Defending AL champ Rays poised to open ALDS against Red Sox

By FRED GOODALL
AP Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have won more games than any other team in the American League over the past two seasons, going about their business with a quiet confidence that has the full attention of the Boston Red Sox. The AL East rivals meet in a best-of-five Division Series that begins Thursday night at Tropicana Field. The defending league champion Rays are looking to take the first step toward a return to the World Series, where they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers last fall. The Red Sox are in the playoffs for the first time since 2018, when they won it all. Boston beat the rival New York Yankees in the AL wild-card game to advance to the ALDS.