Rays' Maddon on playing at Fenway without playoff implications: 'Strange, awkward, annoying'
David Butler II / USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon doesn't seem particularly thrilled about playing meaningless baseball in late September:
Really strange, awkward, annoying to be here in Fenway without postseason implications. It's no fun.
— Joe Maddon (@RaysJoeMaddon) September 23, 2014
The Rays' skipper has been spoiled by postseason baseball in recent years, reaching the playoffs in four of the last seven seasons despite fielding a team that is routinely in the bottom third of the majors in payroll.
Entering Monday with a 75-81 record, Tampa Bay is on pace to finish with its first losing season since 2007.