Rays set record, but how will they handle adversity?

Last month, I made a post predicting the Tampa Bay Rays would make the playoffs. But as a wildcard team, not the AL East winner.

The Tampa Bay Rays continue to play great baseball, winning 8 of their last 10. In fact, they have just set the franchise record for wins in a season with their 71st victory. There are still 45 games to be played in the season.

Although Rocco Baldelli is back, the Rays have lost players to injuries in back-t0-back days. First, it was Carl Crawford and now it's All-Star Evan Longoria.

He is hitting .278 and leads the Rays with 22 home runs, 71 RBI, 27 doubles and a .533 slugging percentage.

His 22 homers rank sixth overall in the American League, lead all major league rookies and are a Tampa Bay rookie record. Longoria also leads AL third basemen with a .971 fielding percentage.

The loss of Longoria will hurt more than that of Carl Crawford. This young, talented team has been oblivious to the pressure of being the AL East leader. It will be interesting to see how they handle the adversity of being without these two stars. And depending on the outcome, this could be a blessing in disguise getting them ready for playoff baseball.