The Tampa Bay Rays will finish up their first homestand of the 2021 season Thursday night, when they look to end a two-game skid by taking on the Texas Rangers in the finale of their four-game set. Rich Hill (1-0, 7.20 ERA) will get the start, taking on Jordan Lyles (1-0, 4.50 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 tonight at Tropicana Field.
Rays Starting Lineup
Meadows DH
Arozarena RF
B. Lowe 2B
Diaz 1B
Wendle SS
Margot LF
Brosseau 3B
Mejia C
Phillips CF
Rangers Starting Lineup
Kiner-Falefa SS
Trevino C
Gallo DH
Garcia RF
N. Lowe 1B
Solak 2B
Culberson 3B
White LF
Taveras CF
42 The Number Of The Day
With today being Jackie Robinson Day around Major League Baseball, all uniform personnel on both sides will wear the number 42 on their backs in honor of the Hall of Fame second baseman. It was 74 years ago today that Robinson became the first player to break the color barrier when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. Robinson’s number 42 was retired across Major League Baseball in 1997.
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.
