Shields, Kazmir to start

Manager Joe Maddon said James Shields will start Thursday's playoffs opener and Scott Kazmir will pitch Game 2 on Friday. Matt Garza will pitch Game 3 and Andy Sonnanstine Game 4. Edwin Jackson said he will not be on the roster.

Comments

[Joisey]

Game tomorrow final: Rays 5 Sox 2. Go Rays! What position is Benny gonna play? He should play-he could be used as D.H.

[Helene]

If the report is true, I would understand the decision to sit EJ, but I wouldn't really agree with it. As a previous commenter pointed out, it would be nice to have Edwin available as a long reliever if one of our starters gets knocked around in the early innnings. Assuming he makes the team, Price is going to be playing that role, I guess, but I'd be more comfortable with EJ. I'd like to see him on the roster for sentimental "he's earned it" reasons too, I admit.

[harold]

I hate that anybody on the staff all year cant be on the playoff roster. It tough that these guys that have all contributed cant play but thats a good problem. It means that the team is talent rich.Its true that Edwin is up or down but so is Garza. Edwin is either on the money or in lala land. Sonny gives up four to five runs early then settles down. It think (hope)Joe will have Kaz and Garza on a short leash. I think Percy is going to be too valuable in the pen to leave off. His influence on the young pitchers is well documented

[Carl]

CATWALK CATHY: Can we stop with the "moron" stuff? People are giving their opinion. It doesn't make them stupid, a moron or an idiot. It simply means their opinion is different from yours. Let's all get on the same page here and support the Rays. Save the insults for the Red Sox and Yankees.

[Tom]

I agree Razzle, that Kaz has had problems but he's also been good and in the playoffs I just expect him to man up. We'll see.

EJ got wins down the stretch with lots of support Andy did not get that support. I'll take the strike thrower over the head case anytime.

Go Rays.

Chicago coming to town .. this is gonna be special

As long as Price is on the roster.. Hes gonna be clutch when we need an inning or two in the six/seventh

[Porchdog]

E-Jak should be on ALDS for possible long relief. Scratch Percy & thank him for his leadership from Feb. til now. Tampa Bay wouldn't be in playoffs had he not been a Ray in 2008!

[russ]

Percival won't be the closer. Mop up guy.

[Dr. Voodoo]

Percival dolls will be given to first 36000 fans arriving at the park on thursday. club officials caution not to use more than the two dozen stick pins that come with the doll. hickey says if he goes more than 24 pitches, were in deep doodoo. also, due to a manufacturers defect the dolls have been provided at deep discount to the club since the manufacturer thought they wanted him to be produced with two left arms and one leg shorter than the other. this might explain some of the recent fan frustration.

[Razzlegator]

Tom,
I guess I shouldn't have watched Kid K's last few starts, that way my confidence would be way up.

[Catwalk Cathy]

The problem, moron, is that Edwin is better than at least one other starter and over the last month has been pitching very well. You're examples are very selective. I agree with the poster who said Sonnie is a joke.

[Go Rays Go]

I guess that means the starters on the playoff roster won seven of their last 30 starts. Ouch!!!

[Jay]

EJ folded like a cheap suit when the pressure was on..... did it down the stretch....in New York looked like a deer in headlights, gave up a bunch in Baltimore and the only reason we went into extra innings vs. Detroit is because he gave up a bomb to force extra innings. What's the problem?

[Philip]

How could we have Jason Hammel on playoff roster.

[Bob Ray Jay]

Interesting points. For the record, the regular starters' number of wins in their last 7 starts:

Jackson-4
Shields-3
Kazmir-3
Garza-1
Sonanstine-0

The fact that the starters could win only 11 of their last 37 games (Price and Talbot got no decisions) is real cause for worry.

Maddon announced the postseason starting rotation today, per this article posted today 9/30 at 5:45 PM: http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080930&content_id=3575936&vkey=news_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb

"Maddon said Sonnanstine's strike-throwing ability proved to be a deciding factor for chosing him over Jackson." Good decision on the starting rotation. Would have liked to see Jackson in the bullpen instead of Percival though. Percival's playing days are over, but he could make a decent pitching coach.

[Tom]

Good confidence there Razzle, Kaz will be just fine. He's been up and down this year and he knows it but he's a great pitcher and things are just going to go the Rays way this postseason...Right?

I have more faith in Andy than Edwin at this point but find it hard to stomach a guy with the contributions of EJ not making the team especially with the cloud hanging over Percy.

Go Rays!!!

[Razzlegator]

David Price in for Kid K once he gets shelled; or reaches 100 pitches. Either way, that's 4, 5 innings at best. Mark my words.
Anyone know what time they open the gates on Thurs.?

[Caleb]

Oh, and two of Sonnanstine's last 7 starts game against the Bowstone Sawks. In both games he pitched absolute gems yet the offense didn't get the win till after he left. In one of the games he left with a tie I do believe and the other was 1-0.

[Caleb]

Everyone stop getting your panties up in a bunch. We can all point and laugh at the drunk geezer known as Troy Percival when he is out for the rest of the playoffs after pitching terrible in the ALDS. Believe me, Percival will screw this up as he has time and time again.

You'll see Edwin in the ALCS and World Series, count on it.

[Jaye Sadsack]

I tend to agree with the Jackson-Sonanstine comparison. Edwin won 4 of his last seven starts; Sonnie won 0 of 7. Don't quite understand this one.

[badcalljoe]

Funny stuff. Sonanstine is the worst pitcher by far on the roster. He throws like a Brownie. He won't get 13 total wins in the rest of his major league career. What a joke!!!!

[Amanda]

James-
Maddon confirmed the four starters, that's it. There was a possibility Jackson would still make the roster by working out of the bullpen.

[James]

So Joe says these four gys will start but you had to go to E-Jack to get the info on him? un-believable.

It's on the Rays web site

http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080930&content_id=3575682&vkey=news_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb

[Mark]

Edwin Jackson is not Bob Gibson!!! Bob Gibson had a pair. The way he throws the ball and challenges the hitters sometimes he's barely Latoya Jackson.
He needs to learn how to pitch and not just throw!

[rayalan]

All you need to do is look at Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and even Bob Gibsons' first two years to see what is in store for Mr Jackson. Maddon believes in what he can be in the relatively short term future. There is no way he is going anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just look at the progression from last year to this!!

[Tim McCarver]

Jackson mentioned in the same breath as Bob Gibson??? That's a joke!!!

[mm]

So when Price is a starter next where will Jackson end up?

[jake]

come on guys..Jax did a good job this season, but this is the playoffs. we need to think about winning and winning quick..only best of 5 remember. it is smart to keep him off. we cant take the chance right now. i think next year, once he can control his fastball, he will be great. good move, maddon.

[Natural Hawk]

Jackson should never seen the field again as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.

[Save Edwin Jackson]

Edwin deserves to stay unless, and only unless, Percival has surgery scheduled for the same week Rays play the league series with Angels and Edwin gets pulled back.

I approved this message.

Signed, The campaign to save Edwin Jackson.

[Solomon]

Who says that this is factual?
Is the final roster in?
Did Maddon hold a press conference today?
Subjective here say.
Post a link if you have the press conference recorded.

Jackson is a quality pitcher. Don't give up on a guy who can throw 98-99 mph and has a loose arm.
Remember Bob Gibson? Jackson is a year or two away...

[9equals8.com]

EJ out means Price is in (and Percy is likely in as well). I think this is the right call, but I feel for EJ since he's been a huge part of this team's success in 2008. He should not feel bad about this decision. EJ has shown he is a solid starter, but not a reliever (and that's not a knock because lots of great pitchers cannot do both well). The Rays have 5 very good starters (best 5-man in MLB, I believe) and only need 4 to pitch in the post season (and Sonny has clearly outpitched EJ down the stretch). While Sonny will pitch game 4, if they Rays find themselves down 2-1 going into that game, they have the option to bring Shields back on 3 days rest (and would probably do so, in my opinion). Thus, the Rays have a fresh Sonny if they are leading 2-1 and a short rest Shields if they are down 2-1. I don't see a scenario where they would use EJ, so he is not on the ALDS team. Actually, it makes a lot of sense to me. But, THANK YOU, EJ - the team would not be where it is without you, so hold your head high.

[Solomon]

The final roster is not due until Thursday, yes?

This appears as here say...Did Maddon say EJ is out?