It is only right.

   All season long, it has been about the Rays and Red Sox.

   So its only right that the American League pennant comes down to this showdown.

   This is why Joe Maddon beat the drum for the AL East title.  The division champ owns homefield advantage in this best-of-seven.  That is huge in this series.  The Rays are 8-1 versus the Red Sox at Tropicana Field.  The Rays are 2-7 at Fenway.  But those two wins came in September when every win meant everything.

   Anybody that went to any of the Rays-Red Sox collisions at the Trop this season knows that the building was electric.  I can only imagine what its going to be like for Games 1 and 2.  And if the series goes the limit, can there be anything better than a Game 7 at the Trop between these two?  It may even be better than any matchup for the World Series.

   Here's what's truly fun about this ALCS, the Rays and Red Sox have built a rivalry.  It is hot.  It is heated.  And it has been nasty.  Few have taken the Rays seriously in the AL East over the years -- and for good reason -- but the Rays have their attention now. 

  Buckle up for what should be one of the biggest sports weeks in Tampa Bay sports history.

  Al Keck