No matter how far the Rays get this season, and no matter how many revenue-generating postseason games they host, that won't change principal owner Stuart Sternberg's plans to reduce the payroll - potentially significantly - from this year's record in excess of $70-million.

"No question. Nothing can change that,'' Sternberg said before Tuesday's game. "Unfotunately there's nothing that can happen between now and April that can change that unless Joe Maddon hits the lottery and wants to donate it, or I hit the lottery.''

Sternberg wouldn't say how low the payroll may go, though he said in spring training it wouldn't reach even the $60-million range. "I don't have a plan in mind what the lower (end) is,'' he said. "I just know it's going down.''

Sternberg also said:

* The Rays "can't come close" to turning a profit this year.

* He is "not optimistic" season tickets will rise much for 2011 based on this year's success.

* Having a large lead over the Red Sox for the wild card is the most surprising part of this season for him.