Updated 8:30 p.m. After finding a way to win a 4–3 game at Seattle on Thursday, the Rays will look to continue the team’s streak on Friday night. A victory would give Tampa Bay (16–10) the season series against the Mariners (3–1 so far) for only the second time since 2014.
Tampa Bay has won four straight for the first time this year, and is six above .500 for the first time in 2022. Brandon Lowe is back in the lineup after a day off yesterday. The Rays have all three of their switch-hitters starting, creating a balanced group. Randy Arozarena was switched to DH from left field, as he had a bit knee soreness from an issue in Wednesday’s game in Oakland:
Diaz 1B
Franco SS
Arozarena DH
Lowe 2B
Ramirez LF
Kiermaier CF
Walls 3B
Mejia C
Phillips RF
This is the sixth time this year that the Rays will be using an opener, and Tampa Bay is 4–1 so far. Matt Wisler (1–0 1.50) will be have that role for the third time in 2022, and he’s thrown 3.2 scoreless innings combined in the two previous outings, including two scoreless against Seattle on April 26th.
Josh Fleming (2–3 6.32) will make his sixth appearance. Fleming has had a difficult beginning to 2022, as he has yet to complete four innings as a starter or bulk pitcher. Fleming gave up five runs in the first inning against the Twins in his last outing, and allowed seven unearned runs in the fourth against Seattle in an 8–4 defeat on April 26th. Here’s the Seattle lineup:
Frazier 2B
France 1B
Crawford SS
Suarez 3B
Winker LF
Toro DH
Rodriguez CF
Moore RF
Murphy C
The challenge tonight for Rays hitters will be Logan Gilbert (4–0 0.64). The former Stetson standout threw 5.2 scoreless innings against the Rays at Tropicana Field on April 26th. He allowed one run in his last start against the Marlins, and has thrown 100 pitches or more in consecutive starts.
The Rays have announced that Bullpen Coach Stan Boroski and Field Coordinator Paul Hoover have been cleared to return and will fly to Seattle tonight and re-join the team on Saturday.
On the injury front, Ji-Man Choi (IL, loose bodies in right elbow) was the DH yesterday in an extended Spring Training game in Port Charlotte and will play first base today. He could rejoin Tampa Bay during the road trip if all goes well. Javy Guerra, designated for assignment during the last home stand, has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Durham.
In the minors, Rays affiliates went 3–1 on Thursday night.
Durham (10–17): beat Toronto affiliate Buffalo on the road, 5–4. Josh Lowe was 1-for-1 with three walks and a three-run homer, while Tommy Romero worked shutout innings.
Montgomery (12–11): routed Biloxi 14–5. Greg Jones had two doubles and three RBI, and Grant Witherspoon had three hits, and has seven in two games.
Bowling Green (15–9): fell 3–2 in the ninth inning at Wilmington. Osleivis Basabe doubled and tripled, while Mason Montgomery struck out 10 in five shutout innings.
Charleston (15–9): won 6–2 at Fayetteville. Ben Peoples and Austin Vernon each threw four shutout innings with seven strikeouts.
Coverage on the Rays Radio Network begins at 9 p.m. and Dave and Andy will have the call with first pitch at 9:40.
