The Tampa Bay Rays (81-64) will take on the Baltimore Orioles (58-87) in the first game of a three game set tonight in Baltimore. Don’t let the Orioles sub .500 record deceive you, there indeed is some pop in their bats. Also, don’t let Buck Showalter’s admiration of the Rays cloud your mind, his Orioles will be out to play spoiler this week. Niemann (9-7, 4.07 ERA), who is coming off of a pair of rough starts against the Rangers, will take the mound against lefty Zach Britton (9-9, 4.33 ERA). The Rays stand to make up another half game against the Red Sox who have the day off. Our boys could find themselves just 3.0 games back in the wildcard race by nights end.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fy0ZXnQAvWM] Video courtesy of the St. Petersburg Times Heater Blog
The big news of the day is the promotion of LHP Matt Moore from AAA Durham. In turn, the Rays designated reliever Rob Delaney for assignment to make room for Moore on the 40 man roster. The Rays starting lineup is below. As always, Go Rays!
Jennings LF
Upton CF
Longoria 3B
Zobrist 2B
Damon DH
Rodriguez SS
Kotchman 1B
Lobaton C
Guyer RF
Niemann RHP