Roger Mooney covers the Tampa Bay Rays for The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8. He has covered the Rays since their first season in 1998, including 11 years for the Bradenton Herald. Roger has also covered Florida, South Florida and Florida State football, the Bucs and the Lightning.
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Posted Oct 3, 2011 by Roger Mooney
Updated Oct 3, 2011 at 02:04 PM

ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG Manager Joe Maddon said he’s “anticipating” closer Kyle Farnsworth to be available for today’s ALDS Game 3 against the Rangers.
“If he says he’s right, he’s been pretty good about it, so I just trust his word and we’ll go from there,” Maddon said.
Maddon has his left-handed lineup in there against Rangers right-hander Colby Lewis, because lefties are hitting .274 this season against Lewis while right-hander are hitting .204.
The lineup is stacked with six left-handers at the bottom, which could pose a problem when the Rangers go the lefties in their bullpen, Michael Gonzalez and Darren Oliver. That’s when Maddon will counter with his right-handers off the bench.
As for Tuesday’s 2:07 p.m. start time for Game 4, Maddon said he expected it.
“It’s not optimal from our perspective, but it doesn’t surprise me,” he said.
Maddon said the Rays play well in the day, so that is not an issue.
“We’ve kind of turned the corner on that, so I’m not upset with it, I just prefer getting the guys a little more rest.”
Here are the lineups:
RANGERS
Kinsler 2B
Andrus SS
Hamilton LF
Young DH
Beltre 3B
Napoli C
Cruz RF
Moreland 1B
Gentry CF
—
Lewis P
RAYS
Jennings LF
Upton CF
Longoria 3B
Joyce RF
Damon DH
Zobrist 2B
Kotchman 1B
Jaso C
Brignac SS
—
Price P
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