Best Baseball Day Ever? Rays Celebrate as Red Sox Implode

Baseball players say it all the time: The 162-game season is a marathon, and you can’t focus on one game too much.

Then there were Wednesday’s games between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles, along with the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Red Sox and Rays were fighting for the last AL playoff spot, while the Yankees had clinched the division and the Orioles were relaxing in last place.

The marathon turned into an epic Usain Bolt-like 100-meter sprint to the finish.

The Rays were down seven runs going into the eighth inning. They scored six in that inning, then another to tie the game in the ninth. The game remained tied going into the 12th inning.

Flip over to the Red Sox and Orioles game. The Sox were up by one run going into the seventh inning.

In the seventh inning, the Red Sox had the bases loaded. They didn’t score.

In the eighth inning, the Red Sox had a guy thrown out trying to score. And in the ninth the Red Sox, once again, had the bases loaded. They couldn’t score.

Going into the bottom of the ninth, the Red Sox were up by one, hoping shaky closer Jonathan Papelbon could secure the 3-2 victory.

This is where the two games collide. While Papelbon had struck out the first two batters in the ninth, the Rays were up in the bottom of the 12th inning. Then Papelbon gives up a double, then he gives up another double—the score is now tied. And of course he gives up the game-winning single.

Red Sox lose 4-3.

Back to the Rays game, who now know if they win, they are in the playoffs. B.J. Upton strikes out, then Evan Longoria walks up to the plate and hits a 327-foot, AL Wild Card-winning home run.

It was a beautiful ending to the regular season for America’s finest pastime.

Four important NFL match-ups

Miami Dolphins @ San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers has more interceptions then touchdowns, expect that to change after this game as the Dolphins have given up the most points to quarterbacks in the league. If the Chargers can establish their running game like last week, a lot of points will follow—then again they only scored 20 against the Chiefs, so what do I know?

Detroit Lions @ Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys squeaked out a victory against Washington on Monday night thanks to six field goals. If they want to beat a potential playoff team in the Lions they need to score touchdowns on the turnovers their defense makes. For the Lions to prove they are legit, they need to put pressure on Tony Romo’s achy ribs and capitalize on the opportunities they get.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Houston Texans: Are the Texans a playoff team? Everybody seems to think so, the only problem is they have yet to beat the best, and the Steelers are the best. The game will be a true indication if the Texans can finally win a Peyton Manning-less division. The Steelers need to not turn the ball over like the last few weeks, and the “old” defense needs to prove their dominance.

New York Jets @ Baltimore Ravens: A potential playoff match-up in the making. It is going to be a great battle between two marquee teams on prime-time Sunday night. The Ravens struggled at the start of the season, but have seemed to get back on track after beating the Rams 37-7. This game will feature two great defenses, and whichever bends the most will wind up losing.

MLB playoff predictions (that will be wrong)

Rangers over the Rays in three games.

Yankees over the Tigers in four games.

Diamondbacks over the Brewers in five games.

Phillies over the Cardinals in three games.

Observations from the week that was, Sept. 23-29

The four minutes of baseball awesomeness as described above, thanks to Deadspin.

The Chargers game will be blacked out, instead we will be able to watch the Patriots at Raiders game ... great.

I am looking forward to everything about the MLB playoffs ... except Craig Sager’s suits.

Chargers defensive tackle Antonio Garay is rolling around San Diego in ... um, well you just have to see it.

Grown men acting like kids at Christmas, that's what baseball does to you.

Proof that journalist don't always know what they are saying.

This is something I would do.

And finally, who wants to see me get slammed down face first on a wrestling mat? Thought so.

Fantasy corner

I am proud to say I finally won the championship in my league with my high school buddies. It only took five years.

With that being said, all of my football teams are doing terrible. I have Chris Johnson and Peyton Hillis ... and am 0-3, go figure. For those in the same boat as me, don’t try and get too cute when setting your lineups. Stick with what should have worked in the past. Johnson and Hillis aren’t as bad as they have been playing. Things will get better... I hope.

For the record

Bolts 31 Fins 14