The Tampa Bay Rays have advanced to the World Series for the first time in their franchise history with their 3-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Game 7 of the ALCS. Matt Garza, who was acquired in a trade from the Minnesota Twins last offseason, was very effective, only giving up one run and striking out nine. The Rays, who were an expansion team in 1998, have drafted a lot of good players over the past couple of years and it has finally paid dividends. They won the AL East division, with the Red Sox and New York Yankees being the dominant team in the division for years. For their first 10 years of existence, they have had 10 losing seasons and have not won more than 71 games in a season. They are the second team in history to make it to the World Series a year after owning baseball's worst record. The Atlanta Braves of 1991 accomplished that feat but lost to the Minnesota Twins in seven games. The Rays will face the Philadelphia Phillies, who defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games in the NLCS. Garza was named the ALCS MVP, with several other players deserving consideration. Third basemen Evan Longoria and center fielder B.J. Upton each hit four home runs in the series, and Carlos Pena hit three home runs. The Rays have home field advantage, due to the fact the American League won the All-Star Game back in July at Yankee Stadium. The World Series starts Wednesday night in Tampa. Who do you think will win the World Series? Which team poses a bigger threat?
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