Rays Bullpen-Paying The Price

It now looks like the pitching match-ups are set.

Kazmir-Hamels in Game 1

Shields-Myers in Game 2

Garza-Moyer in Game 3

How will Game 4's starter for Tampa Bay determine who wins the World Series? It's simple, Joe Maddon will likely send Andy Sonnanstine to the mound in Game 4.

Andy Sonnanstine being the key player in the series, you think i'm crazy right? Not exactly, you see Sonnanstine pitching in Game 4 means one thing. One BIG thing. The thing that will put the Rays over the top of the Phillies.

David Price: closer, Tampa Bay Rays.

Rather than have David Price start one game, he'll likely be the closer. With Balfour and Wheeler in the 7th, Troy Percival in the 8th and Price in the 9th, or earlier if need be, that solidifies the Rays bullpen enough to overcome two, potentially three years of MVP's, assuming my pick Ryan Howard takes home the MVP this season.

David Price is as smart as a Jamie Moyer or Greg Maddux on the mound and throws like no one's business. He's got the stuff, and the proof is in front of your eyes. The last four Boston outs in Game 7 came as a direct result of the 6-6, 225 pounder's left arm.

Anyone remember the last time Joe Maddon inherited a potential closer with this much talent late in the season?

Hmmm, let's think, Joe Maddon, bench coach for Mike Scioscia's World Series champion Anaheim Angels, the pitcher K-Rod, Francisco Rodriquez.

Yeah the guy that had 61 saves, 77 K's in 68.1 innings this year and should get some SERIOUS Cy Young consideration.

While the comparison is a bit unfair as Rodriguez had always been a reliever, you can't deny Price's talent. He's shown that he will throw inside, low and do whatever it takes to get a batter out.

The Phillies are a team that does things right, lots of things right, but they have appeared complacent.

They very well are probably underestimating the rag-tag group of relievers in Jim Hickey's bullpen, and this will be their down fall. Pardon the pun, because in this case it's real.

The Phillies' "price to pay" will be staring down one of their batters come Game 6 or 7, after just getting the last out. He will look like an aged veteran, but will be celebrating like it was his 23rd birthday, which for the record was only 2 months ago.