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Crawford's Progress On Display

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By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 28, 2008

DETROIT - Another day brought another twist in Carl Crawford's quest to make the Division Series roster - this one perhaps the outfielder's best argument yet to be included.

Facing pitches, albeit at batting-practice speed, for the first time, Crawford impressed everyone that mattered during a pregame session on the field at Comerica Park. He showed no signs of discomfort during a couple of rounds in the batting cage with coach Tim Bogar providing the deliveries, and Manager Joe Maddon clearly liked what he saw.

"He looked good, there was no hesitation, I didn't see any flinching, I didn't see him favor it one time," Maddon said. "It looked absolutely normal."

That, of course, is what Crawford has been trying to tell the Rays - that he isn't feeling any pain in his surgically repaired right hand and he should be allowed to get back to swinging at full speed.

"I've been swinging for a while - I knew it wasn't going to hurt," Crawford said. "They were more worried than me. I know how my hand feels and it's fine."

He'll get another chance to demonstrate his progress today as he takes another round of batting practice, but his performance Saturday certainly seemed to enhance his chances of making the Rays' roster for the first playoff round.

"This is one of those things we did not expect," Maddon said. "Everything I had been told up to this point indicated he would not be ready, so this would be a pleasant surprise."

If Crawford comes through today's exercise with no problems, he may get some at-bats in Instructional League games the early part of this week as he tries to shake the rust off his swing. The Rays don't have to finalize their roster until Thursday morning, so they'll have plenty of time to make a decision once Crawford shows what he can do against full-speed pitching.

LOOKING AHEAD: With the division title finally in hand, the Rays can turn their focus to determining how their rotation and roster will look for the Division Series.

Maddon said he expects most of the pertinent decisions to be made - if not necessarily announced - by the time a Monday afternoon meeting of the baseball staff adjourns.

The key call for the Rays is whether they will carry 10 or 11 pitchers. Maddon said pitching coach Jim Hickey suggested the larger number, and the manager acknowledged that would follow "conventional wisdom" given the Rays' schedule.

Since they'll open the playoffs Thursday against either the Twins or the White Sox and come back the following day for Game 2, they'll need four starting pitchers for the first round rather than three. That could lead to them carrying 11 pitchers to ensure they have enough fresh arms in the bullpen, as ineffective starters get the hook faster in the playoffs.

Also in question is the makeup of the rotation. Maddon said James Shields and Scott Kazmir will start the first two games but didn't say who would start Thursday's opener. Shields seems the likely choice, as his propensity for swallowing up innings gives the Rays the best chance to get off to a strong start. That would leave Kazmir for Game 2 and Matt Garza for Game 3. The Rays also will have to determine whether Edwin Jackson or Andy Sonnanstine will serve as their Game 4 starter.

"We still have to wait and find out who we're playing, too. We don't know that yet," Maddon said. "Each team provides a different set of circumstances, so that'll be part of our decision."

NOTEWORTHY: Shields will pitch a maximum of two innings in his final regular-season start today. ... Fans are being encouraged to welcome the Rays back from Detroit tonight. They are expected to land at the St. Pete/Clearwater Airport around 8 p.m.

Marc Lancaster

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