Rangers vs. Rays:

[orangecat1]

We get to find out first-hand about 3 days rest or not. Their game 1 starter, Shields, owned us in the regular season, but he pitched over 8 innings on Monday, so he has 3 days rest after pitching against the Yankees, I'm sure he threw a bunch of pitches. He also has 11 complete games, and this is the guy who throws a bunch of changeups, so maybe he doesn't run out of gas, who knows?

I feel great about C. J. throwing Friday, should be a great opening game, with the Rays coming off of their long night last night. This is our chance to jump on them early.

Man, the Rays didn't sleep last night, and now they're traveling today. They've got to come down to earth sometime.

Might as well come down to earth Friday afternoon. Put about a 4 of 5 spot on the board early.

 

[orangecat1]

here is Shields against the Yankees from Monday:

J Shields
(W, 16-12) 8.2 6 2 2 3 4 1 117-64 2.82

that's not a short outing for sure. If we can get to their bullpen before the 8th inning, we're in great shape, imo.

remember last night's game was 12 innings.

 

[FWHORN]

CJ threw 2 innings on Monday in basically a throwing night outing so he should be rested. Holland goes Saturday and Colby for game three. Rangers are 9-1 in last ten and won 14 of 16 to finish season so the streaking team is Texas. Its not like the Rays won a bunch of games to get in, they were 6-4 in their last ten, its just that Boston was worse.

 

[OUEngineer]

I wonder why Harrison isn't going in Game 3. Colby has had a tough year (compared to 2010), but I guess Wash doesn't want to throw 3 lefties in a row? I'd be more worried if it were the RedSox or Yanks, given Colby's propensity to give up the long ball, but with the Rays, I'm not in panic mode.

The key to the series is to play solid, fundamental ball and make the Rays earn their runs. Our defense has been much improved this last month, and it needs to remain so, given that runs may be at a premium versus Shields and Price. Who is their 3rd starter? It was Wade Davis in 2010, but it looks like Hellickson has been their #3 much of the year.

I love how the R's are playing right now (duh) so I'll say R's in 4. I would've preferred the Sox, even w/their great offense, but we got the Rays.

Let's finish what we started last season, boys and girls.

 

[Rayug]

I think they want Colby starting on the road since he has had more success there.

 

[orangecat1]

interesting, 103.3 was talking this afternoon, and they werent' convinced Tampa was going with Shields. But, they couldn't come up with anybody else.

imo, for Tampa to have any shot, they have to pitch Shields Fri. and hope it gets to game 5 and pitch him again, simply because he's a Ranger killer.

I don't see how you can wiat until Sat. to pitch him.