HOUSTON -- When Tommy Pham addressed his teammates after the Rays' 5-1 win over the A’s in the American League Wild Card Game on Wednesday, he advised them to enjoy the celebration and encouraged them to continue “shocking some people.”

“We’re not the favorites, and it might be a good thing for us to continue to play with an edge,” Pham said. “But at the same time, we’re tired of hearing how we’re always the underdog. A lot of people like the underdog story, so why not us?”

The Rays have carried the "Why not us?" mentality throughout the entire season, and especially over the last month of the regular season. At the beginning of the season, Tampa Bay was pegged as the underdog behind the Red Sox and Yankees in the AL East. Even when the season was coming down to the final two weeks, many picked the Indians and A’s to come away with the two Wild Card spots.

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But as much as the Rays play the odds when it comes to sorting out the best matchups on the field, they seem to ignore that noise when it comes to off-the-field expectation.

“I think our group heard a lot about the Athletics and how good they are, and we’re just a really good team that nobody likes to talk about because of what we get paid,” Rays starter Blake Snell said. “But what we get paid doesn’t describe how talented we are.”

Now that the Rays have come away on top in the winner-take-all Wild Card Game, they’ll take the lowest payroll in baseball into an AL Division Series matchup against the Astros, starting Friday at Minute Maid Park. Houston has been the epitome of success over the past three seasons, capping it off with a World Series title in 2017. The Astros are heavy favorites to win the series, but the Rays -- as expected -- aren't listening to that outside noise.

“We match up with anybody because of our pitching and our defense,” Rays closer Emilio Pagán said. “And with the way we swung it [on Wednesday] and the way we swung it down the stretch, that’s scary for a team with the kind of pitching that we have.”

Snell said that it would be “disrespectful” to the Astros to claim that the Rays sported a better rotation due to the accolades the Houston starters have achieved. But Snell likes Tampa Bay's chances.

“Nothing but respect for those guys. They’re unbelievable,” Snell said. “But we’re definitely a very talented starting staff that believes in ourselves, and we feel like we can compete with them with our starters, and that’s always a fun challenge with that.”

The Rays will wear the underdog role during the series, but they seem to be up for the challenge.

“It’s going to be a great test for us to see where we’re at as an organization and as a team,” Pagán said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Sogard takes the field
Eric Sogard hasn’t played since Sept. 15 because of a deep bone bruise in his right foot, but the Rays' infielder could make it back in time to be on the active roster for the ALDS against the Astros.

Sogard has been taking batting practice and went through infield drills on Thursday as manager Kevin Cash and general manager Erik Neander watched. Sogard is hoping he can show them enough to be on the 25-man roster, which is due at noon ET on Friday.

“It’s been tough not being able to contribute these last couple weeks along with the Wild Card Game,” Sogard said. “I want to be out there more than anything. The training staff and I are both doing everything we possibly can to get me ready. I’m positive -- I’m pretty sure that I’ll be able to get out there. Today is going to be a good test for that.”

Sogard would give the Rays another left-handed hitting option, which would be welcome against Astros starters Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Zack Greinke. The Rays carried nine infielders on Wednesday, but that number would seemingly decrease for the ALDS. If he’s healthy, Sogard remains among the group that could make the cut.

“I will certainly be checking on him,” Cash said. “He’s a guy that if he’s healthy and we decide it’s best, he might be an option.”