This season, the Rays were behind the New York Yankees by 10.5 games in the middle of July. Again, the Rays have started a comeback, using their improved health over the course of the last month, along with a possible collapse by the Yankees to climb within three games in the standings. Presently, the Yankees and Rays are in the midst of a three game series, where the Rays won the first game. A sweep of this pivotal series would pull the Rays within a game of the playoffs.

The similarities between the two teams are fairly remarkable. Through September 15th in both seasons, the Rays were three games out of the playoffs. Both squads struggled to hit ranking 12th in batting average, .244 last year and .238 this season. While the Rays got on base more frequently and hit for more power last year, pitching was still the strength of both clubs. last season, the Rays had a 3.58 ERA, ranking second in the American League; this year, the Rays pitching staff has posted a 3.24 ERA, first in the league.

Tampa ended 2011 by going 17-10 in September to make the playoffs. A pivotal series with the Red Sox from September 15 through September 18, where the Rays took three out of four games, helped catapult them back into contention. Presently, the Rays are 7-5 in September, and need another late season run to make the playoffs. Mirroring last season, the schedule has the team they are directly chasing in a weekend series, providing a perfect opportunity to gain ground in the standings.

2012 may end up being a lot like 2011. The Rays themselves and the schedule appear to be set up for a repeat performance of last year. But first, the Rays need to take care of business this weekend.

Four days later, the Rays have won four consecutive games, taking the last two from Toronto and the first two of their set with the New York Yankees. The Yankees, meanwhile, have seen their ten game cushion in the AL East be whittled all the way down, and are now tied with the Baltimore Orioles for the division lead. Should the Rays finish off the sweep tonight, they will find themselves only a half game out of the playoffs.

The Rays could have easily pushed the panic button multiple times this season. Injuries to Evan Longoria, Jeff Keppinger, and Luke Scott decimated the offense. James Shields had been unable to replicate his success from 2011. Even though David Price had taken the next step in his development and has turned into a truly dominant pitcher, it appeared as though the Rays had too many problems to overcome. Yet, the Rays hung around .500, remaining on the fringes of the playoffs, and resisted the urge to part with key components of the roster.

Presently, the Rays are considered to have a 65.1% chance of making the playoffs, either by winning the division or taking one of the two Wild Card slots. The Yankees, despite their recent slump, are still considered to have a 79.4% chance at the playoffs. However, if any team was in need of a panic button, it may be New York. Suddenly, the Yankees roster, aside from Derek Jeter, appears to have aged. Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson have been doing their best impressions of Rob Deer. Robinson Cano has been injured, and the Yankees pitching staff suddenly cannot get crucial outs.

Since 1995, the New York Yankees and/or the Boston Red Sox have made the playoffs each year. Boston has not been a threat practically all season, and the Yankees are fading fast. Should the Rays continue their September surge, that streak may come to an end this season.

However, since that point in the season, the Rays have been on a roll, going 21-10 over their last 31 games. Meanwhile, the Yankees have faded back to the pack, going 15-17. The 10.5 game lead has been trimmed down to only four games. Likewise, the 2012 playoffs seem to be within reach, as the Rays presently enjoy a 1.5 game lead in the Wild Card standings.

As the Yankees have been hit hard with injuries recently, losing Alex Rodriguez and C.C. Sabathia, the Rays have gotten healthy. Evan Longoria has returned to the lineup, helping spark an offensive surge as the Rays have once again discovered their ability to score runs. Luke Scott returned to action yesterday after missing a month, and provides another power threat to the lineup. The Rays, as a team, have hit .273 for the month of August, have hit 20 home runs, stolen 16 bases, and have scored 90 runs. The pitching staff has been phenomenal, putting together a 2.10 ERA thus far in August, holding opponents to just under a baserunner per inning. David Price has had an excellent month, going 2-0 with an ERA of 0.60. James Shields has rounded back into form, and the bullpen has continued it’s solid play.

The Rays have been one of the hottest teams in baseball recently, and it has reflected in the standings. Where the focus had previously been on sticking around and making a run in September, the Rays have charged forward, and now find themselves nipping on the heels of the New York Yankees. There are still forty games to go until the playoffs, but the Tampa Bay Rays may be ready to embark on another run through October.