Mailbag: Marc Topkin answers your questions

Over the past few days, we asked you to send us questions for Rays beat reporter Marc Topkin related to the American League Championship Series. Here are the questions and answers: 

(Pictured above: The Rays pile on Grant Balfour after the ALDS-clinching win over the White Sox. Times photo -- Bruce Moyer.)

Q: Will Joe Maddon use a 3 man or a 4 man rotation for the ALCS? -- Ian

MARC: They are planning on using four, and for two primary reasons – they don’t want to start using their pitchers on short rest at this time of the year, and they won’t want to exclude Andy Sonnanstine, who has pitched very well against the Red Sox. That said, if they needed to use Sonnanstine in relief in Games 1 or 2, or if they felt there was a better matchup, they could also change things as the series evolves – for example, pitching Scott Kazmir in Game 5 at Fenway where he has done well (and on regular rest) rather than holding him back for Game 6.

Leave a question for Marc

Are you wondering how the Rays might change their lineup for the ALCS? Whether Troy Percival, Edwin Jackson or Shawn Riggans will return? How the players are handling the pressure of the postseason? How they match up with the Red Sox?

We want to hear from you. Leave us a question in the "Comments" area below, and Times beat reporter Marc Topkin will answer it. We'll post a full transcript Friday, before the opening game at Tropicana Field.

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Marc Topkin answers your questions

Over the past week, we solicited questions from you about the Rays, which we passed along to Times beat writer Marc Topkin. Here are the questions and answers, in preparation for today's playoff opener:

Q: Marc, Any idea if the Rays will be having a "Blue Out"? I had tried to get the idea of a "Paint Em Blue" going when we played Boston in July, but it just never seemed to catch on. I thought the Trop would look pretty cool if we all wore blue Rays gear. I also hope there is at least a cowbell giveaway, if blue shirts aren't handed out. -- Paul
    
MARC: Sounds like an interesting idea, but the Rays have made no such plans, at least not publicly. The White Sox did something similar the other night with a “Black Out,” and college football teams do it all the time. Maybe it’s something you could get started for Friday’s game.

Q: Can you explain why the ChiSox and Twins had to have a one-game playoff, while the Rays and BoSox would not have, if they finished with the same record? The Rays were going to be awarded first place based on more head-to-head wins against the BoSox, right? Why didn't the same thing apply for the Twins, who I believe had more head to head wins against the ChiSox? -- JDCMV

MARC: The difference is that both the Rays and the Red Sox had already qualified for the postseason, so since they both would be in anyway, they use the “paper” tiebreaker to determine seeding and who wins the division title. But since the White Sox and Twins were battling to get in, they had to play it out on the field.

Leave a question for Marc

Are you wondering about the Rays' postseason lineup? What their rotation or bullpen will look like? What role Carl Crawford might play? How they match up with their potential playoff opponents?

We want to hear from you. Leave us a question in the 'Comments' area below, and Times beat reporter Marc Topkin will answer it. We'll post a full transcript on Thursday, the day of the Rays' postseason opener.