SERIES: Minnesota Twins At Tampa Bay Rays (4 Game Series)

WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
WHEN: August 2 - August 5, 2010
COVERAGE: Rays - Draysbay, Rays Index;  Twins - Twinkie Town

The Rays, coming off their 2-1 series victory over the New York Yankees this weekend, end their 11 game homestand this week with a series against the Minnesota Twins.  The series has implications on two divisional races as the Twins sit a half-game back behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central while the Rays sit a full game behind the Yankees in the AL East standings.

Another big story for the Rays is prospect Jeremy Hellickson making his first major league start tonight.  The 23-year-old right-hander is one of the more highly-touted prospects in MLB.  Draysbay has a full post up on "Hellickson Day".

And so...get excited. Get very excited. Hellickson has torn the International League to shreds this season (2.71 FIP, 123 K in 120 IP) and he's going to be a big boost for the Rays down the stretch. This outing may only be a cup of coffee, but he'll be back - have no fear.