Pending the rain holds off, the Rays will play in Port Charlotte today, hosting the hated rival Red Sox. Via Marc Topkin:
Lineup:
Zobrist 2B
Damon DH
Longoria 3B
Ramirez LF
Joyce RF
Upton CF
D. Johnson 1B
Brignac SS
Jaso CSonnanstine P
Other Rays pitchers slated for the bullpen: right-handers Rob Delaney, Mike Ekstrom, Matt Bush, Brandon Gomes, and left-hander Alex Torres. (yikes)
This will be Reid Brignac 's first game back in the line up after missing a week with a tight groin. Ben Zobrist just joined the Rays yesterday after missing a week with a sore right ankle.
Today will the the clubs first look at former LF Carl Crawford in Boston Red. On the bright side, this will be Boston's introduction to Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon in Tampa Navy. Bittersweet.
The Rays will be facing Daisuke Matsuzaka, as well as righties Alfredo Aceves and Michael Bowden, and lefties Andrew Miller and Rich Hill (also yikes). Both teams could be guaranteeing a slug fest.
This game will be on MLB.tv and Sunsports for those near a television. Rain has been coming down all morning, but is expected to clear up around noon.