The Rays have removed tarps from the upper level of Tropicana Field, which will make approximately 5,000 more seats – some with obstructed views – available for Tuesday's night's deciding fifth game of the AL division series against Texas.
"Gloves off," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "I think it's great. Nice. Well done."
Tampa Bay's first two playoff games this season – Game 1 and 2 losses to the Rangers – drew sellouts of 35,474 and 35,535, respectively.
"We've just got to play a little better baseball," Rays third baseman Evan Longoria said. "I think the quicker that we can jump out and put some runs on the board, you know, the more comfortable the pitching staff is going to feel and in turn the home-field advantage is really going to start to show."
Regular-season capacity at The Trop is 36,973, but that figure has been lowered due to the postseason setup.
"Hopefully, we can find a way to score early and take the crowd out of it," Rangers outfielder Jeff Francoeur said. "We did it both times here. I think that's going to be a key."
Game 5 on Tuesday will mark the first time in their AL division series that Texas and Tampa Bay will play at night.
The previous four games took place during the day, including a noon CDT start Sunday in Texas.
"I thought we got hosed, to be honest with you, with a 12 o'clock start time in the playoffs," Francoeur said. "You shouldn't have that. I think that's something that needs to change.
"I don't think it's so much disrespect," he added. "We get it. They're going to give it to New York. They're going to give it to Philly. It will be nice to play a night game."
Maddon said it felt like being placed in the "loser's bracket" with the 12 p.m. start. The deciding fifth game Tuesday night, featuring aces Cliff Lee and David Price, will start at 8:07 p.m. EDT in St. Petersburg, Fla.
"For baseball guys, I guarantee there will be at least five or six people on this team that won't be up before 12," Francoeur said. "I think we're used to the schedule, so I think it'll be fun."