Sunday, 3 a.m.
Now that the Tampa Bay Rays have made quick work of the regular season, things look as if they might be tougher in the post-season.
The Rays won their 40th game of the season Sunday afternoon, closing out the regular season with a 5-0 blanking of the Philadelphia Phillies. They won their last four games and 12 of their final 16.
And now they get to take a minute.
And here comes the post-season.
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The Rays will open their playoffs at Tropicana Field Tuesday night in a best-of-three series against their old rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rays beat Toronto in their season series this year, but it was only 6-4 and four of the games went into extra innings.
"If you're in right now, every team is going to present its challenges," said Rays manager Kevin Cash. "We have a fairly good idea of that team, just as they do of us. I can bet they're going to be very well prepared and coached, knowing Charlie (Montoya, the Jays' manager) and Ross Atkins, the general manager. You can make the argument that that team -- them and Marlins -- we say it's unique what they've been through. They've been playing in a park they played in the minor leagues. We'll have our hands full."
The Rays won their finale with six shutout innings from rookie Josh Fleming. Hunter Renfroe, hitting just .156, had two hits and drove in a run for the Rays.
Tampa Bay will start Blake Snell against the Blue Jays on Tuesday.