GREAT BASEBALL STRATEGY TONIGHT!!!

I think tonight is one of the most fascinating baseball strategy dynamics we'll ever see.

As you know game 5 of the World Series was suspended the other night for rain tied as we are heading into the bottom of the 6th.

Let's set the stage;

Balfour, a hard throwing righty, is scheduled to face a pinch hitter then the top of the Phillie lineup. The Ray's pitcher is scheduled to bat 4th in the top of the 7th inning.

So the Rays can bring in their young stud Price (a tough lefty) to start it off. If all goes well, and Price gets the Phillies 1-2-3 in the 6th, Price would then be due up 4th, so in theory if the Rays get a guy or two on he would have to be pinch hit for. In effect, wasting him for only one inning, and in the bottom of the 7th, Utely and Howard would be up, both lefties that Price MUST face. you can't double switch Price in, since the Rays 5th hitter made the last out, and he's not coming out of a tie game.

So what do the Rays do? I see only 2 choices.

1- Leave Balfour in to face the pinch hitter, and unless he lets a runner on, roll the dice that he can get Jenkins, Rollins and Werth 1-2-3...not a bad option if you ask me.

2-And the option I may like but we'll never see, is bring in Price and double switch him into the number 7 slot in the lineup, in essence he would bat 2nd in the 7th inning. This way you won't be forced to pinch hit for him in a big spot...if the leadoff batter gets on he bunts, if not he's up with 1 out and no one on.

You'll never see the risky option 2 as a choice, and I bet even option 1 is to much of a risk, and second guess for the Rays.

Expect Price to come in, and Maddon will just hope all works out in the bottom of the 7th. I think if Maddon commits to Price in the bottom of the 6th no matter what the situation is in the top of the 7th Price must bat. You can't use him only for 1 inning. Hope he can give you 3 strong (6,7,8 inning) and figure out a way to get one run and turn it over the pen for the 9th.

Either way, it's a fascinating story line to be in the middle of a clinching World Series game and to be able to dissect the strategy over time.

I'm rooting for Maddon to make the right call, and enjoy a 3 inning baseball game. Keep the kids up, who knows when the next time they'll be awake to see the final out of a world series game before 10pm.