Showdown in The Bron... uh, St. Petersberg?

Tomorrow night, the gloves come off, er... on in this case I suppose. Either way, the Sox and Rays series begins tomorrow night, in the unlikeliest of places for a game 1, IN TAMPA. That simple fact there is still puzzling me as to how the division went the way it did this year. Usually the Sox can at least depend on the Blue Jays to take care of Tampa, but not this year. Tampa played like a team possessed, resembling the "wort-to-first" Atlanta Braves of 1991. The Braves ended up losing that year to the Twins in the World Series, but they had to overcome only the Pirates to get there (mind you that was Pittsburgh's last visit to postseason play).

The Rays on the other hand are facing the reigning champs (still playing, still reigning). There's more postseason experience on this Boston team than Tampa can even begin to fathom. Sure, there's the theory some may throw out there that the innocence of the Rays young players makes them invulnerable to the pressure, but that's a load of junk. The Rays are playing a division opponent. A hated division opponent that has literally fought them on the field about five times since 2000. You think Pedro will be watching this series?

While I don't expect there to be any major altercations between the relatively new rivals, I think a few high and tight pitches will be in order. Grant Balfour appears to be ready for battle, already staking his claim to the mound. My only hope is to see a Balfour vs Papelbon showdown in a fight. That would be a battle for the ages. Buckwild vs batshit crazy.

While I get pumped up for tomorrow night, the NLCS begins tonight and the Manny Show rolls on. It almost seems like destiny for Manny to show up in Fenway and record the largest BOO on record.

Let the games begin...