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The Rays announced their ALDS roster this morning, and there weren't many surprises. The Rays did not have the flexibility of creating a line up designed around one game, so extra defensive replacements were left off to favor more pitchers (eleven, to be exact).
Rays Infield
C:Jose Molina
1B James Loney
2B: Ben Zobrist
SS: Yunel Esocobar
3B: Evan Longoria
2B/3B: Kelly Johnson
UTIL: Sean Rodriguez
C: Jose Lobaton
Joe Maddon has opted to roll with only two catchers, leaving Chris Gimenez off the roster. As usual, Zobrist, Johnson, and S-Rod will all be available to play the outfield as well.
Rays Outfield
LF: David DeJesus
CF: Desmond Jennings
RF: Wil Myers
OF: Sam Fuld
OF: Matt Joyce
DH: Delmon Young
There was some speculation as to whether the Rays would keep Kevin Kiermaier on the roster for his base running and defense in Center Field -- the Rays had employed him for three innings of defense over the last two elimination games -- but in the end, veteran Sam Fuld kept his roster slot. Afterall, it was Fenway Park that made him a Legend.
Luke Scott is once again left off the roster, due to the pleasant surprise of Delmon Young and the redundancy of carrying the bats of Scott and Joyce on the same bench. Scott is still travelling with the team, and is expected to be in the dugout.
Rays Pitchers
LHP Matt Moore
LHP David Price
RHP Alex Cobb
RHP Jeremy Hellickson
RHP Chris Archer
RHRP Fernando Rodney
RHRP Joel Peralta
LHRP Jake McGee
LHRP Alex Torres
RHRP Jamey Wright
LOOGY Wesley Wright
Some notable absences from this roster include high-leverage worthy Brandon Gomes, who was limited this year in appearances by injury, and long-men Roberto Hernandez and Cesar Ramos, both somewhat inconsistent and not as trust worthy for the 25-man. Rookie starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi was also left off the roster. He had displayed effective pitches in a few brief outings, but there was not a strong expectation he would make the roster.
This six-man bullpen will be helped by either Chris Archer or Jeremy Hellickson, depending on who Joe Maddon would name as the starter in the hypothetical Game 4. As of now, Hellickson is the expected starter, allowing Archer to possibly piggyback with Moore in the rotation.
It's currently raining in Fenway, so there's a possibility this game will not happen. If so, all kinds of craziness may ensue with the starting rotation.