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Henderson: Rays' Regrouping Is No Surprise

News Channel 8 photo by BOB HANSEN

Manager Joe Maddon talks with members of the Rays on the mound during the eighth inning of Sunday's 5-3 loss to the White Sox.

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By JOE HENDERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 6, 2008

CHICAGO - No one was particularly surprised that the White Sox played well Sunday in beating the Rays. Rays manager Joe Maddon said he expected it and swept aside any notion that Chicago's 5-3 win in Game 3 of the Division Series was anything to be concerned about.

"To think that you are just going to waltz through this whole thing is not a good thought," Maddon said. "It's very unreasonable. They're very good. And they're very good in this building, also."

The Rays are still in very good position to win this playoff and advance to the American League Championship Series, but you can't get around the notion that this afternoon's game has taken on some extra urgency. They're facing a tough customer in Chicago's Gavin Floyd (16-8, 3.91), and they know another loss would set up a win-or-else shootout Wednesday at the Trop.

The White Sox actually beat the Rays at their own game Sunday – stealing three bases, taking advantage of their opportunities (they only left five runners on base, compared with nine for the Rays). Their bullpen was lights-out; three relievers combined for 2 1/3 innings and gave up only one hit while striking out three.

That was most unusual for a team that lives on the long ball.

That said, I kind of like the idea of Andy Sonnanstine pitching for the Rays, though. After feeding the Sox a steady diet of gas the last two games with Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza, Sonnanstine offers a completely different look. He works fast, throws strikes and isn't afraid to let the ball be put in play.

He also came up big in some of the Rays' most important games down the stretch. In 14 innings over two starts against Boston, he allowed only two unearned runs. Sonnanstine certainly won't be in awe of the surroundings.

Beyond the obvious fact that you don't want the season to come down to one game, there's another reason the Rays really want to wrap this up today. If they win, their pitching will be lined up nicely for the next step.

They can start James Shields and Scott Kazmir this weekend in the ALCS opening games at the Trop, where both are significantly better. It will also give some of the battered bodies some extra rest before the next round.

Got to get to that next round first, though.

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