were glued to their televisions or radios to tune into games that meant absolutely nothing.

I, for one, enjoy spring training.  This season's sure to be a good one, as my beloved New York Yankees look to put together the puzzle that will send them back to the World Series and bring home title No. 28.