With a 3-1 lead over Boston in the best of seven ALCS, the Rays have changed their pitching rotation and will start LHP Scott Kazmir in Game 5 on Thursday rather than James Shields.

Kazmir has pitched well at Fenway in the past, and Shields has not. Plus, the Rays would have the benefit of Friday's off-day if they have to go deep into the bullpen before a potential Game 6. Shields would start that game on Saturday at the Trop, where he has pitched very well.

"Being in the position we’re in, we like the idea of pitching (Kazmir) with the day off to follow and we also like the idea if it gets down to it that Shields pitches at home. And the fact that Kaz has had some success here,'' manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday morning at the team hotel. "It's our best call at this point. I know you could look at it a whole bunch of different ways.''

Maddon did say that if the Rays had lost on Tuesday and the series was 2-2, they would have pitched Shields in Game 5.  "Under those circumstances you have a chance to go back home and you'd be down by one game and you just feel at this particular juncture Shields has been more consistent,'' Maddon said.

Maddon said he, executive VP Andrew Friedman and pitching coach Jim Hickey have been talking about the possibility of the change since before the series started. The final decision was made late after Tuesday's game.

He said they like the way Kazmir has pitched at Fenway (4-4, 3.02), and acknowledged that Shields has struggled (0-3, 10.13).

Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer