The World Series didn't lack its fair share of storylines, but now it's over. The Phillies made sure they didn't have to travel back to Florida as they took care of business as Game 5 was continued on Wednesday night, beating the upstart Rays 4-3 and laying claim to their second title in franchise history.

It was something never before experienced in World Series' history, a game suspended after 5.5 innings and tied at 2-2.

It was odd last night watching the Rays warm-up both Grant Balfour, who pitched a scoreless inning of relief in Monday's monsoon and was in the game when it was suspended, and lefty J.P. Howell. The Phillies had Cole Hamels due up when the game resumed, forcing Charlie Manuel to start the game with a pinch hitter.

Veteran Geoff Jenkins was summoned from the bench and he delivered with a double to open up the evening. Jayson Werth drove him in with a double, giving the Phills a 3-2 edge. The Rays would fight back though. Rocco Baldelli, who was hitless in the series, quickly tied the game at 3-3 when he took Ryan Madsen deep.

The Phillies would get the decisive run of the game and the series when Pat Burrell, who was 0-for-13 in the series, doubled to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning. Manuel opted to pinch run  Eric Bruntlett. He moved up to third when Shane Victorino grounded to second after failing to get down a bunt. The Rays had to bring their infield in once again, and Pedro Feliz was able to guide a Chad Bradford pitch back through the middle, making it 4-3.

Brad Lidge, who didn't blow a save the entire year, locked down the win in the ninth, but not before the Rays had the tying run in scoring position. Evan Longoria popped out before Dioner Navarro broke his bat on a base hit to right field. Pinch-runner Fernando Perez stole second base, but pinch-hitter Ben Zobrist lined out to right field. Pinch-hitter Eric Hinske swung through a low pitch to strike out, and the Phillies piled on top of each other near the mound in celebration. 

Hamels pulled off a rare feat Wednesday, becoming just the fifth player in history to win the Most Valuable Player award in both the World Series and in a League Championship Series.

MLB world series, phillies, rays, cole hamels, geoff jenkins, jayson werth, pat burrell, eric bruntlett, shane victorino, pedro feliz, brad lidge, charlie manuel, rocc baldelli, ryan madsen, chad bradford, evan longoria, dioner navarro, fernanado perez, eric hinske

With the baseball season reaching its halfway point earlier this week, it's the Tampa Bay Rays that find themselves with baseball's best record, 50-32.

Tampa Bay has been a refreshing team to watch, as they've matched a great core of young talent with the right mix of veterans to acheive a winning chemsitry.

With their win on Tuesday night over Boston, the Rays are now 2 1/2 games up in the AL East, their largest lead of the season.

"These guys aren't like they used to be," Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield said. "They're pretty good over there."

The Rays have done it with good pitching, improved defense and timely hitting. They have also avoided getting caught in the highs and lows they have experienced during the best start in franchise history.
    
"It's still a long road, and we have to take it day to day," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. 

A closer look at the stats, bring an even greater appreciation of Maddon's team.  Of the core players in the line-up, only one, catcher Dioner Navarro (3.16), is hitting above .300. However, four different players - Evan Longoria (47), Eric Hinske (44), Carl Crawford, and B.J. Upton (41) - have over 40 RBI's.

The team lacks a 10-game winner, but has five pitchers with 6+ wins - starters Andy Sonnanstine (9-3), Matt Garza (7-4), Scott Kazmir (7-3), James Shields (6-5), and reliever J.P. Howell (6-0). Reliever Troy Percival (19 saves) was just placed back on the 15-day DL due a nagging hamstring, but the team has depth in the pen as they boast three other players with 2 saves a piece - Howell, Grant Balfour, and Dan Wheeler.

There is a long way to go, but count me as Rays' believer. 

MLB rays, joe maddon, dioner navarro, evan longoria, eric hinske, carl crawford, b.j. upton, andy sonnanstine, matt garza, scott kazmir, james shields, j.p. howell, troy percival, grant balfour, dan wheeler

STUDS OF THE WEEK
Over the past week the Cubs' Alfonso Soriano has been on fire. He has 15 hits in 28 at bats, including 7 HR's and 13 RBI's. His 1.357 slugging percentage is even more impressive than the .536 clip he hit at.  Most fantasy owners have never even heard of George Sherrill entering the season, but after grabbing four saves over the past seven days the Orioles' closer is no longer going unnoticed.

DUDS OF THE WEEK
Time is running out on the Yankees' Andy Pettitte. The veteran has shown flashes of promise in '08, but he disappointed owners this past week posting an 0-2 mark with a  7.20 ERA in 10 rather dismal innings of work. Though he has shown some promise of turning things around this weekend, the Indians' Grady Sizemore still turns up as a dud after batting .192 this past week and having just 1 HR and 1 RBI.

KEY INJURIES
Roy Oswalt (groin): questionable for 5/22 start vs. PHI
Rafael Furcal (back): out until at least late May
Alex Rodriguez (quadriceps): expected to return this week
Chone Figgins (hamstring): on 15-day DL and out this week
Jason Isringhausen (hand): out until at least early June
Clay Buchholz (Fingernail): placed on 15-day DL
John Smoltz (shoulder): making progress, May return possible
Jorge Posado (shoulder): out until at least late June
Hank Blalock (hamstring): rehab assignment delayed
Troy Tulowitzki (quadriceps): Late-July return likely

TWICE AS NICE
Here are some two-start pitchers to consider this week:

AL
Must-starts:
C.C. Sabathia - @CHW (Jose A. Contreras), TEX (Doug Mathis)
James Shields - @OAK (Joe Blanton), BAL (Daniel Cabrera)
Roy Halladay – LAA (John Lackey), KC (Gil Meche)

Sleeper Picks:
Mike Mussina – BAL (Daniel Cabrera), SEA (Carlos Silva)
Boof Bonser – TEX (Scott Feldman), @DET (Nate Robertson)

NL
Must-Starts:
Jake Peavy – STL (Todd Wellemeyer), CIN (Bronson Arroyo)
Cole Hamels - @WAS (Jason Bergmann), @HOU (Chris Sampson)
Ted Lilly - @HOU (Brian Moehler), @PIT (Paul Maholm)

Sleeper Picks:
Chad Billingsley – CIN (Matt Belisle), STL (Todd Wellemeyer)
Mark Hendrickson – ARI (Micah Owings), SF (Pat Misch)

WAIVER WATCH (from leagues played at CBSSports.com)
Five most added:
SP Aaron Laffey (+26% roster change)
SP Bartolo Colon (+22%)
C Dioner Navarro (+21%)
OF Jayson Werth (+18%)
OF Jay Bruce (+17%)

Five most dropped (non-injured):
SP Randy Wolf (-17%)
SP Jonathan Sanchez (-15%)
SP Armando Galarraga (-15%)
RP Rafael Betancourt (-14%)
1B Eric Hinske (-10%)

GAMES PLAYED
Let's take a look at how many games each team will be playing this week:

American League
7: BAL, KC, MIN, TEX
6: BOS, CHW, CLE, DET, LAA, NYY, OAK, SEA, TB, TOR

National League
7: ATL, CIN, HOU, NYM, PHI, SD
6: ARI, CHC, COL, FLA, LAD, MIL, PIT, SF, STL, WAS

Fantasy Baseball alfonso soriano, george sherrill, andy pettitte, grady sizemore, roy oswalt, rafael furcal, alex rodriguez, chone figgins, jason isringhausen, clay buchholz, john smoltz, jorge posado, hank blalock, troy tulowitzki, c.c. sabathia, james shields, roy halladay, mike mussina, boof bonser, jake peavy, cole hamels, ted lilly, chad billingsley, mark hendrickson, aaron laffey, bartolo colon, dioner navarro, jayson werth, jay bruce, randy wolf, jonathan sanchez, armando galarraga, rafael betancourt, eric hinske