PHILADELPHIA (AP) -When the phone rings in Tampa Bay’s bullpen, the call could be for anyone. That’s just fine with these ready-to-go Rays, thriving in October thanks to a flexible group of relievers.
Missing injured closer Troy Percival throughout the postseason, the American League champions have been forced to find unconventional ways to close out games. Relief roles aren’t strictly defined, and manager Joe Maddon likes to mix and match.
“Actually, it’s kind of a nice situation,” he said Friday. “I have faith in all of those guys.”
Maddon hasn’t hesitated to use left-hander J.P. Howell or hard-throwing righty Grant Balfour for multiple innings at a time. In Game 2 of the World Series against Philadelphia, veteran Dan Wheeler entered in the sixth and rookie David Price got the final seven outs of a 4-2 victory.
With Maddon using his atypical bullpen effectively, Tampa Bay was tied 1-all with the Phillies going into Game 3 on Saturday night.
the time,” Balfour said. “We just kind of go with the flow. We just kind of learn that that’s the way it is and that’s what we do. So we’ve become accustomed to it, I guess.”
Philadelphia has an outstanding bullpen of its own, featuring dominant closer Brad Lidge and regular setup man Ryan Madson.
Tampa Bay takes a more old-fashioned approach: Everyone be prepared for anything.
“I like that. I like being on my toes. That just adds excitement for me,” Howell said. “Closer by committee, I think that helps everybody.”
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FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES: Brad Lidge keeps a few teammates close by at all times. Right above his locker.
Sitting on the shelf atop his cubicle, next to a souvenir bottle of postseason bubbly, the All-Star closer has several figurines and bobbleheads of other Philadelphia Phillies players: Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Jamie Moyer.
All in their original packaging.
“I just have nowhere better to put ’em. Just proudly display my teammates in my locker,” Lidge said with a chuckle. “I’ll save a couple, and I have a lot of family members that love ’em. Younger cousins that enjoy ’em.”
Sure you don’t keep those things for yourself, Brad?
“Honestly, I wouldn’t say I collect ’em. But every once in a while, take one back and put it in the baseball memorabilia room,” he said.
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s cuts.
With the World Series shifting to Philadelphia for the next three games, National League rules apply and there will be no designated hitter in either team’s lineup.
That gives Kazmir and other Tampa Bay Rays pitchers a rare chance to hit – on baseball’s biggest stage, no less. They might not get much experience at the plate in the AL, but they sure sound eager to grab a bat.
Matt Garza is scheduled to start Game 3 on Saturday night, then Andy Sonnanstine gets the ball in Game 4. Kazmir, lined up to face Phillies ace Cole Hamels in Game 5, is 1-for-10 with one RBI in his big league career.
“Definitely looking forward to it. It’s going to be exciting,” Kazmir said with a smile. “Got a couple bats ready, lined up. It depends on what he’s giving me. If he’s giving me a lot of changeups I’ll just go to the Cliff Floyd model. If I’m getting a lot of heaters I’ll go to the Fernando (Perez).”
So, after preparing themselves with a couple of batting practice rounds recently, which of the Tampa Bay pitchers is the biggest threat to go deep?
“We all are,” Kazmir said. “We just had BP yesterday and I think every one of us hit at least one bomb.”
Even teammate Carl Crawford was impressed, but he thinks James Shields is the best hitter of the bunch. Shields isn’t slated to start any of the games in Philadelphia.
id. “It’s too bad Shields don’t get to hit because he’s probably the best hitter out of all of them. But they take a lot of pride in their hitting.”
And manager Joe Maddon might just let his pitchers take a few rips, even in bunt situations.
“Primarily they have to be able to bunt, even sometimes bunting with one out to move up a runner,” Maddon said. “But believe me, if I feel our pitcher can hit their pitcher, I’m not afraid to let them swing, either. Why not take a chance? They run into one, it could fall somewhere and we could get an extra base, an extra run. It depends on the situation.”
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CLEMENTE AWARD: Albert Pujols will be presented with the Roberto Clemente Award before Game 3 on Saturday, according to a schedule of events issued by the Phillies.
Nominated for the fifth time in six years, the St. Louis slugger has a charitable foundation and raises money to assist children with Down Syndrome.
The award is given annually to a major league player who combines community service with excellence on the field. Pujols also could win the NL MVP award for the second time in four years next month.
ce.
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AROUND THE HORN: Hall of Fame pitcher and former Phillies star Steve Carlton is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3. … The Phillies are 4-0 at Citizens Bank Park this postseason but 5-9 in home World Series games. They’ve lost five of the past six. … Philadelphia stranded 22 runners during the first two games.
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.
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