Fight Clubs

Sox, Rays ready to get it on this weekend

The Red Sox and Rays tangled in one of the more contentious brawls in the big leagues this season.

So it seems only fitting the two AL East Rivals will “Rumble in the Trop” starting tonight for the right to represent the American League in the World Series.

Jon Lester, Sean Casey and Coco Crisp all received suspensions for their parts in the June brawl that culminated with Crisp charging James Shields on the pitcher’s mound — but nearly every Sox player downplayed the notion of lingering enmity toward the Rays.

Crisp threw the wild, right-handed haymaker that touched off the fight, and he left the “brawl” door slightly ajar if the Rays come looking for another fight at the Fens.

“Anything can happen with any team at any time,” said Crisp. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the Devil Rays, you know, a team we already had issues with.

“During the playoffs you’re more into the game, so there’s a chance for somebody to take something wrong … but I doubt it,” added Crisp.

It’s doubtful there will be any punches thrown a la the 2003 Yankees/Sox melees, and it should instead be an evenly-matched nip-and-tuck ALCS between two remarkably similar teams.

The Rays finished second in the AL with a 3.82 ERA this season and feature a fearsome starting trio in Shields, Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza. Tampa’s collection of arms is every bit the equal of Boston’s combination of Daisuke Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett and Lester.

The Sox certainly have an edge in the closer category with growing postseason legend Jonathan Papelbon, but the Rays are solid with their collection of arms at the bullpen’s back end.

While sluggers like David Ortiz, Jason Bay, Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria should be factors in the series, it’s always wise to heed the captain’s words during the postseason.

“Like this team, their starting pitching is what makes them so solid: solid starting pitching and a solid bullpen,” said Jason Varitek. “That’s how you win in the long run, and when they weren’t swinging the bats they were still able to win games. That’s probably the same reason why both teams are sitting where they are.”