From the New York Times, no less...

After the Rays quieted the Baltimore Orioles, 4-2, on Thursday at Camden Yards, they improved to 16-12, the best 28-game start in their 11-year history. The Rays have won eight of nine games, including three-game sweeps of the Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays. So far, something is different with a team that has never won more than 70 games.

"People want to watch our team play now," left fielder Carl Crawford said.

Watching the Rays roll can be refreshing. See center fielder B. J. Upton uncork a throw from near the warning track to nab a runner at second. Marvel as Crawford churns around the bases like an Acela. Follow James Shields’s changeup as it baffles batters. Study Longoria’s fluid at-bats and smooth defense. Stare at Carlos Peña’s sweet swings.

Manager Joe Maddon sees those elements, sees terrific athletes becoming terrific players and sees a young team gaining valuable experience. Although Maddon does not dwell on being marooned in the same division with the two teams that usually have the highest payrolls in baseball, he said that the Rays were starting to believe that they belonged in the company of the Red Sox and the Yankees.

Maddon smiled when he said the Rays, who had lost their last 23 series in Boston, should be viewed differently when they visit Fenway Park this weekend. The Rays are in first place in the division, percentage points ahead the Red Sox (17-13) .