The Tampa Bay Rays have announced their playoff roster for the 2011 ALDS. Tampa Bay will look to carry their youth movement into round one of the ALDS, as the club relies heavily on a playoff roster full of 20-somethings.
The only real noticeable omission from Tampa Bay’s first round playoff roster is starting pitcher Jeff Niemann. Niemann, who’s been a fixture in the Rays rotation for several years, didn’t make the cut, in part due to his rough month of September.
In his place, the Rays will turn to a rotation of Matt Moore, David Price, James Shields and Jeremy Hellickson. The real surprise of the Rays roster layout may have been Joe Maddon giving Moore the nod to start game one. This enables Tampa Bay to use Price, Shields and Hellickson on normal rest during the remainder of the series.
Tampa Bay’s bullpen is made up of seven pitchers; Wade Davis, Brandon Gomes, Jake McGee, J.P. Howell, Juan Cruz, Joel Peralta and Kyle Farnsworth.
The Rays Will Carry a trio of backstops into the playoffs; Kelly Shoppach, John Jaso and Jose Lobaton. Behind their regular infield of Casey Kotchman, Ben Zobrist, Reid Brignac and Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay has selected reserves Sean Rodriguez and Elliot Johnson.
Fan favorite Sam Fuld and rookie sensation Desmond Jennings will back up Johnny Damon, Matt Joyce and B.J. Upton in the Rays outfield.
The Rays and Rangers begin their series this evening at 5:07 p.m.
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