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Rays, Red Sox playing surprisingly meaningless series

 
With nothing at stake for the Rays, Alex Cobb faces the Red Sox looking to push himself at the end of the season.
With nothing at stake for the Rays, Alex Cobb faces the Red Sox looking to push himself at the end of the season.
Published Sept. 23, 2014

BOSTON — Having battled in the playoffs last year for the second time, and dramatically in several other Septembers, the Rays and Red Sox meet this week in what would have seemed six months ago to be the most unlikely scenario: with nothing at stake.

The Red Sox, a year after winning the World Series, are guaranteed to finish last in the American League East. The Rays, a popular pick to win the World Series this season, are most likely to finish fourth and with a losing record.

"It's awful," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It's awful for both of us. Playing in this division has been a blast. And normally, since 2008, it means something. And I'm here to tell you, I don't like it, we don't like it, when it doesn't mean anything.

"They've been going through it a little longer than we have, but their difference is they're coming off that World Series high so maybe it's not bothered them as much, who knows.

"But hopefully by next year at the same time, both teams will be back to their normal behavior."

PRACTICE MODE: RHP Alex Cobb also wishes the stakes were higher. But — with an April oblique strain keeping him from once again pitching a full season in the majors — he takes the mound tonight, and in Sunday's season finale, with a purpose: to garner experience pushing himself at the end of the season.

"Almost a practice session for years to come," Cobb said.

"It's tough. Guys are beat up, arms are tired. Proving you can do that, understanding your body, knowing it's going to be a little bit different than when your arm is feeling fresh and live, it's just something you want to prove to yourself that when you get to pressure situations late in September next year, hopefully when we're in it, it's not something new."

There is another benefit for Cobb: He needs 82/3 innings for the 162 to qualify for the AL ERA leaderboard. He currently would rank sixth at 2.82.

LOSING BATTLE: Sunday's loss made official what seemed likely, that the Rays' streak of winning seasons ended at six. Only the Yankees (approaching 22) and Cardinals (seven now) have done so over the same span; the Braves have a slim shot at their sixth this year.

"It's really something to hang your hat on in today's game," Maddon said. "Based on other teams that have been unable to do it, and all the accessories at their disposal, the stuff they have in their possession that we don't in order to make it work, I was really, really proud of that for all of us."

MISCELLANY: With 22 homers this season, 3B Evan Longoria has raised $8,800 for St. Petersburg's PetPal Animal Shelter. Longoria, the team, his Ducky's Sports Lounge and Bright House Sports Network contribute $100 for each. … RHP Chris Archer has won 10 times in 31 starts but never two in a row. Per Elias, he is just the fifth pitcher in the past 40 years to make at least 20 starts and win at least 10 without back-to-back W's, joining Doyle Alexander ('86 Jays/Braves), Kevin Gross ('89 Expos), Jim Abbott ('90 Angels) and Kyle Kendrick ('10 Phillies).