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Kazmir Regains Faith In His Slider

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By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - The desire to keep James Shields from pitching on short rest is the reason Scott Kazmir will get the start tonight in Game 1 of the World Series, but all parties involved feel a lot better about it after the way Kazmir's last start unfolded.

The lefty demonstrated in his start at Boston in Game 5 of the ALCS that he still can get the job done, allowing only two hits in six shutout innings before the Rays' bullpen blew a huge lead and the game, and that performance has him on a high heading into tonight.

"It's definitely a confidence booster going into this next game," Kazmir said Tuesday.

The key boost was his renewed faith in his slider. Formerly his trademark pitch, Kazmir had strayed from it most of the year after injuring his elbow during spring training and missing the first month of the regular season. He went back to it last Thursday, with impressive results, and he plans to stick with that plan tonight.

"It kind of seemed like for pretty much the entire season I was a little tense in throwing my slider, because I felt like it was tough to be able to get out there and get extended," he said. "So with this last start, I kind of wanted to establish it early in the game and it helped me out in the late innings."

Speaking of establishing early, that's what the Rays would like Kazmir to do for their rotation heading into the series. Shields will follow in Game 2, with Matt Garza and Andy Sonnanstine slated to pitch the first two games in Philadelphia over the weekend.

That alignment would allow Shields to start twice at Tropicana Field (Games 2 and 6), where he has been far more successful than on the road. It also will have their worst-hitting pitcher, Garza, swinging the bat in Philadelphia with no DH, but that's how it goes.

The Rays will go with Kazmir and hope for more of the same.

"Obviously Kaz did throw the ball more consistently in the strike zone in Boston," said Manager Joe Maddon, "so if he can show up and do the same thing that'd be great."

This And That

It will cost $20 to park in Tropicana Field lots during the World Series - double the rate for the regular season and first two rounds of the playoffs. Vehicles carrying at least four people will continue to receive free parking. ... 3B Evan Longoria was named AL Rookie of the Year in a Sporting News survey of major-league players. ... A familiar face passed through the Rays' clubhouse Tuesday afternoon: OF Nathan Haynes. A waiver-wire pickup at the end of spring training, Haynes saw action in 20 games with the Rays early on before spending the balance of the year in Durham. He's in town to undergo shoulder surgery today.

Roster Stays Intact

After a series of meetings, the Rays decided to go with the same roster that got them to the World Series. They'll carry the same 11 pitchers they did in the ALCS and the same 14 position players.

There was some discussion on the latter, as the Rays pondered replacing Gabe Gross with Eric Hinske, but ultimately Gross' superior defense won out. The Rays also would have replaced backup C Michel Hernandez with Shawn Riggans, but Riggans still isn't back to full speed after undergoing surgery on his right knee last month.

Riggans said he still was having trouble popping up from a crouch to throw and he understood if that was enough to keep him off the roster.

"If I can't perform, I can't perform," he said.

Matt Garza has plenty on his plate at the moment, but he may have a tough decision to make after the World Series.

The Mexican Baseball Federation called him a couple of weeks ago, while the Rays were in Chicago for the first round of the playoffs, and asked if Garza would be interested in representing that country in next spring's World Baseball Classic.

Garza was born and raised in California but is of Mexican descent. He said he would prefer to play for the U.S. team in the WBC, but would consider the offer from Mexico if that isn't possible.

"It's a great opportunity to just let people know that I'm proud of my heritage and I'm proud of where I come from," he said.

Pregame Festivities

The Backstreet Boys will sing the national anthem prior to Game 1 tonight, with Los Lonely Boys doing the honors Thursday before Game 2. Members of the military from the Tampa area will sing "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch of both games.

Speaking of Tampa's military ties, Gen. David Petraeus the former commanding general in Iraq who is moving to U.S. Central Command, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2. Tonight, Pinellas County Commissioner Bob Stewart will do the honors.

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