After taking a 5-4 loss in the series finale against the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon, the Rays boarded a charter flight to Oakland, where they will begin a three-game series against the A's on Monday night.
Historically, Oakland has been the toughest opposing city to play in for the Rays, evidenced by their 10-35 franchise record at McAfee Coliseum. In 15 visits to Oakland, they have won only two series.
Additionally, the Rays' overall record against the A's is 31-63 (.330), the second-worst mark against an opponent, ahead of only their 26-55 (.321) mark against the Indians.
McAfee Coliseum, which also plays home to the NFL's Oakland Raiders, is an unusual ballpark.
"The thing that stands out is a lot of foul territory,
" Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "A lot of popups are being caught. I also believe from talking to infielders, the depth perception [is different] in throwing because there is so much room behind [first base]. I know that it has created some problems with infielders [on the shortstop side] of the field. Those are the two things that stand out to me.
"
James Shields, who will start for the Rays on Monday night, called McAfee Coliseum, "just another park."
"But that team's pretty hot right now,
" Shields added. "That team's young, just like us, and they've got a couple of veterans. It's definitely a pitcher's ballpark.
"
On the bright side for the Rays is the fact they have captured two of their last three series in Oakland, and their starters for the series (Shields, Scott Kazmir and Andy Sonnanstine) are a combined 7-2 lifetime against the A's. Tampa Bay won the 2007 season series six games to four, and have played .500 ball (14-14) against the A's over the last three seasons.
"I think we're on a roll right now and the starters are doing real well,
" Shields said. "We're feeding off each other. We'll have bad games here and there, but we're coming back right back like we've been doing all season and try to get a win. It's fun to have that little competition in the clubhouse between the starters. In all reality, we're having fun with it. We're picking everybody up.
"
Shields is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his lone career start at McAfee Coliseum. He took the loss in his last start after allowing two runs to the Yankees on Wednesday in a 2-1 Rays loss. Despite the loss, Shields feels he is hitting his stride.
"Right now, I think I'm getting close to midseason form,
" Shields said. "I've worked out most of the kinks in the first [nine] starts. I'm feeling more of a rhythm out there, feeling more confident. We're playing great defense right now, so it's a little bit easier for me to do that.
"
Pitching matchup
TB: RHP James Shields (4-3, 3.05 ERA)
Opposing teams are hitting just .238 against Shields this season.
OAK: RHP Joe Blanton (2-6, 3.69 ERA)
Blanton is 2-3 with a 6.06 ERA in seven career starts against the Rays.
Tidbits
After the right-handed Blanton starts the first game of the Oakland series, the A's will send left-handers Greg Smith and Dana Eveland to the mound to start the final two games of the series, meaning Jonny Gomes will get starts in both games. "I'm just excited about two lefties,
" Gomes said. "It's Christmas Eve.
" ... The Rays committed their 21st error of the season on Saturday, leaving them 18 errors short of their error total to this point a year earlier. Rays infielders have committed just 10 errors, the lowest total in the Major Leagues. ... By working his 141st career game as a Ray on Saturday, Trever Miller passed Doug Creek (2000-02) for the most in club history by a left-hander.
