Pressure is on Rays
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Pressure is on Rays
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Sitting here in the press box at Tropicana Field. The only action on the field right now are the various television crews filming their stand-ups and preparing their studio shows. The start of Game 2 is still five hours away. No line-ups yet, so it remains to be seen whether Charlie Manuel will go with Matt Stairs or Greg Dobbs at DH. There is a good chance he goes with Dobbs at 3B and Stairs at DH, but Pedro Feliz made a couple of nice plays defensively yesterday, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him stick with the better fielder at third.
The pitching match-up is an interesting one. Rays righthander James Shields versus Phillies righthander Brett Myers. Here are some key points to keep in mind as you watch the game.
1) I heard ESPN's Buster Olney describe Shields as a "right-handed Cole Hamels," referring to the change-up that Shields uses to bedevil opposing hitters. He also has a slider, a pitch that Ryan Howard has seen extensively throughout this postseason run. Howard is going to be a key in tonight's game. I expect the Rays to be very, very careful with Chase Utley, as you saw late in last night's game when they elected to intentionally walk Utley to get to Howard. Howard needs to find a way to handle Shields' off-speed stuff tonight.
2) If you put much stock in home/away splits, this match-up favors the Rays. Shields at the Trop this season was 9-2 with a 2.59 ERA. In 17 starts. He allowed just nine home runs at home. The Rays have lost two of his three starts this season, but the most recent one came at Fenway Park, where he allowed two of the three home runs he has allowed this postseason.
3) Neither team has much experience against the opposing pitcher, but don't be surprised to see the Rays insert Cliff Floyd into the line-up. Floyd is 12-for-33 with 3 HR and 8 RBI against him in his career.
4) The Phillies faced Shields a couple years ago. Other than that game, which the Rays won, Matt Stairs is the only Phillies with experience against him. Stairs is 3-for-22 with a home run and two RBI off of him.
5) The first inning could tell the tale tonight. Myers allowed 31 runs in the first inning during the regular season. Three of the seven runs he has allowed this postseason have come in the first two frames. A good start is imperative.
6) While the numbers may favor the Rays - the money line in Vegas is -150 the last time I checked - the immeasurables seem to benefit the Phillies. Tampa Bay knows it needs to win tonight to avoid heading back to Philly with a 2-0 deficit. If that happens, it is a brand new series. If the Phillies somehow take a two-game lead back to their three-game set at Citizens Bank Park, a parade all of the sudden becomes a probability.
good stuff dave - let us know when the lineups are set, going up 2-0 would be huge...LETS GO PHILS— bl303784- I agree, it's going to be tough for Charlie to sit Felix. He always goes with the hot hand. But two more lefties in the line up sounds pretty good to me against Shileds. Howard, in the other hand, needs to relax. He should not swing at any pitch around the knees, because that pitch most likely is going to be a slider or change up. I don't undertand why he keep swinging at the pitch. Rollins, too, has to be patient. Stay back and wait for your pitch.— EL Zorro
- I am so psyched my head could explode. I don't know how a guy like Myers will be able to keep his emotions in check, but who cares! GO PHILS!— Frank Lloyd Wrong
- Great info Dave, The Phillies played very well last night, just missing a few key hits and that game would have been won 7-2. Myers has to come out strong. A good start will set him up mentally for the rest of the game. Howard looked awful last night. He really needs to step up tonight and make the Rays pay if they challenge him. If we go home with a 2-0 lead it would be a beautiful thing. Let's go Phils.— GHOSTPHAYCE
- Way to go Dave.. I will be waiting for the lineup!! If Myers can bring the A game we know he can throw I can see the Phills taking the 2-0 lead. Let's hope the bats come alive a little more then last night and not strand that many runners on base!! Go Phills!!— Jbuzz
- Way to go Dave.. I will be waiting for the lineup!! If Myers can bring the A game we know he can throw I can see the Phills taking the 2-0 lead. Let's hope the bats come alive a little more then last night and not strand that many runners on base!! Go Phills!!— Jbuzz
Comment removed.- I love Dollar Dogs and I love the Phils!!!— Lunchboy
- Shut up about the stupid Phils. Go Obama!— MoKev
- Hey Dave, Any chance you could put a sock in Tim McCarver's mouth before the game starts! Tim is more of homer than the Ray's home radio announcer!!— DeTom
- David - Of course Floyd will be in the Rays' lineup - he's their LH designated hitter... As for the "probability of a parade" in Philly if we win Game 2, you're supposed to know what you're talking about! They play the games for a reason, that being "anything can happen." Finally, I think Myers will be able to focus on his pitching since he won't hit tonight - may be the best thing for him, but I do agree - he needs to start strong... Phils in 6! GO PHILS! PK— PhillyTheKid
- Going up 2-0 would be awesome, considering Jamie is pitching Saturday. I like the guy, but he's been getting pounded in the PO's..Then again, we can toss in Happ for a few innings if Jamie does get in trouble...then again, i think i should be more concerned about tonight...It was nice to see Pedro stepping up last night. We need all hands on deck for this to work.— tdoc
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- Not as big a believer in Myers' bloated home/road stats - I believe all stats with Myers this season should be evaluated from July 23 on (his first game back after the demotion to the minors). Prior to then he was a completely different pitcher. In 7 road starts since July 23, the Phillies went 4-3, with Myers posting a 4.09 ERA. Throw out that awful 10 run effort against the Marlins, and Myers posted a 2.25 ERA in 6 road starts to close the season. The question is, which Myers will show up - the one who held the Brewers to 2 runs in 7 IP or the one who surrendered 5 runs in 5 IP vs Dodgers? Incidentally, the Phils won both of those games, so maybe it won't even matter.— tjc
- Feliz had more hits last nite than Burrell and Howard and you wan't to sit him? You are crazy. DH Stairs.— nickj
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- I see some Tampa jerks have found their way onto the Philly boards. Soon, they will be singing a new tune: The Sounds of Silence.— jimqk
- Myers needs to be on his game tonight and in control of his emotions. Even Cole gives up 2 runs frequently - which goes to show that even with a great pitcher, you still need some offense. With a combination of Myers in control and Phillies doing a better job of clutch hitting, we should be ok. It's very important that we won w/our ace on the mound, and that we at least hit the ball - Not everyone's bat was cold last night. Speaking of cold, I hate the thought of playing in late fall temperatures this weekend. Just seems like it won't be as good of baseball. Let's go, Phils!— gbrettfan
- Phils win the World Series, Obama loses the election: A DREAM COME TRUE! GO PHILS!! GO MCCAIN/PALIN!!— bd1979
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- Werth is worthless. Nice job, two costly mistakes. We lose this game by leaving too many runners on base, once again.— jmargo23
- point 5 dave...hit that nail on the head...— oz
