ST. PETERSBURG — Are the Rays really in the race for the second American League wild-card spot? Sitting 7½ games behind the A's with only 19 games to play certainly makes it a matter of perspective — and perhaps considerable faith.
But have they been playing like they are in a playoff race?
Absolutely.
Especially in Monday's thrilling 6-5 walkoff win over the AL Central-leading Indians, on Ji-Man Choi's two-run, two-out homer in the ninth.
"An exciting win, to say the least,'' manager Kevin Cash said.
The Rays had showed it in winning seven of their previous eight games, 16 of the last 19, 29 of 46 since the All-Star break (fourth best in the majors) and 74 of 125 (sixth best) since that horrid 4-13 start that seemed to doom their season.