By ROB MAADDI<\/p>\n
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) \u2014 Junior Caminero took bites from a massive bone-in tomahawk steak in between questions from reporters inside a beer-soaked clubhouse as teammates danced around, sprayed bubbly and celebrated the Tampa Bay Rays\u2019 third American League pennant.<\/p>\n
The Rays and their low payroll and small-ball style are heading to the World Series seeking the first championship in franchise history.<\/p>\n
After a three-game sweep of the rival New York Yankees in their Division Series, the Rays eliminated the Cleveland Guardians in six games by winning three in a row to close out the AL Championship Series.<\/p>\n
Next up is a matchup against the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers,<\/a> another thrifty club from a small market that also has never won a World Series.<\/p>\n Caminero, the All-Star third baseman who hit 42 homers during the regular season, finally connected for the first time in the postseason, launching a drive off the left-field foul pole to give the Rays a four-run cushion in the seventh inning of a 7-3 win<\/a> Monday night.<\/p>\n He savored every second of his home run trot, emphatically pounding his chest before reaching first base and imitating Randy Arozarena\u2019s signature pose before crossing the plate while his former Tampa Bay teammate watched from the stands.<\/p>\n \u201cTampa, this is for you!\u201d Caminero shouted to fans after the game. \u201cCome on now! Let\u2019s go!\u201d<\/p>\n Veteran slugger Yandy D\u00edaz, who guaranteed a Game 6 victory through an interpreter on Sunday, also blasted a two-run shot, going deep in the eighth after the Guardians closed to 5-3. D\u00edaz also celebrated with a slow trot that wasn\u2019t quite as demonstrative.<\/p>\n D\u00edaz held the tomahawk steak, a tradition he started when the Rays clinched the AL East title, and flexed his arms while taking champagne sprays from teammates.<\/p>\n \u201cProtein, medium well, big biceps,\u201d D\u00edaz said with a smile.<\/p>\n The Rays have time to enjoy their victory before heading to Milwaukee to face the Brewers in Game 1 on Friday night.<\/p>\n They got here by winning 98 games in the regular season thanks to excellent pitching, strong defense and a group of unselfish hitters with a knack for bunting and playing fundamental baseball. They opened the season with a payroll of $90.5 million that ranked 26th in the majors.<\/p>\n \u201cThese guys deserve it. It\u2019s a special group,\u201d Rays President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander said. \u201cThese guys did an unbelievable job coming together, exploding for 98 wins and building belief in one another. I\u2019ve never seen a group come together like this one has with so many different ways to beat an opponent on a given night, so many ways to play to the scoreboard. They don\u2019t bludgeon people; they just find ways to win and a lot of different ways to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Rays are in the postseason for the sixth time under manager Kevin Cash. They lost the World Series to the Dodgers in 2020 and the Phillies in 2008.<\/p>\n This group has dominant pitching led by ace Drew Rasmussen, ALCS MVP Freddy Peralta<\/a> and closer Bryan Baker.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought this team really came together about as well as you could in the spring training setting, given the roster turnover that took place. There were a lot of new faces. And you could sense it was a pretty close-knit group,\u201d Cash said.<\/p>\n Now, the Rays are four wins from capturing the first World Series crown in the franchise\u2019s 29 seasons.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n