Tampabay.com

OCTOBER 03, 2011

For starters, Rays vs. Rangers, seeking an edge

UPDATE, 4:41: Farnsworth said he is "definitely" available to pitch today.

Rangers lineup:
Kinsler 2b
Andrus ss
Hamilton lf
Young dh
Beltre 3b
Napoli c
Cruz rf
Moreland 1b
Gentry cf
Lewis p

UPDATE, 1:31: Rays lineup has Brignac at short. Also, Maddon said he thinks Farnsworth will be good to go today. As far as the Tuesday 2:07 start time, Maddon said it was not optimal nor surprising, but not a big deal either.

Rays lineup:
Jennings lf,
Upton cf,
Longoria 3b,
Joyce rf,
Damon dh,
Zobrist 2b,
Kotchman 1b,
Jaso c,
Brignac ss,
Price p

DEVELOPING: The Rays are prepping to host the Rangers today in Game 3 of the AL Division Series, with the winner taking a significant 2-1 edge in the best-of-five series.

The Rays will have lefty ace David Price on the mound, seeking to make amends for his winless September and trying to beat the Rangers for the first time. The Rangers will start RHP Colby Lewis, who is undefeated in the postseason and has never lost to the Rays, and is working on a streak of 13 consecutive innings against them.

One concern for the Rays is the condition of RHP Kyle Farnsworth's elbow. It has become an issue again, and he was unavailable to pitch Saturday, but manager Joe Maddon said Sunday he is "kind of encouraged" that Farnsworth would be available today.

The Rays lineup is expected to include lefty-hitting C John Jaso ahead of Kelly Shoppach. Maddon had not decided on Sunday whether to start Sean Rodriguez or Reid Brignac at shortstop.

The Rangers will use Mitch Moreland at first base, and Michael Young at DH.

 The Rays have lost their last three postseason games at the Trop; all to the Rangers in the division series last year.

 

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