As the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim rest and relax after clincing the AL West with three weeks left in the season and the Minnesota Twins battle the Chicago White Sox to see which one wants to least lose the Central, the Tampa Bay Rays quietly sustain their lead in the East.

They lost their second in a row today but maintain a one game lead over Boston. I’ve become a closet fan of the Rays this season as they’ve finally gotten some results from a change in strategy, their commitment a few years back to building through their minor league system.

While I’d like to see Tampa Bay win the East it appears as though they’ll make the playoffs either way this year. Even if they somehow slip in the season’s final two weeks, however, this is a team that is build for a sustained run of solid, solid seasons.

First of all, the pitching staff should stay fantastic. Matt Garza, 24, joined Scott Kazmir, 24, and James Shields, 26, to give the team a great young trio of arms. Kazmir ultimately could end up being traded before he reaches free agency for a ransom in return, but even if that happens, it’s entirely possible the best pitcher in the organization two or three years from now might have just made his debut today.

David Price, the 23-year-old top draft choice in 2007, entered the Rays’ 8-4 loss to the New York Yankees today, pitching 5.1 innings of solid relief. Add Evan Longoria, a rookie-of-the-year candidate this year, and other veteran-but-still-young talents such as Dioner Navarro and BJ Upton, and a top-notch pitching staff should be complemented nicely by a solid offense.

There are still weak spots. Upton has shown a lack of maturity at times, getting benched twice for not hustling. A bullpen anchored by Troy Percival can be solid but is always going to be a risk at this stage of his career. In the short-term, adding Chad Bradford helps get to through the late innings, but in the long run, the team could improve there. Carlos Pena had a great 2007 but has been up and down in 2008 – and for his entire career.

But while the New York Yankees prepare for an offseason of dramatic reloading via free agency and trade, for the first time in team history the Rays are tweaks, not overhauls, away from being a great team that is ready to contend again – and perhaps defend its first division title or more – during the 2009 Major League Baseball season. This should be a fun team to watch.