The Rays are running away with the American League East thanks to a powerful offense and a typically deep and great bullpen that makes them perhaps the favorite to repeat as AL pennant winners.
Record
86-51
Head-to-head record
Red Sox 7, Rays 9
Trend
Down, for them at least. Tampa was the hottest team in the league for much of the back half of August, but they are stumbling just a bit to start September. Granted, they are not tanking and are still comfortable atop the division, but in a stretch that includes two losses to the Red Sox they have lost three of their last five.