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Six inches of snow that fell in New York on Monday, resulting in the Rays/Yankees’ game postponement. (Photo Credit: CBS Sports)

After a game postponement in New York due to snow on Monday, the Tampa Bay Rays will look to play their first road game against the Yankees on this afternoon (weather permitting).

According the Weather Channel, the six inches of snow that fell was the most on an April day in New York since 1982.

Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) listed a few other firsts:

* overall since April 9, 2016, at Baltimore (and their postponement free 2017 was their first such season since 2010);

* due to snow – or technically, wintry mix – since May 2, 2013, in Kansas City;

* in New York since Aug 14, 2011;

* affecting their first road game of the season since April 13, 2004, at New York (having opened the season in Tokyo), and third overall, also April 11, 2003, at New York and April 6, 2009, at Boston.

With the snow, Tampa Bay adjusted its rotation, and will start Chris Archer today, rather than Austin Pruitt, and then Blake Snell on Wednesday.

The New What Next

Archer (0-0, 6.00 ERA) will pitch opposite of Jordan Montgomery (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Archer came away with a no-decision on Opening Day after he allowed four runs over six innings. He struck out six. Archer settled down after allowing three early runs and cruised through the next four frames before he was penalized the third time through the order. The right-hander efficiently carved through Boston’s lineup — at one point retiring eight consecutive batters — by forcing contact as opposed to depending solely upon strikeouts. One wonders if he’ll approach the Yankees similarly on Wednesday. In nine career starts in the Bronx, the right-hander is 3-3 with a 3.13 ERA. He went 1-2 with a 4.24 ERA in four 2017 starts vs. the Yankees.

Montgomery will make his season debut for the Yankees on Monday, after making 29 starts last season as a rookie. Montgomery walked 51 over 150 innings of work last season, but also struck out 144. All told, he finished sixth in the race for the AL Rookie of the Year. He did not pitch in the postseason last year for New York. Montgomery relies primarily on a whiffy 81 mph 12/6 curveball, and a 92 mph sinker. He will also mix in an 85 mph changeup with cut action, a 92 mph fourseam fastball with good “rising action,” and an 86 mph slider. He has never faced the Rays.

You can read more about the series in our preview.

Rays 4/3/18 Starting Lineup

Duffy 3B
Kiermaier CF
Gomez RF
Cron 1B
Ramos DH
Hechavarria DH
Sucre C
Robertson 2B
Refsnyder LF
Archer RHP

Noteworthiness

— The Rays will field a very interesting, right-handed heavy lineup today against Montgomery, with Wilson Ramos hitting fifth as the DH, and Jesus Sucre behind the plate.

— The pitching schedule for the rest of the week will look as follows:

Thursday: Bullpen
Friday: Off
Saturday: Faria
Sunday: Bullpen

According to Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) the Rays could go back to Archer on Sunday, or have him pitch the first game in Chicago

Adjusting the rotation means both Archer and Snell, who have traditionally struggled in Boston, would not have to pitch there.

In addition, the Rays would have a day off after the first bullpen day, and could have Archer following the second bullpen outing.

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