[Moriarty9]

Devil Rays, Dodgers set to go
World Series begins tomorrow night at the Trop
October 16, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will get the chance to repeat as World Series champions when they open up the Fall Classic tomorrow night at Tropicana Field against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Devil Rays won their third World Series championship last year, and are looking for a fourth in the organization's 12th season. To get there, they'll have to take on a tough Dodgers team, and both sides will see some familiar faces in the opposing dugout.

Tampa Bay closer Jonathan Papelbon came up with the Dodgers, working 64 games out of the Los Angeles bullpen in 2004 and 2005 before being traded to the Devil Rays along with shortstop Michael Young. Young, who spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons with L.A. has been a key player for Tampa Bay, batting leadoff for the American League champs.

Batting leadoff and playing shortstop for the Dodgers is former Devil Ray Jimmy Rollins. The switch-hitter came up with Tampa Bay in 2000 and was a regular with the club through the 2005 season, when he was traded to Los Angeles. The Dodgers also have infielder Esteban German, who had nine at bats over four games with Tampa Bay in 2005.

The Devil Rays remain the favorites in the World Series after winning 105 games in the regular season. The Dodgers won the National League West with 91 wins, the second best record in the N.L. and the fifth best in baseball.

Los Angeles had a slightly below average offense this season, hitting .263 as a team and scoring 751 runs. Tampa Bay, conversely, hit .280 as a team (only the .282 average put up by the Houston Astros was better), scored 899 runs (third most in baseball) and hit 183 home runs.

The Dodgers pitching staff posted a strong 4.00 ERA for the season, a mark topped by only four teams in the National League. Los Angeles pitchers struck out only 965 batters (lowest total in the NL, second lowest in baseball), but have 10 shutout wins. The Devil Rays had an impressive 3.40 ERA as a team, with only the 3.32 ERA of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim being better in all of baseball. Tampa Bay struck out 1,292 batters (third highest total in baseball), their pitchers threw a remarkable 18 complete games (the Boston Red Sox were closest to Tampa Bay in this category with 10 complete games) and Devil Rays hurlers combined on 13 shutouts (topped only by the Angels).

Both teams have a strong defense with each club posting a .986 fielding percentage, good for a share of the second best percentage in baseball (Houston's club put up a .987 fielding percentage).

Where the Dodgers will have an advantage is the suspension of Tampa Bay slugger Ryan Howard, who will miss the first few games after being ejected for arguing a called third strike and making contact with the home plate umpire during Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. Howard hit .288 with 38 home runs, 112 RBI, and 109 runs scored this season, and has hit .341 with two homers and six RBI in 10 playoff games thus far.

Beyond Howard, the Dodgers pitching staff needs to keep Michael Young off the bases at the top of the order and be careful with Josh Hamilton, who has hit seven home runs in 37 post-season at bats this year, a rate of one home run every 5.29 at bats.

Offensively, Los Angeles needs to put as much pressure on Danny Haren and Pedro Martinez as possible, and try to get the Devil Rays starters out of the game as early as possible in order to try and tax a very strong Tampa Bay bullpen.

For the Devil Rays pitching staff, the key to success lies in stopping firstbaseman James Loney, who hit a very impressive .376 in 622 at bats this year. Loney hit 48 doubles, nine triples, 17 home runs, 106 RBI, and scored 100 runs in 159 games, and has continued his success into the post-season, hitting .351 in nine playoff games. He is a career .400 hitter in 14 post-season games.

For the Tampa Bay lineup, the strategy will be to try to keep the ball out of the hands of Los Angeles closer Jesus Colome, who has had a stellar season. Colome has saved 43 games and posted a 1.99 ERA in 72 1/3 innings of relief, allowing opponents a .199 average against and a WHIP of 1.20.