Delayed but not denied...
The Rays are headed back to the World Series after curb-stomping the Rangers in Game 6, finally doing the trick on the third time of asking. Elijah Whitaker was simply brilliant, taking a one-hit shutout into the 8th inning and only losing it after the game was well in hand. They got a couple of early runs including a Joel Bland homer and kept tacking on until they blew it open in the 6th with Angel Gonzales (who was quiet the whole series up until that point) homering deep into the Tampa night with a pair on to make it 8-0 and ensuring a Game 5 repeat wasn't in the offing. Paul Mayes added a grand slam in the 8th to make the rubble bounce and Rodrigo Aponte made it 2-for-2 in playoff MVP honors, taking the ALCS nod after doing so in the ALDS as well. We'd all be glad to see him complete the hat trick. Jorge Barraza will get the ball for Game 1 of the World Series at Publix Park and it will be those Colorado Rockies serving as the opposition as they took their Game 6 as well:
