Pretty big baseball game in Tampa today.
Richard Durrett closes the book on Game 2 by quoting Matt Joyce as saying the crowd at The Ballpark helped the Rangers win.
Jeff Wilson writes about how the Rangers have the ability to score runs without the long ball.
Behind the DMN paywall, Tim Cowlishaw counters by writing that the Rangers are going to need the long ball to win.
Anthony Andro has a piece on the Rangers being confident in Game 3 starter Colby Lewis. Lewis was perhaps the Rangers best starting pitcher in the postseason last year -- yes, even better than Cliff Lee. The Rangers are hoping for some of that 2010 October magic from Lewis.
Durrett writes that Ron Washington is glad he never acted on the complaints of fans/media to move Ian Kinsler from the leadoff spot regardless of Kinsler's batting average and proclivity to popup.
T.R. Sullivan writes that the Rangers are sticking with Mitch Moreland at first base in Game 3 even against a tough lefty.
Joe Maddon is not sticking with his lineup for Game 3, however. Gerry Fraley writes that Maddon is going with Reid Brignac at shortstop over Sean Rodriguez and John Jaso at catcher over ALDS nightmare Kelly Shoppach.
Fraley also reports that the Rays might be without closer Kyle Farnsworth, who is battling a "tender elbow," for Game 3.
Drew Davison's notes talk about David Price's career against the Rangers, the Rays' thoughts on the Rangers' bullpen, and Maddon claiming Shields would start Game 5 -- not Matt Moore -- if we get to that point.
Sullivan and Evan Drellich co-author a notebook about Josh Hamilton moving back to left field with Craig Gentry in center for Game 3, Leonys Martin soaking up experience on the bench so that he may one day man center, Hamilton's thoughts on facing the shift, and potential World Series tickets already selling out.
Jon Machota has a piece on Josh Hamilton looking to bust out at the Trop where he hasn't had much success in the past.
Finally, Gil Lebreton revisits the Michael Young saga in case you had forgotten any of the details.