The 2011 Tampa Bay Rays went on an improbable run to the playoffs. The team began September 8.5 games out of a playoff spot. The Rays went 17-9 during the final month and, coupled with the Red Sox collapse, were able to pass Boston on the final day of the regular season to secure the AL Wild Card. Tampa Bay was then dispatched by the eventual AL champion Texas Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. The Rays are a young franchise with only 14 years of history. For a relatively recent expansion team with little money to spend in the toughest division in Major League Baseball, the franchise has been more successful than anyone could expect. The team finished in last place in the AL East nine times in its first 10 seasons; in that period the closest the team finished to first place was 18 games back while its average finish was 34 games back of first place. But the franchise turned it around in 2008 finishing in first place and winning the American League pennant. The Rays are one of the most well run organizations in MLB and have made the playoffs three of the past four seasons. In 2012, the team has a good chance to make it four playoff appearances in five seasons.  Continue reading →