The Tampa Bay Rays have surprisingly switched starters in the playoffs. Instead of using their ace, James Shields, for Thursday's Game 5, the Rays will start Scott Kazmir. Shields will go in Game 6 in St. Petersburg, if necessary.

Kazmir has been ineffective recently (like Josh Beckett, Kazmir did not get out of the fifth inning in Game 2), but Kazmir has done well at Fenway Park (3.02 career ERA). And Shields pitches well at home (2.59 ERA this year).

Also, if the Rays need to dig deep into their bullpen because of Kazmir, they have Friday off to recover.

Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston's starter on Thursday, and Kazmir faced each other twice in September.

In the most recent game, Sept. 15, in St. Petersburg, Boston won 13-5. Kazmir lasted 3 innings (6 hits, 9 runs) and got the loss. Dice-K went 5 (3 hits, 1 run) and got the win.

On Sept. 9, at Fenway, Tampa Bay won 5-4. Neither starter figured in the decision. Kazmir went 6 innings (5 hits, 2 runs) and Dice-K went 5 innings (8 hits, 3 runs).

The Rays strategy makes sense. But if Kazmir struggles, then the Red Sox may find the opening they need to get back into this series.

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