Please be "Big Game" James and not "All Fields" Shields today.

With yesterday’s tough loss to the Tigers, the Rays are now 19-25 at Comerica Field in Detroit. Yeesh. They’ve now lost five games in a row at Comerica Field, with their last victory coming off of a Jeremey Hellickson start, way back on August 10, 2010. I think it’s safe to say that we all hope James Shields gets a quality start today. Lord knows that it’s going to be tough enough having to face the 2011 AL MVP, Justin Verlander.

Here are a few fun little facts to fill your brain going into todays game: The Rays will face a reigning Cy Young winner for 20th time in franchise history. They are 6-7 with 6 no decisions in the previous 19 games. That said, under Joe Maddon, the Rays are 3-2 vs reigning Cy Young winners, with victories against King Felix in 2011, Zack Greinke in 2010, and Johan Santana 2007. So yes, beating Verlander is possible. Probable? I’ll leave that up to you to decide.

In other news, when responding to a question regarding putting Jake McGee on the mound to face Miguel Cabrera in the eighth inning yesterday, Joe Maddon insisted that McGee was the right choice. He also mentioned that there really were no good options Vs. Cabrera. Then again, that’s all in the past, and today is, well…today. Moving forward. Todays starting lineup is below for the 1:05 matinee. Vogt will step in the DH spot for the ailing Luke Scott.

Tampa Bay Rays (3-1) 4/11/12 starting lineup:

Jennings  CF

Pena 1B

Longoria 3B

Joyce LF

Zobrist RF

Vogt DH

Lobaton C

Rodriguez 2B

Brignac SS

Shields P

By the by, CF BJ Upton will see five innings of work today in Port Charlotte. He is still expected to return from the DL on April 20th (whoooaaaa, 4/20 bro), in time for the Rays home series against the Twinkies.

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