Rays Left-Hander Kazmir Will Continue to Take the Mound Despite His Struggles

BOSTON, Oct. 12 -- The Boston Red Sox are not the only ALCS participant facing questions regarding a onetime staff ace who is lined up to start Game 6. Like Boston's Josh Beckett, Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Scott Kazmir struggled with inconsistency in Game 2 and had his manager fending off questions about his status later in the series.

"Yeah, absolutely he's going to pitch. I have a lot of confidence," Rays Manager Joe Maddon said. "This last outing, he wasn't so good. . . . It's one of those moments [where] we have to keep throwing him out there. He's a wonderful talent. He's going to be a big part of our organization for many years to come, and absolutely [we are] going to show him support."

Four of the seven runs Kazmir has allowed in his two postseason starts have come in the first inning, a season-long problem for the 24-year-old. "It seems like he's really been beat up in the first inning a little bit," Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey said. "The command of the fastball has been lacking."

Because of the three days off between Games 2 and 6, Beckett and Kazmir would be making their next starts on six days' rest, two days more than usual. Should Maddon change his mind about Kazmir, he would have the choice of two potential starters, in rookie left-hander David Price, the winning pitcher out of the bullpen in Game 2, and right-hander Edwin Jackson.

"I'm not discouraged," Maddon said. "I know a lot of people are, and I know conventional wisdom pops in there. I'm really not a conventional wisdomist, if that's a word."

Different Travel Schedules

The teams took different approaches to Sunday's travel day. The Red Sox left St. Petersburg, Fla., immediately after the end of the marathon Game 2 -- which ended at 1:37 a.m. -- and arrived at Fenway Park at close to 7 a.m., while the Rays slept in their own beds and departed Florida a little after noon.

The Red Sox held an optional workout at Fenway Park, which appeared to draw roughly half their roster, while the Rays canceled theirs entirely.

"It was exhausting," Rays first baseman Carlos Peña said of the 11-inning game, which took 5 hours 27 minutes. "It was so long. But wow, it was one of the best games I've ever been involved with. It was exhausting, but to come out with the win was so satisfying."

The day off also allows both teams to recharge their depleted bullpens, both of which were stretched to critical levels in Game 2 -- although the Rays say they will check with closer Dan Wheeler, who threw 3 1/3 innings Saturday night, before making him available for Monday's Game 3.

Moving Pieces

Both teams are expected to tweak their lineups in Game 3, with the Rays inserting Rocco Baldelli in right field and Willy Aybar as designated hitter, and the Red Sox using Alex Cora at shortstop.

The Cora move might send Jed Lowrie to the bench, or it could result in Lowrie moving to third base, Kevin Youkilis from third to first and Mark Kotsay to the bench.

Red Sox Manager Terry Francona also said he expects J.D. Drew to return to right field after being held out of the lineup in Game 2.