According to the numbers the Tampa Bay Rays finish the season as A.L. Champs. Of course many things can change between now and early Oct. such as Jason Bartlett getting his fingered mangled by a heater or Shawn Riggans manning up and taking one in the chest for the team. Not to make light of the situation but Shawn will be fine, I've seen some devastating football hits to the upper thorax that would have killed the avg. man, but these are fine tuned athletes. Shawn most likely was winded and will have a softball size bruise in the morn'n.

Thank goodness for 15 yr old algebraic guru's. After analyzing the %'s of the Rays, Sox & Yanks, here's what sonny boy showed me as to the final standings of the A.L. East. I knew I reared a good'n:

Tampa Bay    95 - 67

Boston            92 - 70

NY Yanks       87 - 75

The tally was based on the Rays winning 73% of their home games and 45% of their road games. Based on the home / away schedule throughout the rest of the season the Rays will win 17 of their remaining 23 home games and win 13 of their 30 remaining road games. 30 more wins? That  I could live with.

The Red Sox actually win only 42% of their road games and are winning 68% of their home games. Boston's split thru the rest of the year will be winning 18 at home and 11 on the road or a total of 29 wins before years end.

The Yanks it would seem would have it the roughest but are 1 game over .500 on the road this season. Regardless, playing 30 road games in which they are basically 50% winners vs. 19 home games which they win 57% of the time makes one get the feeling the Yanks have a tough road to hoe. Out of the Yanks remaining 51 games, according to the % they will win 27 games before years end.

Congrads to Joe Madden, the team, Stuey, and Andie for a job well done.