Ladies and gentlemen, this is pennant chase baseball.
Tampa Bay came into tonight’s contest two games behind the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles, so the next four games on both the familiar foes’ schedule loom large.
Both teams can clinch postseason berths this weekend, with the Rays’ magic number for a postseason spot at five, and the Orioles’ at three.
As far as the division goes, this series looms large. The winner of the American League East most likely will receive a first round bye, and the second-place team will have to play a three-game series during Wild Card weekend.