The Tampa Bay Rays will look to come back from Tuesday night’s loss to the New York Yankees to even up this three-game series between the two clubs. Michael Wacha (2-2, 5.16 ERA) will get the start, taking on Nestor Cortes Jr. (0-0, 1.95 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10.
Rays Starting Lineup
Margot RF
Franco SS
Meadows DH
Diaz 1B
Lowe 2B
Arozrena LF
Wendle 3B
Mejia C
Phillips CF
Yankees Starting Lineup
LeMahieu 1B
Torres SS
Odor 2B
Stanton DH
Sanchez C
Gardner LF
Urshela 3B
Allen RF
Florial CF
Cruz Scratched By Rays Before Game
Designated hitter Nelson Cruz was in the Rays’ starting lineup originally for Tuesday night’s contest, but was scratched about three hours before first pitch with what the team is calling a contusion on his right foot.
Manager Kevin Cash said the 41-year-old DH had x-rays taken on his foot, which were negative, and that he could be available to pinch-hit tonight if needed,
Austin Meadows was moved from left field into the DH slot in Cruz’s place, with Randy Arozarena moving from right field to left field, Manuel Margot moving from center field to right field, and Brett Phillips getting the start in center.
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.
