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Rays switch starters for Game 5

Wed 15th, October 2008

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon has decided to start Scott Kazmir instead of James Shields for Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox.

Shields was the Game 1 loser and was originally slated to get the ball for the possible series clincher on Thursday at Fenway Park. Instead, the right-hander will start a potential Game 6 on Saturday at the friendly confines of Tropicana Field if the Rays can't close out the series Thursday.

"We felt it was the right thing to do right now," Maddon said Wednesday.

With a day off Wednesday, Kazmir will pitch on regular rest. He started Game 2 at Tropicana Field last Saturday and was knocked around for five runs on six hits in just 4 1/3 innings. The Rays went on to win the contest in 11 innings, 9-8, and have taken the first two at Fenway Park to open a 3-1 series lead.

Kazmir, however, has pitched better at Fenway Park. He has a record of 4-4 with a 3.02 earned run average in 11 career outings in Boston, while Shields is 0-3 with a 10.12 ERA in three starts at Fenway.

"We also like the idea of [Kazmir] pitching here and we also like the idea of Shields pitching at home if necessary," Maddon added.

Shields was 9-2 with a 2.59 ERA at home during the regular season and was the winner in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the White Sox before throwing 7 1/3 innings of two-run ball in the opener of the ALCS against Boston.