The Tampa Bay Rays have turned into the feel good story of baseball this year by going from last a year ago to first in 2008.  And not only did the Rays manage to win the division, but they also fought off the Boston Red Sox and New Yankees to do so.  

This has resulted in a Rays team who has gained an edge and confidence as they head into unfamiliar territory this postseason.  While many think that the Rays will be a deer in headlights on the big stage, I feel they will be just the opposite and as loose as can be.  

The Rays will feature great pitching, a scrappy offense, a superb defensive unit, and relievers who simply throw heat.  This formula spells trouble for any opposition.  And while both the Chicago White Sox and Rays play a great deal better at home than they do away, I am giving the edge to the energetic Rays in what should be a wild series.  …

No, not that cup. They won the inaugural Victoria Cup. The Rangers traveled to Bern, Switzerland, for their final two preseason games. On Tuesday, they took on SC Bern, and yesterday played Russia’s Metallurg Magnitogorsk in a battle for the coveted (let’s just pretend) Victoria Cup, which will pit the European champion against an NHL team every year for a $1 million prize. After going 1-5 in their first six preseason games, was stopping in Bern along the way to Prague to play less-than-NHL competition the best thing for the team? It turns out it may have been. With Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan just about the only Rangers looking ready for the season, and Tom Renney still searching for team chemistry and line combinations, these games may have helped more than people thought. And it was a good chance for the team to bond.
Switzerland’s SC Bern hosted the Rangers on Tuesday. It …