Despite getting beat up Wednesday night, the Tampa Bay Rays can still finish off a series win in Boston with a victory in the finale of the three-game series at Fenway Park. Drew Rasmussen (1-1, 4.15 ERA) will get the start in what should be a bullpen day for Tampa Bay, taking on Tanner Houck (0-2, 2.45 ERA) just recalled from Triple-A Worcester. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10.
Rays Starting Lineup
Lowe 2B
Franco SS
Cruz DH
Meadows LF
Wendle 3B
Diaz 1B
B. Phillips RF
Kiermaier CF
Zunino C
Red Sox Starting Lineup
Hernandez 2B
Duran CF
Bogaerts SS
Devers 3B
Martinez DH
Renfroe RF
Plawecki C
Gonzalez 1B
Cordero LF
Kiermaier Returns To Starting Lineup, Evan Phillips Called Up To Make Debut
The Rays will have their Platinum Glove center fielder back in the starting lineup, as Kevin Kiermaier will hit eighth today against Boston. Kiermaier left Saturday’s game against Baltimore with knee soreness after just three innings, though he did come in as a defensive replacement in Tuesday night’s win over the Red Sox.
In addition, the Rays optioned left-hander Dietrich Enns, who worked 3 2/3 innings in Wednesday’s loss, back to Triple-A Durham, and selected the contract of right-hander Evan Phillips from Durham.
Phillips, who signed a minor-league deal with the Rays August 4 after being released by the Baltimore Orioles, appeared in two games with the Bulls, including opening one contest. He has no record and a 2.70 ERA since coming to the Rays organization, allowing one run on four hits in 3 1/3 innings. Between Durham and the Orioles top minor-league affiliate in Norfolk this season, Phillips is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA.
The 26-year-old has spent parts of three seasons with the big leagues with Atlanta and Baltimore, compiling a record of 1-3 and a 7.50 ERA in 8 appearances.
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
