On Monday night in Texas, Joe Maddon demonstrated once again why he is one of the best managers in the game. The computer whiz who uses modern technology to analyze every statistic and situation clearly out-managed Ron Washington. The 163rd game of the season for the Tampa Bay Rays resulted in another ‘do-or-die’ game vs Cleveland on Wednesday night.
“I have gone over every possible situation and scenario in my head.” Joe Maddon said prior to the game Monday night. Nobody doubts he did, right? Nobody questions his preparation, correct? I didn’t think so. Maddon made several managerial decisions that contradicted what we as fans consider the “norm” for most managers.
In the 6th inning with the Rays leading 3-1, Evan Longoria doubled with one out before Delmon Young grounded out. With two outs Joe Maddon decided to pinch-hit for Sean Rodriguez and allow David DeJesus to face Alexi Ogando. DeJesus roped a double into the right field corner to plate Longoria and give the Rays a 4-1 lead.
In the bottom of the 8th inning the Rangers had Leonys Martin leading off, followed by four right-handed hitters (Kinsler, Andrus, Rios and Beltre). With The Rays’ setup man Joel Peralta warm in the pen, surely Maddon will go to him for the righty-righty matchup, right? Wrong. Maddon decided to stick with David Price and was rewarded with a scoreless frame in the 8th inning.
While The Rays were batting in the top of the 9th Fernando Rodney was warming up in the bullpen. He has been the Rays’ go-to closer for the last two seasons and from 2012-2013 he has been arguably the best closer in the American League. With the Rays adding an insurance run to make it a 5-2 game, Texas came up in the bottom of the 9th only to see David Price still on the mound. With Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz due-up you would assume Fernando Rodney would pitch in a 5-2 game, correct? Wrong again. Joe Maddon stuck with Price for the 9th inning and his ace delivered a 1-2-3 frame to clinch the Rays’ 4th postseason appearance in the last six seasons.
Since 2008, Joe Maddon has turned a losing ball-club into a franchise for other clubs to model themselves after. The Rays have averaged 92 wins per season over the last six seasons while constantly having a team payroll that is amongst the lowest in the game. And it’s because of that low payroll it’s difficult not to be enthusiastic about the Tampa Bay Rays – and the skipper leading the way.
The Rays will now play at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Wednesday night. Joe Maddon has elected to use Alex Cobb vs the Indians who went 11-3 with a 2.76 ERA in the regular season. The winner of the Wild Card Playoff will then play the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS beginning Friday, October 4th.
