As some of you know, I'm a native of the Tampa Bay area, so I naturally keep an eye on the Tampa Bay (no more Devil) Rays.

And the Rays are doing what a lot of struggling teams do - they look at success in the exhibition season with too much hope in their eyes.

You can't blame them.

But is the Rays' 17-6-2 record a sign of wins to come, especially in the AL East?

The best thing the Rays have going for them is the Orioles. Baltimore is everyone's pick to finish last in the division.

In today's St. Petersburg Times, veteran reporter Marc Topkin points out that the Rays have the third bext exhibition record since 1980. The Angels (18-7 this spring) have the fifth best record.

Looking at the list, the other five teams among the top seven reached the playoffs (with the 26-5 Marlins winning the World Series in 1997).

Will the Rays reach the playoffs?

Uh, no. They will give the contenders better competition, and maybe win a series or three ... but no playoffs.

One minor note: Former Sea Dogs ace Jorge De La Rosa ('03) was designated for assignment by the Royals.

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