james shields

The Rays rode a strong outing by James Shields to a win in Game 2 over the Phillies that evened the World Series at 1-1.

Yes, James Shields is a good pitcher. But should he be called 'Big Game' James? Joe Posnanski feels Shields still needs to come up big in a big game first.

Joe Maddon is essentially playing with house money right now. When his Rays left for Boston early last Sunday morning, Maddon could have realistically hoped that they might return to Tampa on Friday with two wins at Fenway Park under their belts and a 3-2 ALCS lead.

Joe Maddon is essentially playing with house money right now. When his Rays left for Boston early last Sunday morning, Maddon could have realistically hoped that they might return to Tampa on Friday with two wins at Fenway Park under their belts and a 3-2 ALCS lead.

In the first game of the first playoff series in the still nascent history of professional baseball in Tampa Bay, the Rays did what they have done all season long.

They got a better-than-good start from "Big Game" James Shields. Their bullpen overpowered. The Rays hit when they had to -- and a little more than that, courtesy of first-year phenom Evan Longoria -- they played flawless defense and, in the end, they won again, too.