What Game 2 Means to the Rays

The fact that the Rays had a big advantage in starting pitchers tonight with James Shields starting against Brett Myers is academic. After losing Game 1, the Rays needed to win Game 2, regardless of circumstances. They did just that tonight, so even though they didn't get a great start from Shields and the Rays didn't play a great game, the end result was exactly what the Rays needed.

Beyond the result, I think that B.J. Upton's game at the plate might've been the most encouraging part of last night's game for the Rays. Upton spent all of Game 1 swinging for the fences and failing miserably at it. In Game 2, he did a very nice job of shortening his swing and hitting the ball all over the field, leading to a couple of key singles early in the game that helped the Rays build their 3-0 lead after two innings. Also, David Price and Dan Wheeler were very solid out of the 'pen to shore up things after Shields departed in the sixth. We're two games into the Series and the Rays bullpen, which many thought would be a weakness for them, has been very good.

The split in Tampa isn't the most ideal outcome for the Rays because it does give home field advantage to Phillies, but the Rays should have the pitching advantage in Game 3 and a chance to fix that on Saturday. With Cole Hamels pitching as well as he is in these playoffs, the Rays really should just focus on beating the Phillies other pitchers. That was just what they did last night.