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Rays on verge of making history

Sep 20, 2008 - 10:12 AM Minnesota (83-71) at Tampa Bay (91-61) 3:55 pm. EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Rays are one win away from the unthinkable - a postseason berth.

The Rays aim to secure the franchise's first playoff appearance on Saturday when they host the Minnesota Twins, who are also in the thick of a pennant race.

Baseball's biggest surprise, Tampa Bay is in the midst of a Cinderella season, having gone from the outhouse to the penthouse. The Rays lost 96 games last season, but have stormed to the top of the American League East.

One sign that the Rays may truly be a team of destiny: they were the beneficiaries of the first reversal using instant replay. Carlos Pena had a two-run double changed to a three-run homer after a four-minute, 10-second review on Friday as Tampa Bay rolled to an 11-1 victory.

"It seemed like a long time (waiting), but I'm glad they went and checked it," said Pena, whose drive to right field was originally ruled a double due to fan interference. "I thought it was a home run. You don't want to go home with a doubt."

The Rays hold a 1 1/2-game lead over Boston (91-63) in the American League East and can clinch at least a wild-card spot with a win. They can also clinch with a loss by both the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees.

"It's very exciting to be in this position," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "To get to the postseason is great, but we still have goals to win the East and have the best record in baseball. We don't want to be satisfied yet."

Fittingly, ace Scott Kazmir (11-7, 3.50 ERA) has the chance to help the Rays make history. Kazmir has been the face of the franchise since being acquired from the New York Mets in 2004.

The lefthander will try and shake off a terrible start in which he allowed nine runs and six hits in three innings of a 13-5 loss to Boston on Monday.

The Twins, who trail the White Sox (85-68) by 2 1/2 games in the AL Central, counter with Kevin Slowey (12-10, 3.66). Slowey is 5-2 with a 2.54 ERA in his last eight starts.