Zobrist in lineup

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he was considering something different for his lineup tonight against Phillies lefthander Cole Hamels, and he did something different - starting switch-hitter Ben Zobrist in rightfield rather than Rocco Baldelli.

Zobrist, an infielder until being transformed into a utility man this season,  started one game in rightfield during the regular season (playing a total of seven innings), plus eight in left and three in center. Zobrist is a switch-hitter and will bat righthanded against Hamels; lefties have hit Hamels better.

"I have no concerns and actually our coaches feel very good about him being in the outfield,'' Maddon said.

The decision was based on how Zobrist, and DH Willy Aybar, match up with Phillies starter Cole Hamels. Maddon said that on Thursday, against Phillies RHP Brett Myers, he will start righthanded hitting Baldelli in rightfield and Cliff Floyd at DH.

"This is our best guess based on what we're observing with Hamels and Myers,'' Maddon said. "We hjust felt Willy and Zo-rilla matched up well against this guy today.''

One issue with starting Zobrist is that the Rays likely will have to keep him in the game, since he is the only true backup middle infielder they have.

Maddon also reiterated that David Price nor anyone else has been designated the closer, and that they will continue to use different pitchers in that role.

Otherwise, the lineup is as expected:
Iwamura, 2b
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Longoria, 3b
Crawford, lf
Aybar, dh
Navarro, c
Zobrist, rf
Bartlett, ss
Kazmir, p

PHILLIES
Rollins, ss
Werth, rf
Utley, 2b
Howard, 1b
Burrell, lf
Victorino, cf
Feliz, 3b
Coste, dh
Ruiz, c
Hamels, p

Comments

[Ryan]

Im happy with either Rocco or BenZo. But you better believe BenZo will take his power bat to the plate tonite, his stroke is just so pretty when he puts wood on the ball.

[Dave]

Woody,

You must be hittin your crack pipe again.

Baldelli should be in RF and use Zobrist as a late inning sub.

[Ryan]

The key to this game 1 is Scott Kazmir. Which Scott Kazmir shows up will determine if we win or lose. Theres almost no chance it will be a high scoring game with Cole Hamels on the mound, so we are gonna have to keep the score low. With the way our offense is hitting, i am confident that we will be able to score 3-4 runs, so if Kaz can pitch like he did in game 5 of the ALCS i feel very confident.

[rocky]

Gross has struggled at the plate and in the field so understand the move but why not Perez in right...he is the better defensive choice and would cause havoc on the base paths as Ruiz is weak throwing out runners.

Go Rays...

[Bob]

Thanks for the class Boston Dan. This will be a good rivalry over the next several years.

My guess is that Rocco took himself out - Hard to imagine the frustration that he is going through with this disorder. Loved the way he chased down that fly ball in game 7.

I like the Zobrist move. Not to bash Gabe, but he has had trouble in the field as well as behind the plate. Maybe he isn't 100%? Either way, I like the way our skipper is steering the ship.

[Boston Dan]

Good luck in the Series, I know you will well represent the American League. Have fun, no time like your first time. You guys were the better team and deserved the ALCS.
Boston Dan
We have some work to do in the off season and will get you next year.

[max]

Unbelievable to hear the bashing of Gross. That's truly pathetic. Gross has not hit well of late, but why the disrespectful bashing? And we wonder why our kids have no respect for anyone - just look at our "adults". Get a life, folks.

[Tom]

What? Are Rays fans trying to sound like Red Sox fans around here? Show some respect.

This should be a great series and I'm happy to see Ben in the line up as he hit three times in the ALCS and two were nearly homers.

I'm sick of the Gross bashing.

[BigRay]

I like Gross, sitting on the bench!
Something has happened to this guy. He can't catch the ball, can't throw it and can't hit it.

Zobrist is definitely a better choice.

In fact, Gross should have been dumped on the roster and replaced by Hinske

[Mark]

If there is any doubt about this move (though I don't think there really is since Gross hasn't had the same magic in the postseason as he did in the regular season) it would only be fitting if Zobrist would go ahead and "Walk it the F@*& off!" as I like to shout, and gave the Rays their first World Series win tonight, to make Joe Maddon continue to be viewed as a genius.

4 more wins, people. It sounds so easy, but I know it won't be.

[HG Pennypacker]

Go Rays!!

[Tim]

Leave it up to Joe , guys .. He has been money in the bank so far .. I can see "ZOE" yanking one down the line and over the short wall in left field tonight ..

[SavannahRay]

I am a huge Ray's fan and let me just say - The Phillies do not suck, they have a great team littered with MVP candidates and one of the best pitchers in baseball. Let's show a little class and some respect.

With that being said, I think that Zorilla is a great pick to start this game and there must be something in Joe's computer that says that Zo can hit Cole.

[CTJ]

Anybody but Gross, he can't catch, can't run, can't hit.

[Brian]

At least Gross i sout--he has been a miserable hitter in the playoffs. Also, for supposedly having an arm in RF, he made a couple terrible throws--playoff pressure too much for him?

What about Perez some--the kid did well down the stretch.

[mrbaseball]

woody,

Rocco had the go ahead RBI in game 7, I would have stuck w/ him but zobrist does have some pop in his bat

[Tim]

Philadelphia sux. Try playin in the AL East Philly...see where you get then....Go Rays!

[Duh]

What no Gabe Gross and his .06 BA in the playoffs?

[Woody]

FINALLY!!!!
We need Zobrist's bat tonight.
Now let's keep Gross and Baldelli on the bench all series!

[GO BLUE]

Where's Rocco?

[McSame]

Philly sucks!!!