… a lot of Red Sox fans take this as a sign the Rays think the ALCS is over and they’re setting the rotation for the World Series. I think it’s a sign of respect.

Had Shields lost a Game 5, who would feel totally comfortable with the prospect of a shaky Kaz in 6 and then Lester in 7. This series is not over. And I think the move shows that Maddon is still playing defensively, trying to set up the best possible matchups to make sure we get at least one win. I think Kazmir vs. Dice-K and then Beckett vs. Shields does that.

And if Kaz can win Game 5, then we’re really golden.

I was tired of hearing the announcers talk all last night about how Lester & Beckett wanted a 2nd chance….how about Shields? I was happy to have him in game 5.

But, after reading that article with Shields ERA in Fenway, and Kaz & the ump for game 6…I like it.

Hopefully, Kaz is loose and ready tomorrow night…and if not, Mr Price should be rested and ready to go. Let’s celebrate in Boston.

For many of the reasons listed above: Shields is far more consistent at the Trop; our bullpen is fully rested, and if Kazmir self-destructs, we have plenty of options. Let’s just hope that our bats continue to shine and we can expose Dice-K. The way we’re hitting right now combined with the number of mistakes he makes per game is making me feel pretty good about this matchup.

Kaz has pitched well at Fenway this year, Shields has pitched well at the Trop. Maddon is going with the better match-up….which is unconventional because of how bad Kaz has been lately, but Maddon has been doing unconventional all season long…..why stop now? With Dice-K on the mound, it might not really matter who we have if he pitches like he did in Game 1. Kaz could dominate as well, and we might wrap it up in Boston. If not, I feel better with Shields pitching at home.

1- Takes pressure of a near ‘must Game 6’ at home OFF Kaz

2- Takes advantage of Shields’ superb home record

Having to listen to the jackass announcers call him “Big Game James” about a million more times. Seriously – where did this nickname come from, and what did we do to deserve it?

between Kaz and Dice-K, I put it at 14.5

because of his dominance at home this year. It’s not so different in this case. Maddon has gone on record that this is about home/road splits and their performances at Fenway..

Beckett, why waste him against Dice K?

See no problem with it. Also Cousins and Kazmir may not get along. I would rather do this, knowing you have an off day and the team has a “parachute” in that off day if Kaz falters. I believe momentum is only as good as the next day’s pitcher. I think Dice-K will get roughed up to a degree. If Kaz can be halfway respectable, the Rays should be able to close this out.

That is all that matters. We could lose no matter who we start or we could win no matter who we start. This gives us the best chance.

This is how I see it:

Kaz v Dice K-Sox 65-Rays 35
Shields v Beckett-Sox 25% Rays 75%
Garza v Lester-Sox 50% Rays 50%

or

Shields v Dice K-Sox 45% Rays 55%
Beckett v Kazmir-Rays 45% Sox 55%
Garza v Lester-Sox 50% Rays 50%

We take a hit in Game 5 to get a huge advantage in Game 6. Either way the odds of us losing three in a row is pretty slim.

If we needed all 3, or even 2 of 3 then this isn’t really the move. Since we only need ONE of three this is the correct move.