The Tampa Bay Rays will begin the 2022 regular season Friday afternoon, when the Baltimore Orioles come to Tropicana Field to begin a three-game weekend set. Left-hander Shane McClanahan (10-6, 3.43 ERA in 2021) will make his first Opening Day start, taking on John Means (6-9, 3.62 ERA in 2021). First pitch is scheduled for 3:10.
Rays Starting Lineup
Diaz 3B
Franco SS
Ramirez 1B
Arozarena LF
B. Lowe 2B
Zunino C
J. Lowe DH
Margot RF
Kiermaier CF
Orioles Starting Lineup
Mullins CF
Mountcastle 1B
Mancini DH
Hays RF
Santander LF
Urias 2B
Mateo SS
Chirinos C
Gutierrez 3B
New Numbers For Familiar Rays
A pair of Rays players have changed their numbers for the start of the 2022 season. Shane McClanahan, who wore 62 during his time in the big leagues in 2020 and 2021, has switched to number 18, which was worn by Joey Wendle. In addition, right-hander Luis Patino has gone from number 61 to number 1, last worn by Willy Adames.
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.
