A couple of rivalry series

The Phillies and Red Sox renew their big rivalries with the Rays and Nationals this week.

Everyone knows the bloody history between the Phillies and the Rays as they prepare for a rematch of the 2008 World Series. Actually, do two teams playing in a World Series count as a rivalry, especially when the series was so lopsided? Christine still dislikes the Rays, just because they were matched up against the Phillies, but I can barely remember who we beat in 2004 and 2007. I think if either the Cardinals or Rockies put up a fight, I might remember them more.

The Rays certainly remember. According to this story in the St. Petersburg Times, the Rays actually believe they would have won the World Series if Game 5 hadn't been postponed. Yeah, and I might be retired if I had bought a winning lottery ticket.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, relive their storied rivalry with the Nationals. OK, no real rivalry here, but I'll link to the Globe's story on the Nationals for our friend at Joe Wolf's Vertical Jump who's hoping for a Red Sox sweep to improve the Nats chances at Bryce Harper.

So far, so good: Phillies, on the road of course, are blowing out the Rays 10-1 in the 8th. Red Sox have a slim 4-3 lead over the Nationals in the 7th.

Latest bullpen injury: Clay Condrey. I swear Christine hadn't seen this post when she wondered whether MLB will cancel "The Pen" because injuries have wiped out just about everyone from the original cast. It's like the end of Family Matters when they replaced the mom and the youngest daughter quietly disappeared.