Rays KO Sox, Head to Series

(NEWSER) - Torrential rain in Philadelphia forced the suspension of tonight's World Series Game 5 midway through the sixth inning with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Phillies tied at 2. Carlos Pena tied the score on a two-out RBI single before Evan Longoria lined out and the umpiring crew called for the tarp. The contest will resume Tuesday night at 8, the Inquirer reports—weather permitting. The Phillies lead the best-of-seven series, 3-1. More»

The teams in this match-up make it worth watching

(NEWSER) - Nobody's watching the World Series, and this year, writes Gene Wojciechowski for ESPN, everybody's missing out. Both the Rays and the Phillies came from behind to get here. They’re both managed by colorful characters: One wears a Mohawk, and the other would “rather swallow a wad of chaw.” The games are full of great rookies and vets, and “have been decided by a grand total of four runs.” More»

Rays' talent rises to occasion, avoids epic collapse in beating Boston to seal Series trip

(NEWSER) - The improbable has happened. The Tampa Bay Rays have ousted the defending champion Red Sox. Sportswriters, start your fawning:

• The Rays won this thing with “talent, talent, talent,” which trumps experience every time, writes Bob Ryan in the Boston Globe. “The best team in the American League is going to the World Series.”
• Besides, the Rays played like grizzled veterans, writes George Vecsey of the New York Times, thanks to a “lineup full of heroes doing the big things and the small things.”

Fan unintentionally coins rallying cry for first Series berth since '93

(NEWSER) - When a delirious Phillies fan called in to a radio show after Philadelphia's NLCS win, he inadvertently coined the team's new rallying cry. "Boston did it. The White Sox did it. Why can't us?," he asked. While waiting to see which AL team they'll face, Phillies fans have joyously embraced the grammatically challenged slogan, Deadspin reports. More»

Both win easily, with Tampa star a unanimous choice in AL

(NEWSER) - Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto and Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria were named the rookies of the year today in the National and American leagues, respectively. Soto, 25, was voted an All-Star Game starter and finished the season with a .285 batting average, 23 home runs, and 86 RBI, the Tribune reports. He easily beat out Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto. More»