Daily Loaf

OK, last night it looked as if locals finally got tired of Red Sox fans having a party at the Trop — especially during Monday night’s series opener — and came out in force. The sellout crowd was a strongly pro-Rays — as it should be (as if that needs to be said).

I’ll be interested in what happens attendance-wise in the next four home games against the Twins. If any of them draw in the sub-20,000 range, that’ll be an abject disappointment. As far as I’m concerned, anything under 30,000 will basically suck.

The Twins do not have a strong fanbase in Tampa Bay, and unlike the Red Sox and the Yankees, the Trop won’t have a strong contingent of road-team rooters. The Twins are not in the same division as the Rays, so are not natural rivals.

But, a big BUT, the Twins are the team that can challenge the Rays for a playoff berth. So they are indeed rivals over the next four days. The Rays can clinch a playoff spot by conquering the Twins in the coming series.

Not to mention that the next four home games — the last of the season — play a major role in the race with Boston for the AL East title.

That should be more than enough reasons to show up and support the home squad.

I’ve stayed on the fence regarding the question of whether Tampa Bay is a viable baseball market, but if the Trop is anything but rocking over the next four days, I’m going to side with the naysayers.

The Rays need to win these next four games, or at least the majority of them. It’s another major test in a historic season. And, at risk of shilling for the club, the fans need to show. That’s yet another major test.

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