The Tampa Bay Rays have made their decision official, as manager Kevin Cash announced Tuesday that right-hander Zach Eflin will be the team’s starting pitcher for Opening Day on March 28 against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Eflin gets the nod after compiling a 16-8 record with a 3.50 earned run average in 31 starts for Tampa Bay in his first year with the team. He signed a three-year, $40 million deal with the club prior to the 2023 season.
Aaron Civale, Zack Littell, and Ryan Pepiot are also expected to be a part of the rotation, though their order has yet to de betermined. Jacob Waguespack, and non-roster invitees Naoyuki Uwasawa and Jake Odorizzi could also be a part of the rotation.
The Rays open the regular season with a seven-game homestand, featuring a four-game series with the Blue Jays and a three-game set with the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers.
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.
