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Shields, Rays make long-awaited playoff debut

Oct 2, 2008 - 10:08 AM American League Division Series Game One

Chi White Sox at Tampa Bay 2:35 p.m. EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago White Sox took different routes to the American League playoffs, but they ended up in the same place as they open their AL Division Series on Thursday.

While the Rays clinched their first playoff berth in franchise history with nine games remaining on the schedule, the 162-game docket was not enough to crown a champion in the AL Central.

After Chicago kept its season alive with a 5-1 victory against the Cleveland Indians on Sunday to remain one-half game behind the Minnesota Twins, it captured an 8-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers in its last regular-season game on Monday to set the stage for a one-game playoff with the Twins.

The White Sox emerged with a 1-0 victory and the division title on Tuesday thanks to eight two-hit innings from John Danks and a home run by veteran Jim Thome.

"I think when you pull off that last couple days, we faced three different ballclubs in different times, all kinds of crazy things happened, and did what we did, I think the players should be more relaxed right now," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.

While the White Sox took an unconventional trip to the division title, the Rays had 10 years of futility to overcome.

Tampa Bay dropped the "Devil" in the its nickname and the reputation of being the doormat in the AL East in 2008. After finishing in last place nine out of 10 seasons and losing at least 90 games in every season since joining the league in 1998, the Rays took the league by storm en route a 97-win season and the AL East crown.

"I want our guys to really step back and understand what they're doing and enjoy it," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I'm not just saying happy to be here, but really notice what's going around. I want them to enjoy it, because I want them to be here every year. And I want us to do this every year on a natural basis, everybody does. So treat it with the respect that it deserves, but also enjoy the moment."

Owners of one of the youngest rosters in baseball, the Rays turn to the 'veteran' of their starting staff, 26-year-old James Shields, in Game One. With a pair of 25-year-olds on the staff and two more starters at the ripe young age of 24, Shields (14-8, 3.56) is the senior member of a group that ranked second in the American League with a starters' ERA of 3.95.

The righthander has been superb at home, posting a 9-2 record and a 2.59 ERA in 17 starts at Tropicana Field. In a May 30 start against the White Sox, Shields allowed one run and seven hits over six innings while striking out and walking one.

Shields takes on a lineup of heavy hitters that led baseball with 235 home runs.

"Almost 50 percent of their runs come by the home run. So you really have to be careful," Maddon said. "You have to have a really well-laid out plan pitching wise."

Carlos Quentin, who ranked second in the AL with 36 home runs, did so despite missing the last month after breaking his wrist while hitting his own bat. The injury forced him to be left off the ALDS roster.

Javier Vazquez (12-16, 4.67) will look to rebound from three straight dreadful outings. The righthander has lost his last three starts, posting a 13.50 ERA and surrendering four home runs.

Tampa Bay will welcome back Carl Crawford, who is scheduled to be in the starting lineup after being sidelined since August 9 with an injury to his right hand.