Column: Baseball: In Tribe's absence, let's go Tampa Bay

Of the eight teams left fighting for the 2008 World Series title, I'm left with quite a dilemma: who do I root for?

First of all let me begin by saying I am an Indians fan through and through, but an even bigger baseball fan at that. Obviously, the Tribe's ship sailed long ago for another playoff appearance. So that leaves one of eight teams to select as my favorite for this year's Fall Classic.

Lets begin with the west divisions and more specifically, the Los Angeles of Anaheim Angels. While it was great to witness the rally monkey work his magic six years ago in the Angels' 2002 World Series run, I think I've had about all I can handle of the little critter. The magic is gone, and the influx of come-from-behind victories is gone. Besides, no one likes rooting for baseball's best team.

In the National League we have the Dodgers, another Los Angeles team. I pretty much think the concept of having two Los Angeles/Anaheim teams is ridiculous, so that is automatically one point deducted. Then there is the acquisition of Manny Ramirez. Though he is a tremendous player and has been a great story for the Dodgers, if I hear "that's just Manny being Manny" one more time, I'm going to snap.

So scratch the halos and Dodger blue.

Then there are the central divisions, which the Tribe was suppose to win. While I would normally cheer on my division's representatives, I really don't think Chicago - or Minnesota for that matter - really deserves to be in the playoffs. Forgetting the fact they have the second-worst record of any other team in the playoffs, neither has played like they deserve to be there. Both teams struggled down the final stretch when they needed wins the most and who is to think they won't do the same in October?

On the flip side there are the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers - my two front runners in the NL. The Cubbies are obviously a fan favorite with their 100-year drought of a World Series ring, plus they get an extra nudge because I took a road trip to Wrigley for the first time this summer and had an unbelievable experience. The Brewers, meanwhile, have been one of baseballs greatest stories. Factor in the addition of C.C. Sabathia and his absolute dominance of NL hitters and it's quite difficult not to root for such a great player and person. Still, neither team has the lure to pin me to a TV on non-Sabathia or Zambrano days.

Scratch the White Sox/Minnesota, as well as the Brew Crew and Cubbies.

So that leaves the east divisions. The NL representative is Philadelphia, who are led by manager Charlie Manuel. Aside from the fact I can't name one player I really care to watch on that team, I care even less to see Manuel try to take another team through a deep run into the playoffs.

Scratch the Phillies.

So we are down to two now: Boston and Tampa Bay.

First the Red Sox. Uh, yeah. No. With or without Manny, with or without Pedro, I will now and forever refrain from rooting for the Red Sox.

So that leaves baseball's best story in years, the Rays.

For the first time in its 10-year existence, MLB's team with the second lowest payroll has clinched a playoff birth. No team has surprised more people this season and done so much with such little expectation. Plus they have remained consistent all season while everyone - including myself - anticipated a fall-off.

If your team isn't in the playoffs, how could you not root for The Rays? And even if they are, there is likely going to be a little part of you hoping for a Tampa Bay World Series appearance.

Matt Gottfried can be reached at gottfried.35@osu.edu