Sheilds not starting game, 5 Kazmir will

[Mikiemo83]

according to WEEI, according to ESPN, Joe Madden has made the switch in starting pitchers for game 5 of the ALCS

[SlumpBustR]

what was the rationale for this?

is Shields hurt? if not the only thing that comes to mind is Maddon wants to put pressure on his big-$alaried-just signed-a 4yr. extension-in April pitcher to close out the series like a big $$ boy should

or

if they don't steal this last Fenway game they go back a win at home on Saturday to give the bandwagoners a thrill & maybe sell out to 5/16ths-capacity in house in 2009 :D

[Mikiemo83]

one BS rumor is Kazmir and the unmp for game 6 had a big blow out and moving him gets him away from this distraction, or Shields could be a little sore, or he had Joe Morgan stop by and told him to play a hunch

[3 Point Stan]

Or maybe they're getting cocky and think they can close it out with Kazmir, dip into their BP in Game 5 a bit, but then get them a couple days rest before the series and holding out Shields for Game 1 of the WS.

I really HOPE that's the deal and that it bites them square in the arse.

[southcarolina]

Or maybe they're getting cocky and think they can close it out with Kazmir, dip into their BP in Game 5 a bit, but then get them a couple days rest before the series and holding out Shields for Game 1 of the WS.

I really HOPE that's the deal and that it bites them square in the arse.

This is what i think is happening. They are attempting to set up their WS pitching rotation.

[Mikiemo83]

This is what i think is happening. They are attempting to set up their WS pitching rotation.
thgat doesn't make much sense. there is plenty of time to wait and recover because the game will not start until teh 22nd

Gm 1 National League @ American League Wed Oct. 22 TBD FOX
Gm 2 National League @ American League Thu Oct. 23 TBD FOX
Gm 3 American League @ National League Sat Oct. 25 TBD FOX
Gm 4 American League @ National League Sun Oct. 26 TBD FOX
Gm 5* American League @ National League Mon Oct. 27 TBD FOX
Gm 6* National League @ American League Wed Oct. 29 TBD FOX
Gm 7* National League @ American League Thu Oct. 30 TBD FOX

[sleepyjean]

We're going to start Kazmir tomorrow," manager Joe Maddon said on Wednesday. "It's something we thought about since prior to this thing beginning. Being in the position we're in, we like the idea of pitching him with the day off to follow."

Maddon went on to express that Kazmir has had more success pitching at Fenway Park, while Shields has been very good at home. (????) WHO KNOW'S WHAT EVIL LURKS IN THE MINDS OF MANAGERS?

[sleepyjean]

We're going to start Kazmir tomorrow," manager Joe Maddon said on Wednesday. "It's something we thought about since prior to this thing beginning. Being in the position we're in, we like the idea of pitching him with the day off to follow."

Maddon went on to express that Kazmir has had more success pitching at Fenway Park, while Shields has been very good at home. (????) WHO KNOW'S WHAT EVIL LURKS IN THE MINDS OF MANAGERS? MORE......Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff October 15, 2008 10:22 AM

Another possible reason for the switch: The Rays may have wanted to avoid having Kazmir pitch with umpire Derryl Cousins behind the plate. Cousins is scheduled to call balls and strikes in Game 6, and there is a history between the umpire and Kazmir. Following a 6-2 loss to the Angels June 11 (http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ALA/ALA200806110.shtml) during which the Rays' lefthander questioned Cousins's strike zone, he accused the veteran umpire of making "makeup calls" in certain situations.
Here's a snippet of the TampaBay.com writeup from that game (http://blogs.tampabay.com/rays/2008/06/maddon-ejected.html):
Rays starter Scott Kazmir had several issues with home plate umpire Derryl Cousins after Wednesday's game . . . The game turned when Cousins called a close pitch ball four on Reggie Willits in the seventh inning Wednesday and Maicer Izturis followed with a two-run single that put the Angels ahead 3-2. "That was unbelievable, I'd never seen anything like that before,'' Kazmir said. "I never said anything like this about an umpire before but that was just a crucial part of the game and you just don't do that. Makeup calls or not makeup calls - call it when it's there, you know what I mean? You shouldn't change your strike zone because of the count. It doesn't make sense.'' >>>>>>> YOU MAY HAVE A POINT, MIKIE.<<<<<<<<<<< (http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/)

[southcarolina]

MORE......Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff October 15, 2008 10:22 AM

Another possible reason for the switch: The Rays may have wanted to avoid having Kazmir pitch with umpire Derryl Cousins behind the plate. Cousins is scheduled to call balls and strikes in Game 6, and there is a history between the umpire and Kazmir. Following a 6-2 loss to the Angels June 11 (http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ALA/ALA200806110.shtml) during which the Rays' lefthander questioned Cousins's strike zone, he accused the veteran umpire of making "makeup calls" in certain situations.
Here's a snippet of the TampaBay.com writeup from that game (http://blogs.tampabay.com/rays/2008/06/maddon-ejected.html):Rays starter Scott Kazmir had several issues with home plate umpire Derryl Cousins after Wednesday's game . . . The game turned when Cousins called a close pitch ball four on Reggie Willits in the seventh inning Wednesday and Maicer Izturis followed with a two-run single that put the Angels ahead 3-2. "That was unbelievable, I'd never seen anything like that before,'' Kazmir said. "I never said anything like this about an umpire before but that was just a crucial part of the game and you just don't do that. Makeup calls or not makeup calls - call it when it's there, you know what I mean? You shouldn't change your strike zone because of the count. It doesn't make sense.'' >>>>>>> YOU MAY HAVE A POINT, MIKIE.<<<<<<<<<<< (http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/)


Good. Now Cousins can squeeze Shields in Game 6 because of his punk friend Kazmir.

[stephenju]

Or Rays are really cocky and want to throw this game so they can clinch at home?

[BradyLady12]

if they don't steal this last Fenway game they go back a win at home on Saturday to give the bandwagoners a thrill & maybe sell out to 5/16ths-capacity in house in 2009 :D
Sounds good to me. Keeps the seats cheap! :banana:

The local sports radio here had a special on Sox fans yesterday. Boy! Oh boy!
You wouldn't have wanted to hear what was said. I keep trying to explain it's
the fightin' Irish not all Sox fans.

[3 Point Stan]

Sounds good to me. Keeps the seats cheap! :banana:

The local sports radio here had a special on Sox fans yesterday. Boy! Oh boy!
You wouldn't have wanted to hear what was said. I keep trying to explain it's
the fightin' Irish not all Sox fans.
I'm the first to say that since 2003 or so, the national perception of a typical RSN fan is a bit embarassing to me. And this goes beyond just "pink hats." Tons of dinks have hopped on the bandwagon.

[Ponder]

The main thing they were implying on TV last night was that Kazmir is either really good or really bad (I don't follow the Rays, so I don't know the history). If he happens to be really bad and has to come out in the third or fourth, having him start before an off day gives the bullpen a chance to recover.

Interesting, but I wonder what message that sends to Kazmir. "We're going to switch our whole series rotation around just in case you suck. "

[southcarolina]

Interesting, but I wonder what message that sends to Kazmir. "We're going to switch our whole series rotation around just in case you suck. "

I dont know, but you can ask Josh Beckett after Lester gets the nod for Game 6