Tampa Bay will take the field in Detroit for the rubber match of this three game set, this afternoon at 1:05 PM. Coming off of a thrilling victory yesterday, Jeff Niemann (1-2 with a 3.48 ERA lifetime against the Tigers) will take the hill, in an attempt to keep this very dangerous Tigers team at bay. Tampa Bay is riding high on momentum that will take them to Boston tomorrow to face a very beleaguered (as of now) 1-5 Red Sox team.
Jeff “The big Dayquil” Niemann has never pitched in a game below 45 degrees. Then again, that shouldn’t be a factor today; the high is expected to be about 53. More pertinent are his career numbers in April, where he is 5-6 with a 4.38 ERA. Niemann also has better stuff at night than in the day, so one would imagine that the Tigers are going to try to pounce on him early. To his credit, in his last start at Comerica Field on August 30, 2009, Niemann went seven strong innings, giving up only two runs (both earned).
Tampa Bay will throw Jeff Keppinger back into the DH spot in the lineup after going one-for-two, with a run scored yesterday. Rookie lefty, Drew Smyly, will take the bump in his first major league start for the Tigers. Today’s starting lineup is below. As always, Let’s Go Rays!
Rays 4/12/12 Starting Lineup:
Jennings CF
Pena 1B
Longoria 3B
Keppinger DH
Zobrist RF
Rodriguez ss
Lobaton C
Johnson 2B
Joyce LF
Niemann P