Shields gets call in Game 2

It's David Price vs. Cliff Lee on Wednesday, an interesting matchup to open the American League Division Series.

The Game 2 matchup is equally as interesting: C.J. Wilson for the Rangers and James Shields for the Rays.

Yes, Shields not only made the postseason rotation after a horrible finish to the regular season, but also is starting the second game.

Rays manager Joe Maddon announced his four-man rotation Monday. Matt Garza will start Game 3 on Saturday in Arlington and Wade Davis will start Game 4 on Sunday, if necessary.

Price, who was named the American League pitcher of the month after going 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA, will pitch Game 5 at the Trop should this best-of-five series go the distance.

Back to Shields.

The Rays' Opening Day starter for the third straight season was 13-15 with a 5.18 ERA after going 0-4 with a 7.59 ERA during his last six starts. Postseason experience played a role in the decision, as did the fact Shields was 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA in two starts against the Rangers.

Shields made the rotation over Jeff Niemann, who struggled since returning from a shoulder strain that cost him three starts. Niemann has looked better over his last three outings and was impressive in his one inning of relief in Sunday's win when he struck out the side in the 11th inning.

Maddon did not announce the rest of the roster, though it appears Niemann will join the bullpen for the ALDS.

As for Shields starting Game 2? It's because it will be played at the Trop, where Shields is a better pitcher than on the road.

"We do like the idea of James pitching here," Maddon said.

Shields' home ERA of 4.53 was more than a run lower than his road ERA of 5.82.

Opponents batted .313 against Shields away from the Trop, as opposed to .274 under the dome. He allowed six more home runs and 24 more hits in two-thirds of an inning more on the road.

"There's a whole bunch of different thoughts and philosophies behind that," said Maddon, who declined to mention any of them.

Some of it has to do with stats, Maddon said.

Shields is 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA in three career starts at the Ballpark in Arlington.

Garza, though, is not much better in Texas. He is 2-3 with a 6.04 ERA. Still, his road ERA is 4.27 and opponents are batting .258 against Garza on the road.

Maddon said the decision to pitch Shields at home in Game 2 and have Garza pitch in Arlington in Game 3 was one of the more livelier discussions Saturday among he, his coaching staff and the front office when they met in Kansas City to discuss the rotation.

"There are a variety of reasons why we came up with this order," Maddon said, though he declined to discus any of them.

Major League Baseball approved a change to the Trop's ground rules for the A and B ring catwalks. Any ball that strikes either ring or anything hanging off the catwalk in fair territory is now a dead ball and the pitch does not count. The Rays made the request after Jason Kubel of the Twins hit the A-ring catwalk over the infield on Aug. 5. The ball fell for an infield hit and the go-ahead run scored.

LONGORIA READY: Evan Longoria worked out Monday at the Trop, hitting off hitting coach Derek Shelton and then Mike Ekstrom. Maddon said Longoria drove the first slider he saw over the State Farm ad in left field and down the tunnel that leads to the seats behind the wall. "He's fine. He's ready to go," Joe Maddon said.

FIRST PITCHES: Rays scouting director D.J. Harrison and director of minor-league operations Mitch Lukevics will throw out the first pitch before Wednesday's game to honor their 15 years with the organization. Gov. Charlie Crist will throw out the first pitch before Game 2.