Burrell batted .250 this season in 157 games, swatting 33 homers and driving in 86 runs. He has also gone 1-for-3 with a homer in three at-bats against Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee's Game 1 starter.
If Burrell can't play, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel will play either Matt Stairs or Geoff Jenkins in left field.Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Burrell tweaks back during practice
PHILADELPHIA -- Pat Burrell gingerly walked off the field, down the dugout steps and into the Phillies' clubhouse. This wasn't a good time for that. The Phillies announced on Tuesday afternoon that their starting left fielder felt discomfort in his lower back on a swing during batting practice. He'll be re-evaluated on Wednesday morning, prior to the 3 p.m. ET start of the National League Division Series between the Phillies and Brewers.
Shields takes pride in long outings
ST. PETERSBURG -- "Big Game" James Shields began the season on a high note, and when he starts for the Rays in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. ET on TBS against the White Sox, he'll take the ball with high hopes of starting the postseason on an equally high note.
Shields allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings in the opener against the Orioles, which is a typical outing for the Rays right-hander. He can always be counted on to go deep in the game -- even if things go poorly for him.
Take Shields' June 10 start at Anaheim. Shields surrendered six runs on 10 hits including two home runs, but he walked none and struck out nine. Yeah, he took the loss, but he pitched a complete game.
"I pride myself on being able to go deep into the game," Shields said. "You might have your best stuff maybe five or six times all year, so you have to learn how to pitch with what you have on those other 30 starts. You need to get your team to the late innings with a chance to win."
Recently, Rays manager Joe Maddon had Shields start the first game of the team's only two doubleheaders this season due to the sound logic that having him start the first game would ensure that the bullpen would be fresh for the second game. And Shields responded with wins at New York and Baltimore, going eight and seven innings and allowing two runs combined.
But Shields is more than a blue-collar pitcher. He can be nasty, which he showed in his two best starts of the season when he pitched shutouts against the Red Sox and Angels on April 27 and May 9, allowing two hits and one hit, respectively.
Save for a stretch when Shields went more than a month without a win (May 9 to June 25), he has been rock solid -- particularly down the stretch, winning five of his past six decisions. He has not lost since Aug. 26 against the Blue Jays. Dating to June 25, Shields has won 10 of his past 13 decisions.
Shields, by the numbersHere's how James Shields has fared at home, on the road, vs. the Twins and White Sox and in the postseason:Home, 2008: 9-2, 2.59, 17 startsRoad, 2008: 5-6, 4.87, 15 startsVs. White Sox, 2008: 0-0, 1.50, one startVs. White Sox, career: 0-1, 4.50, three startsPostseason, career: has not pitched in the postseasonDid You Know? Shields almost attended Louisiana State on a baseball scholarship.
Shields' best pitch always has been his changeup, but he also has a plus fastball and curve, and he's added a cutter that has helped him throw inside to left-handers. In the past he has gotten himself into ruts by relying on his changeup too much, allowing opposing hitters to sit on the pitch. Given his current toolbox of pitches, he now gives opposing hitters a lot to think about, and he believes in the importance of fastball command to set up all of his pitches.
For Shields, the playoff start would be the first of his career. But based on the manner in which he has handled challenges during his three years with the Rays, Shields is a good bet to perpetuate his nickname "Big Game" James.
With ALDS set, Rays ready for White Sox
ST. PETERSBURG -- Finally, the Rays know which team they will play in the American League Division Series beginning Thursday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field.
The White Sox defeated the Twins, 1-0, in a tiebreaker Tuesday night to win the AL Central crown, meaning the Rays will play a team they went 6-4 against in 2008, including a two-out-of-three series win in Chicago in late August.
"The White Sox are a quality baseball team with veteran leadership," Rays left-hander Trever Miller said. "Those guys have been to the postseason before. They've gone all the way and won a World Series. They know what it takes. The manager has been there before."
The White Sox lost Carlos Quentin to injury since the Rays last played them in Chicago, but Miller pointed out that the they still have a strong home run tandem in Ken Griffy, Jr. and Jim Thome.
"They have good left-handed hitters -- two guys on their team with 1,100 home runs in their career," Miller said.
Rays manager Joe Maddon also pointed to the White Sox's power.
"The White Sox to me, offensively, are similar to the Tigers in the sense that they want to hit the ball over the wall all the time," Maddon said. "Plus, the White Sox ballpark is a homer park. Pitching-staff wise, they always have good starting pitching. Bobby Jenks is still one of the best closers in the game."
Rays Rookie of the Year candidate Evan Longoria said he would have rather played the Twins.
"The White Sox are much more of a veteran club, much more of an experienced postseason club," Longoria said. "And they have patient big league hitters. Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye, I don't think Carlos Quentin is coming back, but Ken Griffey, Jr. You go up and down their lineup -- guys who have played a lot of years in the big leagues and know how to handle the pressure."
Ben Zobrist, who split American League Player of the Week honors with Hank Blalock of the Rangers for the final week of the season, noted the White Sox could be tough with their starting pitching. He also cited how the White Sox were erratic over the course of the 2008 season.
"With the White Sox, you are not really sure which team you are going to get," Zobrist said. "If they are on, the White Sox can be a dangerous team."
Zobrist felt like surviving the tiebreaker could build momentum for the White Sox.
"You never know," Zobrist said. "... Sometimes one team comes out of that feeling better or feeling a little bit hotter than they might have been at the end of their season."
One thing is for certain. With Ozzie Guillen managing the White Sox the games will always be interesting.
"It's going to be a really fun series to play," Rays catcher Dioner Navarro said. "Having Ozzie Guillen on the other side. ... He keeps it fun, which is good."
Miller concluded that the White Sox are going to be a challenge, yet he likes the Rays' chances at Tropicana Field, where they cobbled together the Major Leagues best home mark in 2008 at 57-24.
"We know going in they are not going to be easy to beat," Miller said. "But they also know that coming in here's not going to be easy. I love the fact we have home field advantage against these guys to maybe get two up on them before we go to Chicago. That would be nice."
Rays closing in on playoff roster
ST. PETERSBURG -- Reid Brignac had just 10 at-bats for the Rays this season, but it's possible he may be added to the club's postseason roster.
Brignac has been working out in the instructional league, and executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said on Monday that the Rays could activate Brignac if they decided they need more depth up the middle.
Brignac spent the majority of the season in Triple-A Durham, and suffered an injury on Aug. 6 when he was struck by a pitch and broke his left wrist. The young infielder played in Monday afternoon's instructional league game at Tropicana Field -- along with Carl Crawford -- and had an RBI single in the fourth inning.
Having a healthy Brignac would be reassuring, considering the Rays are thin in the middle infield. Utility man Ben Zobrist is currently the backup shortstop to starter Jason Bartlett, who remains hampered by the effects of a right knee sprain suffered earlier this year.
As of Monday night, Rays manager Joe Maddon had spoken with a trio of pitchers -- Juan Salas, Jeff Niemann and Mitch Talbot -- to tell them that they would not be with the team during the postseason run. Niemann was also told to keep playing catch in the event that injuries force the club to call on the lanky right-hander.
The Rays are expected to reveal their starting rotation order -- which will feature Scott Kazmir and James Shields in the first two games -- on Tuesday.
While the rest of the Rays' 25-man postseason roster will not be formally announced until Thursday morning, Friedman said the club will likely have conversations with affected players in advance.
One very important conversation involved Crawford, who faced live pitching in Monday's instructional league game for the first time since he was placed on the disabled list (right finger subluxation) Aug. 10, and went 2-for-3 in Tuesday's instructional league game. Crawford is likely to be named to the postseason roster.
A two-time All Star, Crawford has been trying to convince the Rays he's healthy enough to be on the postseason roster.
Right now the Rays are deciding between a roster that includes either 11 pitchers and 14 position players, or 10 pitchers and 15 position players. Friedman said that Crawford's status is "a big part" of that decision.
"We are trying to go through as many scenarios as we can to figure out what we feel like best covers us," Friedman said. "And some of that depends on who the 14 [position players] are proceeding that 15th player."
Crawford was hitting .273 with eight home runs, 10 triples and 57 RBIs at the time of his injury. He also had 25 stolen bases and should be a huge boost to the Rays' outfield defense.
The Rays are also mulling over the decision on closer Troy Percival, and according to Friedman, have not had a full-out conversation involving the veteran pitcher.
Percival has been receiving epidural injections in his back and has been hampered by a slew of injuries (left hamstring strain, right knee cartilage damage) that has put him on the DL three separate times this season. He tossed a scoreless inning on Sunday in Detroit, and although Percival deems himself healthy enough to pitch, that decision will ultimately be up to the Rays.
If the club does opt to include Percival on the roster, it still wouldn't alter the final position-player-pitcher ratio. According to Major League Baseball's ruling, if a pitcher gets hurt in the middle of a series he can be substituted for another pitcher, but that injured pitcher is not eligible for the next round of play.
A four-time AL All-Star, Percival is 2-1 with a 4.53 ERA and 28 saves this season. Since being reinstated from the DL on Sept. 2, however, he has yielded nine runs over 6 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and eight walks.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sheffield's drive for 500 must wait
CHICAGO -- Gary Sheffield's chase for 500 home runs will have to wait for next year. Still, don't expect him to sweat it. It's just another reason for him to look forward to next season.
After a September surge left the veteran slugger on the brink of joining the 500 home run club, including two homers on Friday to get to 499, Sheffield went homerless over the final three games of the season. He went 0-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch and a strikeout in Monday's season finale against the White Sox.
As nice as it would've been, however, Sheffield didn't sound like a disappointed slugger.
"I would've loved to have done it," Sheffield said after the game, "but I would've liked to do it at home."
His two shots at home included his family watching from one of the ballpark suites. Sheffield's uncle, former Major League pitching great Dwight Gooden, came to watch him on Saturday. Gooden had hoped to make it to Chicago for Monday's game, but he didn't get there.
Thus, the pressure was off for the season finale. It didn't make a difference.
"I was more so pressing [Sunday] than today," Sheffield said. "I was just trying to do whatever it took to win today. That's just the way it goes sometimes."
White Sox starter Gavin Floyd hit Sheffield with a pitch in the opening inning, then fell behind him in the count again in the third before recovering for a called third strike that Sheffield contested with home-plate umpire Mike DiMuro. Sheffield hit into a fielder's choice to end the top of the fifth inning before flying out to center in the seventh.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland batted Sheffield second in the lineup for the second straight game to potentially get the slugger an extra at-bat. The game ended with Sheffield on deck.
Sheffield has talked more than once over the past month about how much he looks forward to next season. Now that he feels healthy, with his right shoulder strong, he'll have a chance to go through his regular offseason routine for the first time in about five years. The home run feat will simply add to list of things to look forward to.
Twins go from spectators to participants
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins gathered in their clubhouse at the Metrodome on Monday for a tense afternoon. They became Detroit fans for a day and then experienced the frustration that has accompanied that designation so often this year as the Tigers suffered their 88th loss.
Chicago's 8-2 victory over the Tigers ensured the Twins would play a one-game tiebreaker against the White Sox for the American League Central crown on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on TBS and is also available on MLB.TV. Minnesota had a free-roll on this day, however, as a Detroit victory would have clinched the division title for the Twins and averted the one-game playoff.
"It was a little nerve-wracking, like all the fans out there watching the game tonight," Nick Punto said. "But it's a lot more fun to celebrate when you have your uniform on and you're in that clubhouse -- you earn it. We have to go earn it, and we're looking forward to going out there and beating Chicago."
A vast majority of the team left without speaking to the media -- averting eye contact with the throng gathered outside the clubhouse and striding quickly from the stadium after learning their fate -- so whether players were frustrated or determined is left to speculation.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't kick myself or get a little upset," Punto said of watching Alexei Ramirez's sixth-inning grand slam off Detroit reliever Gary Glover that all but clinched the game for the White Sox. "But it is what it is. We have business to take care of in Chicago, and that's the bottom line."
A few players showed up at the Metrodome around 1:05 p.m. CT, the scheduled first pitch at U.S. Cellular Field. But a rain delay pushed the start time back three hours and four minutes, making for a long day.
Punto said the clubhouse atmosphere during the game was "pretty calm." A poker tournament was also held to pass the time. Several players, however, left in the seventh inning -- not incoincidently after Ramirez's shot put Chicago up 6-2.
The club was originally scheduled to fly out at 8 p.m. CT. Despite the delay, the team's travel plans weren't altered significantly. The game ended around 7:30 p.m. CT and the team departed almost immediately to head to the airport.
"We played good against Chicago this year," Punto said. "It's a little different in this Metrodome than it is there. But we feel real confident in the way we're playing right now and looking forward to going out there and beating Ozzie [Guillen] and the White Sox."
Nation turns out to cheer on club
BOSTON -- For the fifth time in six seasons, the Red Sox are making their way to the postseason, looking for their third World Series title in five years. It's beginning to seem like a common occurrence in the New England area to have Sox baseball extend to October, and the faithful came out to celebrate on Monday afternoon at Fenway Park.
An estimated 900 fans headed through Fenway's gates for the 2008 Postseason Rally Monday presented by Bank of America and hosted by NESN, gathering just behind the Boston dugout down the first-base line to cheer and support the Sox.
Boston clinched its 2008 playoff berth on Tuesday with a 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians, then officially became the American League Wild Card entrant with a loss to the Yankees on Friday -- effectively eliminating themselves from AL East contention.
On Monday, NESN anchor Tom Caron and studio analyst Lou Merloni hosted the event, which featured appearances by manager Terry Francona and players Kevin Youkilis and Jason Bay.
Local band Quest, hailing from Roxbury, Mass., took part in the festivities and played songs in between speeches by the members of the Red Sox organization. It was a celebration of just how well the club has played throughout the past six years, and as a reward there were songs that became staples of an evening at Fenway Park played throughout the event.
"Sweet Caroline," "Wild Thing" and "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" (the last two songs synonymous with Jonathan Papelbon's entrance into a ballgame), and "Tessie" all proudly streamed through the loud speakers.
It was the fourth time in five years that the Sox had such an event take place. Major League Baseball began the rallies in 2004 as a way for fans to celebrate advancement to postseason play.
The Red Sox hosted the event at Fenway in 2004 and '05, then took the rally to City Hall plaza in '07 before returning to the ballpark this year.
The event, which was televised live by NESN, will be replayed at 8 p.m. ET on Monday night.
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