Tag: 2011 AL Playoffs- Devil Rays at Texas

The series is tied.

ST. PETERSBURG — Considering it’s the home of the Rays, Tropicana Field has been very hospitable to the Rangers.

All three Texas wins in last year’s American League Division Series came at the Trop, and on Monday, the Rangers and Rays continue this year’s ALDS here with the series tied at 1. But during Sunday’s workout day, about 24 hours ahead of Game 3’s scheduled 5 p.m. ET first pitch, the Rangers weren’t looking to the memory of last year for a boost.

snip

The Rays’ ace, Price makes his first start of this year’s postseason on Monday against Rangers right-hander Colby Lewis, who also gets the ball for the first time this October. Last year, Lewis went 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA in the Rangers’ run to the World Series, and was the only Texas starter to go undefeated in the playoffs. . . .

Price’s ERA in six September starts was 4.01.

snip

Despite Texas’ success at the Trop last year, the Rays are still looking at their home park as, well, just that. Not known for the largest attendance figures, Tropicana Field can still pack a wallop audibly when the stadium is filled.  

Frankly I don’t know why the networks swoon at the inferior substitute for Baseball that is designated hitter derby except for the fact it keeps aging but recognizable players around long after they should have decently retired and if you think I’m talking about the bats you are sadly mistaken because I am specifically talking about the steroid enhanced liar Roger Clemons (a Ranger).  I hope he never makes the Hall of Fame because he’s a cheater just like Barry Bonds and Pete Rose.

Yesterday’s 9 – 0 rout of the Rangers by the Devil Rays’ 8th best pitcher, 2 weeks up from the minors in his second ever Major League start, was the only bright spot in a long day of frustration.  I can only hope for similar amusement tonight and a swift exit for the Bush league ball club.

Gives them time to rest up for the Yankees.

Speaking of, when we left the most hated team in America they were tied with the Tigers at 1 – 1 coming to bat in the bottom of the second.  All the breathless speculation about whether their aces Sabathia and Verlander will return to the mound with 25 and 27 pitches respectively is stupid because they are highly unlikely to complete even 3 or 4 more innings tonight with heavy intermittent rain forcast.

I don’t know what that will do to the schedule and if Bud Selig is doing anything except hoping for the best I’d be completely surprised given his general level of incompetant idiocy.

If they play I’ll post updates in this thread.  I suspect instead it will be a washout and we will resume tomorrow at 3 on TNT.  Rangers/Rays will start at 7 pm also on TNT.