After a four-game sweep of the Angels -- who, just a couple months ago, were considered nearly unassailable in the Wild Card race -- there's really only one possible way to respond:

Thirteen games above .500? Going 11-2 over the past two weeks? A full game-and-a-half above the third team in the Wild Card chase? And best of all, knowing that the Red Sox are 7.5 games back from a playoff spot and trail three other teams? Damn, it feels good to be a gangsta.

• I know saberists used to poo-poo any talk about the mental side of baseball, but it's difficult to ignore that the Rays' offense went on a tear once Evan Longoria returned. Since that time, they've had a .353 team wOBA, the best mark in the majors. And that's despite Longoria being the worst-hitting everyday player on the Rays over that time period, going .244/.294/.400 for a .281 wOBA. The Curse of the DH strikes again.
• With Jeff Niemann and Luke Scott nearing their returns, Sean Rodriguez is mentally preparing to get demoted in the coming week. Topkin's note about how Rodriguez has been preparing this season was interesting, though; here's hoping Sean's as close to a breakthrough as he thinks.
• Tommy Rancel breaks down Carlos Pena's home run from Saturday. Pena's showing his age this season, but he can still hit the heat on occasion.
• We're looking to add a couple new writers to the DRaysBay staff in the coming weeks, especially to help with Rays Tanks and Series Previews. If you're interested, please email a writing sample to me (email is in my SBN profile).