2011 ALDS: 3 Players Who Need to Help out Evan Longoria with Big Hits

On Saturday night, the Texas Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in the second game of the ALDS to even up the series at one game a piece.

When Tampa Bay had fallen down in the game 7-3, Evan Longoria tried his best to bring the Rays back into the game when he hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning, but it still was not enough.

If the Rays want to win this series against Texas, they are going to need some clutch hits out of their other players in addition to Evan Longoria.

Here are three guys who need to start hitting clutch hits.

Johnny Damon

Johnny Damon has more playoff experience than anyone else on the team. He has won World Series titles with the Red Sox and the Yankees and he knows how to hit big hits. 

Remember in the 2004 ALCS in game seven when Damon hit two home runs, including a grand slam, to solidify Boston's American League Pennant? That is what the Rays need.

Granted, Damon is getting older but he should be able to do what he has always done, get big hits.

If somebody other than Longoria is going to be Mr. Clutch during these playoffs, Johnny Damon is next in line for the job. 

Desmond Jennings

Desmond Jennings is seen as the replacement for Carl Crawford in the Rays organization and now that he is in the playoffs in just his rookie year, it is time for him to start acting like the Crawford of old.

Jennings is batting leadoff in his first ever appearance in the playoffs and although he is 2-7 at the plate in his first two games, the Rays need him to start coming up even bigger for the team. 

His speed is an asset which he needs to utilize and in tough situations, Jennings needs to be a clutch hitter who can extend singles into doubles and doubles into triples. The Rays desperately need Jennings to take some of the load off of Longoria in the offensive scheme of things.

BJ Upton

BJ Upton is easily the most controversial player on Tampa Bay's offense. Many thought he should have been traded at the deadline this year and many think that he is a source of untapped potential.

Upton has tapped into that potential before, most notably during the 2008 playoffs when he had seven home runs in the ALDS and ALCS. Without Upton, Tampa Bay may not have beaten the Red Sox in the ALCS that year and the Rays may not have made their first World Series appearance ever.

We know that Upton is capable of being a game changer, and the Rays desperately need that Upton to show up to the plate this offseason. If Upton can be a clutch hitter against the Rangers, the Rays will soar through the rest of the playoffs on their way to the World Series.

In any case, somebody needs to provide Tampa Bay with clutch hits who is not Evan Longoria and these three are easily the best bets for the Rays.