Joey Johnston

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon always emphasizes living in the moment. Sure enough, the Rays did what it took to nail down Thursday night’s 4-2 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the World Series.

But even as the Rays got the split before heading to Philadelphia, even as the sold-out Tropicana Field crowd of 40,843 roared its approval, it was difficult to not consider something else.

The future.

Afterward, the Rays talked excitedly about the franchise’s first World Series victory.

But when you look at the Rays’ lineup — and especially the pitching staff — it’s not a stretch to suggest this might be the first of many Tampa Bay triumphs at the World Series.

Right-hander James Shields was his usual bulldog self, battling two outs deep into the sixth inning with a shutout. They call him “Big Game’’ James for his ability to deliver in the clutch. It figures. He’s the old man of Tampa Bay’s pitching staff.

He’s 26.

“To me, it’s kind of scary,’’ Shields said. “I don’t think a lot of people understand where we’ve come from and how far we’ve come along. It’s going to be fun.

“All the starters have talked to each other and we said, ‘Man, five or so years from now, we could still be together really doing this thing. The good news is we all get along and we feed off of each other.’’

Thursday night was a reminder that Tampa Bay’s deep starting staff is about to get even deeper.

Left-hander David Price, 23, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2007 who began this season with Class A Vero Beach in the Florida State League, entered with two outs in the seventh inning after Dan Wheeler had taken over for Shields.

Price was protecting the 4-0 lead.

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He finished the game.

Twice, Price faced Phillies slugger Ryan Howard.

Twice, Price struck out Howard.

“I was nervous, very nervous,’’ Price said. “I usually don’t even sweat out there. My hat, it looked like I went swimming in it.’’

Although Price, the 6-foot-6 rookie, squandered the shutout on a two-out homer by pinch-hitter Eric Burtnett in the eighth inning — and another came home on a ninth-inning error by Evan Longoria — he looked completely in control.

“This is a special guy,’’ Maddon said.

But he’s no longer a secret weapon. Price closed the door on Tampa Bay’s Game 7 victory against the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series. His fastball hits the high 90s at times. His slider tops out at 89 mph.

“He’s pretty ridiculous,’’ Longoria said.

He was a starter at Vanderbilt, where he earned National Player of the Year honors, and a starter throughout his minor-league career. But in Tampa Bay, he has served in long relief, as a spot starter and also as a late-game closer.

“I think he could revolutionize pitching,’’ Rays left-hander reliever Trever Miller said. “How many lefties in this game do you know who throw 97 miles per hour? With his makeup? I’ve seen guys who have one or the other. He’s going to be so over the top.

“He could pitch anywhere in this game. Eventually, he’s going to fall in as a dominating No. 1 starter. His body bounces back so quick. I’m kind of jealous. I remember those days. He’s just terrific.’’

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