Tampa Bay vs Texas

[craig01]

It'll be Price against Lee in game 1.

The way the Rays have been hitting, this looks like a potential no-no for Lee.

[craig01]

Maddon has named James Shields as the starter in game 2, Garza in game 3, and Davis in game 4.

Scary

[Diehardmagicfan]

Is Longoria going to play? Because if he is not in the lineup then a no-no is very likely. Hopefully Price can match him and Josh Hamilton is still hurting from his rib injury.

I honestly cannot stand James Shields. The other team is guaranteed at least 2 runs it is all about if he can just stop it there. I would prefer Garza to start game 3, I think Garza can show up for the big games. But whatever I hope the Rays can get out of this series quickly.

[craig01]

Longoria was able to play about a week ago.

He'll definitely be in the lineup.

Rays are 3-0 against Lee this year. Lee struggled in the late innings vs the Rays.

However, Lee has been superb the last month of the season with an ERA about 1.90 for September.

[craig01]

BTW= I am curious as to the reasoning for the Rays to be hosting "both" games in the early afternoons.

I can already hear the media bashing beginning.....

[craig01]

BTW= I am curious as to the reasoning for the Rays to be hosting "both" games in the early afternoons.

I can already hear the media bashing beginning.....

[craig01]

Cliff Lee shuts down the Rays in game one.

Price wasn't sharp.

Rays had bases loaded and one out in the first, and in the second had a runner on second with no outs....and failed to score. Typical of the season.

Defensively, 2 errors were out of character.

Shields goes today....and maybe he'll finally earn his moniker "big game James" . This match up against the Rangers does not bode well for a pitcher that continually makes HUGE mistakes with location.

[craig01]

Shields blows up in less than 5 innings, Qualls finishes the job as Rays lose 6-0.

Rays hit a few balls hard, but nothing falls.

K's are outta control, like they've been all year.

Spirit looks gone.........but it ain't over.

Yet.

[Diehardmagicfan]

huh they look exactly like they did for the majority of the year. I really don't expect the rays to make a comeback and if they do great but honestly i do not think the rays have good and constant enough players to win this series. They might win a game but that is about it.

If they prove me wrong that would be great but i doubt it.

[craig01]

This is a very resilient team.

While I certainly am expecting to be swept, this team has shown the ability to grind things out over and over again.

[craig01]

Not off to a good start, down 1-0 in the third.

I will not lose faith......

[Diehardmagicfan]

well they won still not optimistic about winning the series but hey at least the rays are starting to make it a slightly interesting series. Is Wade Davis starting next game?

[craig01]

Yes, Davis gets the start today against Tommy Hunter.

Both pitchers are at times dominant, and other times a train wreck.

The question today is....have the Rays bats come out of their 3 week slump? If not, HUnter will have an easy time.....if so, the Rays will win again....and again.

[craig01]

Rays take game 4, Davis was solid, offense breaks out for 12 hits, bullpen does it's job, LOngoria and Pena were both productive......for a change.

Game 5 pits Lee against Price.

Should be a classic.

[Diehardmagicfan]

Rays are definitely proving me wrong and i love it.

[craig01]

Rays are definitely proving me wrong and i love it.

This team is resilient, and when they hit....they can be the most dominant team in baseball when you couple the multitude of strengths this team has. Speed, great roster deep defense, solid rotation, and a back end of the bullpen that is as good as there is in baseball.

It's when or if they hit however....

[craig01]

Rays are taking the tarps off and should be sold out. Attendance should be about 43K.

[craig01]

Rangers take game 5.

They earned it, and out pitched and out ran the Rays.

For some reason, the Rays just weren't focused with runners on base.