The Tampa Bay Rays head north to Dunedin on Saturday, where they will face their AL East rivals the Toronto Blue Jays. According to the inimitable Neil Solondz (Rays Radio), many of the Tampa Bay regulars played Friday in Port Charlotte, and are not on the trip as they also are likely to play at home on Sunday and Monday.
The New What Next
Chase Whitley, who is expected to start in his next two appearances, will take the mound for the Rays, opposite of Matt Latos. Whitley will be followed by Ryan Garton, Austin Pruitt and Jeffrey Walters. Among those scheduled to take the field behind Whitley are Nick Franklin, Luke Maile and Mallex Smith, as well as prospects Jake Bauers, Casey Gillaspie and Daniel Robertson.
Rays 3/18/17 Starting Lineup
Franklin 2B
Smith CF
Bauers LF
Gillaspie 1B
Maile C
McKenry DH
Robertson SS
Leonard 3B
Varona RF
Whitley RHP
Noteworthiness
— While he is expected to start the season with Triple-A Durham, Jake Bauers is making quite an impression on Rays skipper Kevin Cash and others.
To all the baseball fans out there..remember the name Jake Bauers..dude is an absolute stud. Show hair. Show swing. Very impressive
— Kevin Kiermaier (@KKiermaier39) March 17, 2017
Bauers, just 21 and yet to play above the Double-A level, has hit three long homers, walked six times in 30 plate appearances, and slashed .435 BA/.533 OBP/.913 SLG/1.446 OPS so far this spring.