By John Donovan, SI.com
The next thing that Rays manager Joe Maddon does wrong this postseason will be the first thing he does wrong. So who's going to argue that bypassing his best starting pitcher, "Big Game" James Shields, for the erratic Scott Kazmir in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday -- a possible clinching game, mind you -- is the wrong one?
Don't look at me. Seems like the perfect move from here.
On the surface, holding back your best pitcher in a game that could send the Rays to the World Series seems risky. You don't want to play around too much here. You don't want to get too fancy with the strategy. "We're not looking to give them any kind of crack," Maddon insisted on Wednesday, the day after his team took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven ALCS against Boston.
But here's the deal: Maddon, a refreshingly unconventional sort in the first place, did not come up with this on a whim. Unconventional does not mean off-the-cuff or impulsive. Maddon puts a lot of thought into everything he does, from his use of the bullpen to lineup changes to the inspirational quotes he lays on his players. He talked with his staff about this before the ALCS began. He talked with the pitchers about it a few days ago.
Among the many thoughts running through Maddon's mohawked head are these: Kazmir, though it took him 98 pitches to get through four-and-one-third innings in Game 2, is healthy. He's been, at times this year, ace-like. He pitches well at Fenway Park (a career 3.02 ERA over 11 starts). He's motivated to make up for that Game 2 stinker. And, even if he falters, the Rays' bullpen is relatively fresh after a couple of wipeouts in Games 3 and 4 of the ALCS. If the Rays lose and are forced back to Tampa Bay for a Game 6 on Saturday, the bullpen would have an extra day off on Friday.
Even if that happens, that still leaves Shields to pitch Game 6, back in St. Petersburg, where he is much more comfortable (a 3.25 ERA in 42 starts, vs. a 10.12 ERA in three bad starts at Fenway).
"Trying to just manage the whole situation," Maddon said.
And doing it brilliantly, too.
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Comments (24) Add A Comment
I think this is a good move. With a two-game cushion on the BoSox, why not save your best pitcher for when he's best: at home. And although Kazmir hasn't been great lately, he's a great pitcher who will give the Rays a chance to clinch the AL pennant in Game 5.
Both Kazmir and Shields are available for request on the new website OneSeason, where you can trade virtual shares in your favorite sports players, teams and leagues for market based returns.
IVSPORT
San Francisco , CA
Total Comments (19)
I have learned these playoffs to never, under any circumstance, think that I can do a better job than Joe Maddon.
Redwing19: MARCH…
Ottawa, ON
Total Comments (3158)
Yup, I agree with IVSPORT. You're up 3-1 with 2 home games left just in case. Give Kazmir a shot. Worst case scenario you have Shields and Garza go in 6 and 7 at home.
JB827
Fair Lawn, NJ
Total Comments (74)
Fine by me! It'll be nice to play home run derby in Fenway before heading back to the Trop.
Hoos Your Daddy
Total Comments (31)
I don't think Boston can do it, but if the Red Sox do manage to win game 5, Maddon's decision means that a well-rested Shields is available for Game 6 and an almost certain clincher win in the Trop.
But I still think the Rays will win Game 5.
billso
Honolulu , HI
Total Comments (66)
Why would you even give the red sox a fighting chance?? It was only a season ago that the Red Sox came back from a 3-0 deficit to the Indians to clinch the pennant. If Timlin doesn't pitch game 2 the sox could be even with 2 apiece. Pitch sheilds now and end it.
Pedroia4Prez
Rumford , ME
Total Comments (2)
Grady Little loses game 7, the Red Sox let him go. Timlin loses all kinds of games, and I'm sure they'll resign him for another disastrous season... just trade him to damn AARP and be done with him.
Akuze
Total Comments (19)
One of the brightest and smartest coaches around today.
Grossedout9
Total Comments (3138)
Why did the Red Sox trade Manny Ramirez? He was the best pitcher they had! Wakefield was a teammate of Cy Young, fer Chrissake. The Sox need to purge themselves of the Metamucil Brigade in the offseason.
DuffPlunkett
Portland , ME
Total Comments (4)
As one Mr. Rodriguez from the Bronx can tell you...season awards are given out for your performance in the regular season, and not October. Maddon is most likely the manager of the year, and luckily for him, it won't be based on this decision. See you all in St. Pete on Saturday night.
Sox x 7 and counting
Norfolk , VA
Total Comments (5)
Its a great move! It's not like the Sox have come back from any large playoff holes before.
Voicesof1
Willimantic , CT
Total Comments (21)
I do not think it is over but admit Rays on dream season...I would however not count out Sox until it is over... uh.. Yanks?
drj0514
Total Comments (3907)
Maddon shouldn't be doing the Sox any favors. The Sox have beaten up on Kazmir this season, and if the win this game they are right back in this series going back to Tampa. Maddon has been a fantasic manager all year, I still can't believe we are talking about the Tampa Bay Rays being one game from the world series. However I don't see any reason to go away from what has given you such great success thus far in the post-season.
Bo-Sox Fan 86
Boston , MA
Total Comments (8)
It doesn't matter.....How can we function at all in a world where the Sillies are the National League Champions???
baseballpurist
Monroe Township , NJ
Total Comments (325)
I think it's a great move. Kaz is 4-4 in Fenway, with the aforementioned low threes ERA. Shields doesn't give the Rays the best chance to win this game, at this park. Kaz does. If Kaz stinks the joint out again, Howell and Balfour have two days rest, and Bradford even more rest. If Game 5 were at the Trop, this would be a moot point; Shields would be going. Maddon has had a Midas touch this year, and I for one trust him. I don't always understand his choices at the time he makes them, and I think he is on occasion *too* patient with a faltering starter, but on the whole he's been brilliant. The Sox won't be coming back this time. Last time they did, Manny and Lowell were responsible for 18 runs in the comback. Neither are there to help out anymore. Without Ortiz being hot, and with Dice-K's general inefficiency and high pitch counts, I think he's likely to be less of a factor than in his Game 1 gem. If the Rays hit him early, it'll never get back to the Trop.
Llarion
Saint Petersburg , FL
Total Comments (7)
Kazmir was 12-8, 3.48 ERA this year, not to mention his much better success rate at Fenway compared to Sheilds. It's not like Maddon is throwing the backup catcher out there to pitch. If that's what you call opening a door, the Sox will have to be pretty slick to get through it. If they can pull that off, then all they have to do shut down the Rays at the Trop and beat Sheilds and Garza. That's a tough road to hoe and a solid move by Maddon.
Babbee
Lutz , FL
Total Comments (2)
Joe Madden is THE MAN about now. If he says it's Kaz in Game #5, believe me, he knows why it makes the most sense for his club.
It would be sensational to see the Rays celebrate in the Fens tonight. Yes, their home crowd on Sat or Sun would love to see them win a Game 6 or 7 but winning on your opponents field is such a good feeling for the visiting club.
Joe Madden for President!!
mwr505
Albuquerque , NM
Total Comments (12)
Whoa!! Look at all the optimizm here! Reminds me of when the Sox were down 3-0 to the Yanks in '04. All they needed was a shift in the momentum. All they had to do was win one game and they had Pedro, Shilling and Lowe lined up. Could not ask for more. Rather than slam the door, Maddon is going to leave it cracked against Dice-K, Beckett and Lester. Yeah, things look bad, but as far as a pitching line up, Sox fans could not ask for more. Call Maddon a genius, but if the Sox come back, you all will be realizing he got a little too full of himself and pushed his luck too far by not slamming the door shut with Sheilds.
Boston, come from behinds in ALCS and Division Series in '86 (Angels), '90 (Indians), '00s (Oakland), '04 (Yanks), '07 (Indians). '08 (Rays)!!!
CrosePatsFan
Total Comments (14)
As Kevin Millar said in '04...."Better not let us win a game" You listening Maddon!!??
CrosePatsFan
Total Comments (14)
Joe Maddon for President? Well lets take a look at the criteria and all of the Maddon promises, shall we? Okay first he promised in Spring Training that Tampa Bay would be a solid team--CHECK, 2) He promised that this young team would be disciplined and listen to him-- CHECK, 3) He promised that the Rays would contend for a playoff spot-- CHECK, he promised to fill seats at Tropicana Field-- CH--Well three out of four aint bad. As far as this article goes. Maddon has not given me any reason to second guess him. Very well put that the next mistake will be his first mistake. For a rookie postseason manager he has done a helluva job.
HallOFamer3
Bloomington , IL
Total Comments (124)
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