The Tampa Bay Rays make their postseason debut this afternoon against the Chicago White Sox. Game 1 of their ALDS series begins at 2:30 p.m est. Chicago beat three different teams to end the regular season and now are facing a well-rested Rays team. Tampa Bay should win this series as long as their bullpen holds up. Closer Troy Percival was left off the ALDS roster because of injury, so the rest of the unit will have to step up. Carl Crawford returns to the Rays lineup after missing significant time. This will be a huge boost to Tampa Bay, who already had a strong defense in the outfield to begin with.Many times, a team that fights to get into the playoffs plays better than the team that's got all the rest. However, I don't see it happening here. The White Sox pitching staff has been under a lot of stress lately and I don't see that being a good thing heading into this series. The combination of James Shields, Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza should be plenty to get past the South Siders. The White Sox might steal a game, but that's all. I'm looking forward to what Ozzie Guillen is going to say after his team makes an early exit.
RAYS IN FOUR GAMES
Shawn Marosek
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