MLB Showdown Cards

	Line Up	Rotation	Bullpen	Bench	Total
(4)Rays	2,090	1,640	540	60	4,330
(13) Padres	1,290	1,050	560	44	2,944

               Predictions: Rays have a sizeable almost 1,400 point advantage. The 800 point line up advantage is probably plenty enough to secure a win in this series. The almost 500 point advantage in starting rotation comes down to maybe the most interesting matchup in the series. James Shields faces his perfect lineup (no not cheap) a lineup full of walks and few homers. With his big K he could really strand the Padres. This could be a classic case where the Rays may want to try and use someone other than Shields to win the series to save him. I predict Rays in 5.

Game 1: This is one the Padres are going to want back. Leading 1-0 after 5 the Padres bring in Heath Bell the closer for the 6^th to secure a scoreless inning through the heart of the Rays order. All goes to plan gets the 0 and better yet Padres put up 2 in the bottom of the 6^th. Top of the 7^th Frieri pitches himself into and out of trouble allowing no runs on 2 walks and a hit. Even better the Padres put up another 2 runs in the bottom of the 7^th to make in 5-0 going into the 8^th and about to steal a game 1 win verse a starter they did not match up well against… and then. Luke Gregorson proceeded to get the snot kicked out of him for 5 runs. Starting with a 3 run homer by Ben Zobrist. The inning would end tied 5-5. Top of the 9^th Zobrist hits in the go ahead run with a triple and scores himself later in the inning Rays win 9-5 and Padres trail 1-0 when they should of and needed the win.

Game 2: Aaron Harang and Jeremy Hellickson both pitched 7 inning gems for 0 runs. Harang would turn it over to the bullpen which would again ruin a great chance to win a game with Moseley allowing 2 runs in the 8^th on homer by Kelly Shoppach and an RBI double by Evan Longoria. Rays win 2-0 and lead series 2-0

Game 3: Stauffer and Price pitch 6+ inning 3 run games each. Both would give up runs on mostly nickel and dime attacks. The game would go to 13 innings with Juan Cruz and Heath Bell both pitching 3 shut out innings. For the Rays Cruz would surrender a lead off walk to Maybin in the 12^th who would steal, be bunted over by bell and driven in by Nick Hundley. Bell would finally seal a win for the Padres bullpen 4-3 and trail the series 1-2

Game 4: Shields never got his stat builder game in this series pitching 7 innings with 7 hits, 3 runs and only 5 strike outs this game. Latos would pitch 6 innings for 3 runs which is more than can be expected. Story of the series though is Padres bullpen costs them this time Frieri would allow 2 runs in the bottom of the 8^th on a BJ Upton RBI triple in which he would later score. Zobrist again hit a homer to keep his power numbers up. Rays win game 5-3 and lead series 3-1.

Game 5: Hellickson would give up the first run in the second on a FB by will Venable following and Orlando Hudson double. The Rays would respond in the bottom of the inning with a run by Matt Joyce on a Kelly Shoppach FB. Harang would eventually surrender 5 runs total including an Evan Longoria 2 RBI double in the bottom of the 7^th. The Rays win the game 5-1 and series 4-1 and head to face the Royals with a day of rest in their back pocket.