Click on above images to be taken to full standings, box scores or schedule…

THE GOOD: Tough lefty? Carl Crawford is 9-19 (.474) in his career against Jamie Moyer. Carlos Pena is 10-20 (.500) with 3 doubles and 2 home runs. Matt Stairs (1-10) is the only Phillie that has ever faced Matt Garza, but is unlikely to face him tonight.

THE BAD: Having to explain to people that we will be late to a Halloween party because of the World Series even though they promise to have the game on. Don’t care. We need to focus. This is too important.

THE TELLING: Forecast is now saying that the rain should have already passed by game time, with rain up until about 6pm and only 20% chance of rain during the game. You can get hourly updates here…The Rays were 6-3 in NL ballparks this season.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • The Delaware News-Journal (Phillies country) compares the long-suffering fans of the Rays and Phillies and what this World Series means to each. The story includes some quotes from some Rays fans including some bloke named Cork Gaines. Wonder where they found that guy? [Delaware News-Journal]
  • Peter Gammons compares the Rays and Phillies bullpens. Joe Maddon says the key to building a bullpen without a top-notch closer is to find 4-5 guys that are not afraid of pitching in the 9th inning and 4-5 guys that are capable of coming into a game, finishing an inning and then going back out to at least start the next inning. Interestingly, Maddon says he can see Jake McGee filling those needs once he comes back from Tommy John surgery. [ESPN]

Price obviously is going into the Tampa Bay rotation next season, but look for the Rays to take a big, hard-throwing lefty like Jake McGee — who is coming off Tommy John surgery — to try that role. Maddon says McGee throws harder than Price, and he sees McGee being used in important roles out of the pen once he learns how to pitch, sit and pitch again.

  • Ahhh Phillies Fans. [Big League Stew-Video]
  • Joe Maddon admits that the game is more difficult to manage without a DH. Bill Chastain also mentions that while Andy Sonnanstine and Scott Kazmir can handle a bat well, Matt Garza is a very poor hitter. [MLB]
  • Paul White of USA Today says the ballpark is not nearly as important as the pitching matchups and the Rays have the advantage. [USA Today]
  • The Rays relievers are going to have to deal with a raucous crowd near the bullpen. [LA Times]
  • Ronald Blum takes a look at the Rays bullpen and notes that unlike most teams, the Rays’ relievers do not have defined roles. [SI.com]
  • Not a single Tampa Bay Ray was named to the Sporting News’ American League All-Star team. [Halos Happenings]
  • Carlos Pena calls Akinori Iwamura “one of the best players we’ve ever seen.” High praise indeed. [Chicago Tribune]
  • Piper Castillo takes a look at what is on Fernando Perez’ nightstand. [St. Pete Times]
  • Dueling Couches is none too happy that the media are talking about David Price so much. We are assuming they were just as hard on the media with Joba Chamberlain last year and Francisco Rodriguez back in 2002. Because apparently it is not impressive to record the final 4 outs of an ALCS game 7 win against the Red Sox and then record the final 7 outs of a World Series win. All after having started the year in single-A. [Dueling Couches]
  • Despite solid game 1 numbers, game 2 received the second-lowest ratings ever for a World Series game. [Awful Announcing]
  • Bob Verdi of the Chicago Tribune says this World Series is worth watching and that nobody need feel sorry for the fat cats running the television industry. [Chicago Tribune]
  • A tour of Joe Maddon’s office…Love the quote of about the wine and Joey Gathright. [VIDEO]
  • Some pics of game 2 from a fan in the seats. [The Serious Tip]
  • The success of the Rays has even boosted the local cigar industry. [Cigar Review]

Related posts:

  1. Jake McGee Will Join Rays On Tuesday
  2. Jake McGee And Elliot Johnson Could Be With Rays As Early As Tomorrow
  3. Down On The Farm: Jake McGee Makes First Start In Over A Year