ALDS Game One Review: Tampa Bay

David Price gave up more than three runs in only three of his 31 starts this season. He gave up five today in his first career postseason start. Two solo homers, Jeff Francoeur and Vladimir Guerrero doubles, and a Bengie Molina blooper to right field plated the runners, dirtying what otherwise could have been an impressive stat line that includes eight strikeouts and zero walks.

Clearly Price was not at his absolute best today, but a lot of credit should be given to Cliff Lee. He of great command showed it, going seven innings without allowing a walk and giving up only five hits. Ben Zobrist had two of those hits, which happened to be the only two of extra base variety. A third inning double and seventh inning homer represent the highlights of the Rays’ day. He also struck a ball hard off Neftali Feliz that went for an out. Zobrist hit the ball with more authority today than he had in a while. One has to wonder whether his back – which caused him to miss some time – is finally healthy or if those three at-bats were simply an aberration.

In the preview, I mentioned Carlos Pena’s struggles versus southpaws and sure enough they were evident throughout today’s game. Bryan Smith wrote this about the most notable aspect of Pena’s game (although he had some issues receiving the ball on defense as well):

It didn’t feel that way early, as Cliff Lee came out firing almost exclusively fastballs, keeping his plus (or plus-plus) cutter, curve and change all in his back pocket. It almost back-fired in the first, as Lee loaded the bases with one out and Carlos Pena at the plate. After falling behind in the count 2-1, Lee threw an inside fastball up and in. Home plate umpire Tim Welke looked as if he was going to call the pitch a ball, but after Carlos Pena argued that the pitch hit him, Welke called a foul tip strike. Rather than plating the game’s first run or at least gaining a 3-1 count, Pena fell behind 2-2, and would strike out on the seventh pitch of the at-bat.

Rocco Baldelli then came up and did the same in an even more meager manner. I don’t find myself awestruck by many of the Rays’ decisions, but the one to have Baldelli – who did not hit well at any level this season – on the postseason roster over Willy Aybar or Brad Hawpe seems questionable at best and a classic example of wishcasting at worst. Baldell is a great story, but not such a great player that he should be treated with blind loyalty.

The Rays will attempt to beat the Rangers’ other lefty starter tomorrow as they try to rally behind James Shields to avoid must win scenarios beginning in game three.