Game Day

It’s game day, game five of the ALDS returns to Tropicana field tonight as the Rangers take on the Rays, winner going to the ALCS to face the New York Yankees.

The Rays are sending their ace David Price, the hard throwing left-hander to the mound to try to win the series after falling in game one to Texas ace Cliff Lee, a precision pitcher that has made a living defeating some of the best teams in the biggest games.

The Rays have some lineup issues to deal with against the left hander. Kelly Shoppach will probably be back behind home plate, benching Jaso in this match up against the left hander. I hate this move, Shoppach hasn’t been hitting at all this year and has an average arm, Maddon should keep Jaso out there, even if he doesn’t like the numbers Jaso has against lefties, Shoppach just isn’t the right guy.

Another lineup move will be the addition of Carlos Pena who struggled all season against left handers and was bad for the first two games of the series. But Pena found his swing in Texas and has been red hot since being moved down to 7th in the lineup. Maddon really has no choice but to put him out there and hope he can still swing for power, especially with Aybar struggling so much (has been all season) and Rocco on the shelf with injury.