2008 AL Champions: The Tampa Bay Rays

There was a lot of doubt about Tampa Bay going in to the playoffs.

"They're too young".
"They're going to fade".
"They don't have any experience".

Tampa Bay knows how to change minds.

The Rays knocked off the defending World Champion Boston Red Sox Sunday night to capture the title of AL Champions. Matt Garza was lights out for Tampa, going 7 strong, only giving up two hits, one being a home run by Boston's Dustin Pedroia in the first inning. Tampa struck back in the 4th, when rookie 3B Evan Longoria hit a double that scored Carlos Pena. They followed it up in the 5th when Rocco Baldelli singled to left, which scored Willy Aybar. Aybar also put the final nail in the Sox coffin with a solo shot in the 7th.

Rookie David Price, Tampa's first overall pick in the 2008 draft came on with two outs in the 8th and came back in for the 9th, holding the Red Sox hitless.

Congratulations to Tampa Bay, they played a great series. They didn't get scared when Boston took games 5 and 6; rather they were calm in the pressure. They take on the Phillies in game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday night.