As the rain comes down on the Trop, David Price is raining down fastballs.
Price has thrown as high as 97 mph and is getting a lot of swinging strikes. This is great news as Price has never won against the Rangers. In his career Price is 0-2 with a 7.45 ERA in four regular season games, 0-2 with a 4.97 ERA in two postseason. He has allowed one hit in three innings and struck out four in the first two.
Colby Lewis is pitching in the 80's and hasn't had great control. A wild pitch almost allowed a run in the first and many pitches are hitting the dirt and bouncing off the catcher. He has four Ks after three innings as well, but has been relying on a seldom used curveball. The Rays won't stay fooled long. Ben Zobrist (double and a walk), Johnny Damon and Reid Brignac (!) have hits thus far.
Sean Rodriguez went 2 for 8 with a home run in the first two games of the series. Maddon is trusting S-Rod can keep it up and found it worth while to sneak him into the line up as today's first baseman instead of Casey Kotchman.