If pitching is contagious, as many in baseball claim, the Tampa Bay Rays have an epidemic on their hands. Manager Kevin Cash and his red-hot pitching staff will begin a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays with the series opener Friday night in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Aranda has started five straight games and 12 of the Rays' last 14 contests. He's played primarily at first base but has also made three starts at second base-- including Friday night. Since Aranda has gotten regular playing time,

The final weeks of a season that is ending short of the playoffs can be a drag for some players. But for those who haven’t previously had much of an opportunity in the big leagues, the late September games can provide a chance to establish themselves as potential key pieces for the next season or create trade interest.