Oct 15, 2008 - 12:41 PM
0 shoutsBOSTON (Ticker) -- Scott Kazmir will get the first crack to pitch the surprising Tampa Bay Rays into the World Series.
Kazmir will start Thursday's Game Five of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox, the Rays announced Wednesday.
Tampa Bay routed Boston, 13-4, on Tuesday to open a three-games-to-one lead in the ALCS. Wednesday is an off day in the series.
"I'm not really going to think about this win getting us to the World Series," Kazmir said. "I'm just going to try to have fun. This team is really loose. We're not even thinking about the World Series. We're just playing our game."
Kazmir has struggled this postseason, pitching to a 6.52 ERA in two starts. The lefthander allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings in the Rays' 9-8, 11-inning win over the Red Sox in Game Two.
"This young man is a tremendous talent," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "I've said it before. He can catch fire. There's nothing wrong with his arm."
Maddon also feels James Shields, who started Game One, pitches better at home and has pushed back the rotation so that the righthander will start a potential Game Six at Tropicana Field.
"We like the idea of Shields pitching at home, if necessary," Maddon said. "We had talked about this prior to the series ever starting."
Shields is 1-1 in the playoffs, beating the Chicago White Sox, 6-2, at home in Game One of the ALDS.
Shields took a 3-2 loss in the ALCS opener at Tropicana Field but pitched well, allowing just two runs in 7 1/3 innings. He has a 3.29 ERA in 13 2/3 innings this postseason.
Games Six and Seven of the ALCS would be played at Tampa Bay on Saturday and Sunday, if necessary.
"I'm going on five days' rest," Kazmir said. "We talked about making this change before, so it wasn't a surprise. It kind of worked out because it was on my fifth day."
In his Game Two outing, Kamzir was hurt by a slow start, giving up two runs in the first inning on a two-run double by Jason Bay.
"I think the key for me is to start off good and efficient," said Kazmir, who threw just 56 of 98 pitches for strikes in his previous start.
