Rays have luxury of lead in making Kazmir-Shields decision

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BOSTON — The Rays are obviously in a good position, with a 3-1 lead and the chance to clinch a World Series berth on Thursday.

After Tuesday's game they were huddled to determine whom they wanted on the mound.

RHP James Shields has been the scheduled starter, but they were considering switching to LHP Scott Kazmir.

One theory seemed to be that with a 3-1 lead they'd switch to Kazmir, knowing Shields was still available for a potential Game 6 at home, where he pitches better. Another was that if they have the chance to finish off the Sox, they should use their most reliable pitcher.

Kazmir, who has struggled in two postseason starts, has pitched well in Fenway, 4-4, 3.02 even after one rough and one so-so outing this season. Moving him up would allow the Rays to use the bullpen freely if needed, with the benefit of a day off on Friday. And it would avoid having Kazmir work Game 6 with the plate staffed by umpire Derryl Cousins, whom he blasted after a June game. "That might be a good idea,'' Kazmir said.

Shields hasn't pitched well at Fenway, 0-3, 10.13 in three tries. And he has done extremely well at home this season, 9-2, 2.59, plus 1-1, 3.29 in the postseason.

UPTON UPRISING: CF B.J. Upton's left shoulder will still require surgery "soon after the season's over," but it's feeling better enough that he's able to take a full swing again, to pull the ball to leftfield again and to hit home runs again — five in his first 28 at-bats of the postseason. He is the first player, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, to hit at least five homers in the postseason after hitting fewer than 10 in the regular season; he had nine in 531 at-bats.

GOING DEEP: Evan Longoria hit his fifth postseason homer in the first, most by a rookie, and tied the ALCS mark with homers in three straight games (matching the Yankees' Bernie Williams in 2001); the LCS record is four by Gary Matthews (1983 Phillies) and Jeffrey Leonard (1987 Giants). … With 16 homers midway through their eighth game, the Rays matched the record for teams making postseason debuts. The 1995 Mariners hit 16 in 11 games.

CROWD CONTROL: Removing the tarps covering portions of the upper deck and putting some 5,700 more fans in Tropicana Field for any remaining ALCS and possible World Series games will lead to longer lines at the concessions and more crowded hallways and bathrooms.

Plus, some of the seats have obstructed views and are on benches and without backs.

The Rays initially resisted, saying the building "operates better" with a capacity of about 36,000, but decided, based on the intense demand for tickets and input from fans, that the tradeoff was worth it and they would benefit from the extra support.

"We had put the fan experience first," team president Matt Silverman said. "We decided that the priority is to allow as many people as possible to cheer on the Rays and be part of this special season."

Tickets for Game 6 will be sold starting at 5 today to those selected for the Internet presale through raysbaseball.com; winners will be notified by e-mail this morning.

Any remaining tickets will be sold to the public on raysbaseball.com starting at 9 a.m. Thursday. Details for Game 7 tickets have not been announced.

Registration for the chance to buy World Series tickets closes at 11:59 p.m. Thursday.

MISCELLANY: With Monday's victory, the Rays won three straight at Fenway for just the second time in franchise history and first since four in a row April 18-July 1, 1999. … The Rays will not work out today. … Longoria's two errors on a second-inning play were the Rays' first of the postseason.

Comments on this article

by Tom	Oct 15, 2008 7:36 PM
Tough call,I would go with Kaz. If he is out by the 4th inning in Gm 6, our bullpen will be TRASHED for Gm 7. It's a 7 game series-you can't assume the Red Sox are just going to fold in game 5. Price will be ready, he's thrown 15 pitches total

by Neb	Oct 15, 2008 7:35 PM
The goal in a best of 7 is to win 4, Shields gives the Rays the best chance to do so. Kazmir should not even be in the rotation for the ALCS! Shields throws in game 5, Rays celebrate at Fenway!

by Ken	Oct 15, 2008 7:35 PM
The smart call would be Kaz game 5, Shields game 6. I think Kaz has his best start of the postseason so far, and if he doesn't, we'd better have Shields-Sonny for games 6-7 back at the Trop. Shields is night-and-day starting at home vs. the road.

by Dave	Oct 15, 2008 7:17 PM
Steady as she goes faithful Rays fans, we REALLY DO HAVE THE TEAM!!!!! GO KAZ ---- LET HER RIP!!!!!!

by Scot	Oct 15, 2008 7:05 PM
I think the Rays should go with Kazmier in game 5,giving them Shields and Garza for games 6 and 7 if needed,I do think that the Rays should open up all available seats in the upper deck to allow as many fans as possable to enjoy and experience this.

by olin	Oct 15, 2008 1:29 PM
....Kaz, save Sheilds.

by mo	Oct 15, 2008 1:28 PM
something is obviously been wrong w/ kaz and his elbow, I just hope joe has a quick leash ready

by Robin	Oct 15, 2008 1:28 PM
Let Scott pitch. I agree, he has been iffy at best, but he does have a good record up there. Let's save Shield's arm for the 1st World Series game. I'm proud of those guys and trust Coach's judgment.

by Ben	Oct 15, 2008 1:27 PM
I believe in the team and the decisions made by the team. Kaz was assigned the job because he can do the job. BRING THE HEAT KAZ! Go after them and get it done! Go Rays!!!

by David	Oct 15, 2008 11:46 AM
I think it would be a good idea to support whatever decision Joe makes on this one. He has been pretty good so far. <chuckle>

by ws	Oct 15, 2008 11:42 AM
Kaz will show up, and he'll bring the gas. Go Rays in 5!

by Fuber	Oct 15, 2008 11:42 AM
Madden says Kazmir. Please Please Please don't let him get rocked and momentum shifts to Boston.

by Michael	Oct 15, 2008 11:40 AM
Kaz is a nightmare this year, I would like to see Shields pitch and continue the pressure and end this Thursday.

by Aaron	Oct 15, 2008 11:40 AM
Neb how would the ALCS already be over if Jackson was pitching instead of Kaz. Kaz started game 2 of the series, he did not have a decision, but the Rays won the game. Shields pitched a great game and lost game 1. Kaz had nothing to do w/ the loss

by Dave	Oct 15, 2008 10:54 AM
I thought it was a no brainer for Shields, but when you look at it, Kaz may be the better choice. He'd be on 4 days rest, he has better numbers at Fenway, and it leaves us Shields for either WS Game 1/ALCS Game 6 at the Trop. Happy either way here.

by Neb	Oct 15, 2008 9:41 AM
The goal in a 7 game series is to win 4 games, Shields gives the Rays the best chance to do so. Kazmir has been unreliable at best, if he had not been in the starting rotation & Jackson was the ALCS would already be over, Rays resting for the WS!

by Ernie	Oct 15, 2008 9:32 AM
Roll with the flow. I'd go with Shields for game 5 even though he's 0-3 at Fenway Park this year. Live for today. Get this series completed asap! The way this team is playing, there won't be a game 6.

by Scott	Oct 15, 2008 9:18 AM
All i gotta say is, "Who Are These Guys???" Who knows when we'll come down this path again, so enjoy the ride, support OUR Rays, fame is but a fleeting moment, but there's something to be said for a small-town team filled with character(s)! GO RAYS!

by Andrew	Oct 15, 2008 9:18 AM
You gotta go for the jugular and throw Shields. Kick the dog when it's down and do not give the Sox any confidence. I don't think historical stats have any relevance here. The Sox are stunned and Shields confidence is high.

by Kevin	Oct 15, 2008 9:17 AM
I think you have to go with Kaz. That way you can have Shields for either game 6 or game one of the world series. I would just make sure that Price is ready for game 5. I think this would be a confidence booster for Kaz if he can dominate for the WS