SB Nation Tampa Bay - Rays Beat Blue Jays 5-3, As B.J. Upton Steals Homehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2011-03-30T16:14:11-04:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18448342011-03-30T16:14:11-04:002011-03-30T16:14:11-04:00Lineup Features Many Rays Starters For Final Tuneup
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<p>Today’s lineup, per <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_03_30_tormlb_tbamlb_1"><span class="caps">MLB</span>.com</a> features a full crew of starters, the one exception being Elliot Johnson taking Ramirez’s spot, pushing Reid Brignac to the DH slot:</p>
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<p>B.J. Upton, CF<br>
Johnny Damon, LF<br>
Evan Longoria, 3B<br>
Ben Zobrist, RF<br>
Kelly Shoppach, C<br>
Sean Rodriguez, 2B<br>
Dan Johnson, 1B<br>
Elliot Johnson, SS<br>
Reid Brignac, DH</p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/3/30/2081345/lineup-features-many-rays-starters-final-tuneupBradley Woodrum2011-03-30T14:52:10-04:002011-03-30T14:52:10-04:00Rays Without Manny Today
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<p>Despite earlier suggestions that the Rays would feature their veritable opening day lineup today, it appears now Manny Ramirez is not with the team today. Marc Topkin is <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/manny-not-rays-game-personal-reasons">reporting</a> that Ramirez is elsewhere dealing with personal issues.</p>
<p>This has led some writers, such as DRaysBay’s Jason Collette, to suspect Maddon is “hiding” the powerful DH from the division’s pitcher, however unlikely that may be.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/3/30/2081193/rays-without-manny-todayBradley Woodrum2011-03-30T11:58:50-04:002011-03-30T11:58:50-04:00Rays, Blue Jays Square Off At 4:05 PM
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<p>With Grapefruit League action ending yesterday, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> return to Tampa and Tropicana Field today, taking on division opponent and home run kings, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a>.</p>
<p>The Rays finished the spring with a most unusual 14-14-2 record, winning plenty of games later in the spring after starting out rather cold. Meanwhile, perhaps as a sign of the meaninglessness of Spring Training records, the Blue Jays finished the spring with a dandy 16-13 record, despite expectations they will finish in one of the bottom two slots of the AL East Division.</p>
<p><span>Jeff Niemann</span> will toe the mound today for the Rays. Neimann was the Rays number four starter last year, but despite <span>Matt Garza</span>'s depature via a trade to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a>, Niemann remains the fourth starter behind the recently promoted <span>Wade Davis</span>.</p>
<p>Opposing Niemann will be Blue Jays pitcher Jo Jo Reyes, entering his sixth appearance of a strong spring.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Rays manager Joe Maddon has promised a much different lineup from yesterday's half minor league squad, assuring fans the Rays top position players will not only take the field today, but play a lion's share of the game.</p>
<p>First Pitch: 4:05 p.m. ET<br>Radio: 620 WDAE<br>TV: MLB.tv</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/3/30/2332412/rays-blue-jays-square-off-at-4-05-pmBradley Woodrum