Tampa Bay 3 - Red Sox 1

Wow. Tampa Bay is one game away from the World Series!! Since the Twins didn't make the playoffs, I've kind of adopted the Rays as the team I'd like to see take it all. It helps that there are two ex-Twins on their team, Matt Garza (P) and Jason Bartlett (SS). Last year, we went to the final Twins home games, and being hip with the times, I bought a Bartlett shirt. Then, he was traded to Tampa Bay. This year, I bought a Cuddyer Twins shirt, and he spent most of the season on the DL. I'm not buying anymore specific sports shirts.

Anyways, back to Tampa Bay. Their manager, Joe Maddon, has had everyone buzzing about how he doesn't follow the rules. I tried to find examples, but most of the stories I found were too bloated and not specific enough until I finally found one that pointed to specifics. Here are some of things Joe Maddon does that bucks general Baseball trends.

1) intentionally walk dangerous batters with the bases loaded
2) have switch hitters hit from the same side as the pitcher (hitting right against right handed pitcher)
3) put in his ace closer very early in the game if the situation calls for it
4) put crazy defensive shifts on willing to give up the base hit to force the hitter to change their power approach
5) isn't afraid of his runners getting the first or third out at third stretching out hits
6) wears goofy glasses

All of these, with the exception of #6, are things little league managers have probably thought of doing, but he is actually doing this in the big leagues with great success. Very interesting to follow and its nice to see someone like him get ahead. Tonight, these things seemed to work perfectly as they lit up Tim Wakefield early and often and won 13-4.

Of course, if you are keeping track at home, now that I have written this and picked a side, the Red Sox will now go 3-0 and win the ALCS. Just my rotten luck. Oh, and it should go without saying I was cheering for the Cubs, too.