• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Rays-Indians Preview

May 25, 2009 - 12:13 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Tampa Bay (23-22) at Cleveland (17-27), 6:05 p.m. EDT

David Price will eventually be a big part of the Tampa Bay Rays' future, but for now he's just filling in.

Price will make his season debut for the Rays on Monday night when they try to end a 13-game road losing streak to the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a four-game set.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft out of Vanderbilt, Price was dominant at three minor league levels in 2008, going 12-1 with a 2.30 ERA before being called up on Sept. 13. He posted a 1.93 ERA in five appearances - with one start - before shining in the postseason for the Rays.

Price did not give up a hit over 2 1-3 innings in the AL championship series against Boston, including 1 1-3 innings in a Game 7 win. He finished with a 1.59 ERA in five postseason appearances.

The 23-year-old left-hander is getting the start because Scott Kazmir has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. This will be Price's first appearance against Cleveland (17-28).

Price went 1-4 with a 3.93 ERA in eight starts this season for Triple-A Durham. He was in the minors because the Rays wanted to limit his workload this year.

"He's a unique young man, and he thrives under this kind of situation," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I know he definitely feels like he belongs here, and those are the kind of things you want."

The Rays (23-23) haven't won in Cleveland since a 1-0 victory on Sept. 28, 2005. They were outscored 31-8 in a four-game series at Progressive Field last season from July 10-13.

Tampa Bay may have more confidence heading into this series after taking three of four at home against Cleveland from May 14-17. Carl Crawford and Jason Bartlett each went 5 for 13 in that series to lead the Rays.

The red-hot Bartlett is hitting .431 (25 for 58) with 19 RBIs in his last 16 games, but may not be in the lineup Monday since he is hitless in 15 career at-bats against Fausto Carmona (2-4, 5.74 ERA), who will start for the Indians.

Carmona is 2-1 with a 5.51 ERA in his career against Tampa Bay in four appearances, including three starts. He earned Cleveland's lone win over the Rays this year on May 14 by giving up five runs over 5 1-3 innings in an 11-7 victory.

The right-hander did not get a decision Wednesday when he allowed four runs over six innings in a 6-5 victory at Kansas City.

The Indians completed a disappointing 4-6 road trip with a 4-3 loss in 11 innings at Cincinnati on Sunday. Cleveland was 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

"The bullpen's done a good job lately," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. "The difference in this game was not getting the big hit."

Indians catcher Victor Martinez is a career .393 hitter against Tampa Bay for his highest average against any AL opponent. Martinez, hitless in his last 13 at-bats, went 9 for 17 in the series at Tropicana Field earlier this month.

Tampa Bay second baseman Akinori Iwamura hurt his left knee when he was hit while trying to turn a double play and was carted off the field in Sunday's 5-4 loss in 11 innings at Florida. He will undergo an MRI exam, and Willy Aybar is expected to start in his place.