Here’s hoping the pre-All Star swoon by the Rays is nothing more than an ebb in a half-season that overflowed with wins. Here’s hoping that what happened last year to the USF Bulls’ football team doesn’t also afflict the Rays.
Recall how the Bulls went from undefeated and second in the nation to multi-defeated and a one-sided loser in the Sun Bowl. A key reason: When the pressure was off and little was expected nationally, the team found it easier to play with abandon and win as underdogs. When expectations were rapidly ratcheted up and the media glare intensified, the Bulls didn’t exactly play with grace under pressure.
For what it’s worth, Las Vegas odds-makers haven’t jumped ship on the Rays. Current odds on the Rays winning the World Series are 8-1 — behind only Boston (3-1), the Chicago Cubs (4-1) and the Los Angeles Angels (6-1). The Rays opened the season at 200-1.
For the record, the Rays are 6-6 against the Red Sox, 3-0 against the Cubs and 4-2 against the Angels.