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Today the Rays travel a few hours south to play in the earliest inter-league game in franchise history as they take on the Miami Marlins at 7:05. Joining the Rays as they head to South Beach is the first player from the Rays infamous 2011 draft that was supposed to be one of the most important days in team history, Mikie Mahtook.
Given that this is a National League game with many pinch hitting opportunities to come, will he get his first MLB at bat tonight?
#Rays Mahtook said his mom + sisters had just gotten to Gwinnett for his minor-league opener, now flew down to Miami to see tonight's game
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 10, 2015
Here's their starting lineup:
#Rays lineup: Kiermaier cf, Souza rf, Cabrera ss, Longoria 3b, Jennings lf, Dykstra 1b, Forsythe 2b, Rivera c, Geltz p
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 10, 2015
The Durham Bulls played their first game of the regular season yesterday and Mahtook went 0-4 with a strikeout in it. He was called up as they placed John Jaso, their MLB leading, 9th player on the disabled list.
Here's all the players on the DL for the Rays
- Alex Colome
- Matt Moore
- Nick Franklin
- Burch Smith
- Drew Smyly
- Alex Cobb
- John Jaso
- James Loney
- Jake McGee
They Rays also made a surprising announcement about today's starter as it was highly expected that either Erasmo Ramirez or Matt Andriese would receive the start, but then it was revealed that Steve Geltz would go to the mound for the Rays.
Geltz has pitched in 256 professional games, never starting one, and also has only gone more than three innings, once. The Rays likely strategy is to use Geltza for the first two innings, then pinch hit for him the third (or when he first comes to bat). Then they'll probably use both Andriese and Geltz later in the game.
Drew Smyly made his first rehab performance last night, throwing two perfect innings, recording a strikeout.
In other minor league news, the Rays have released Luke Bailey, and James Harris has signed with the Athletics
#Rays release C Luke Bailey, 2009 4th-rd who spent bulk of past three seasons at High-A Charlotte, batting .207/.253/.332 in 461 PAs
— Matt Eddy (@MattEddyBA) April 10, 2015
The Marlins are coming into the series winless, after being swept by the Braves and being outscored 16-3 during the three games. Hopefully the Rays can continue their strong pitching and keep the dangerous Marlins' bats at bay.
it's Zombie night for those who are attending tonight's game
Zombie Night is here... tonight at @MarlinsPark! Purchase your ticket package at http://t.co/452qIKNkYR. pic.twitter.com/CCnEYscJUU
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 10, 2015
Also, Jose Canseco is not pleased with someone
Your caught on video return my stereo equipment that you ripped out of my suv yesterday or else.yes this is a threat
— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) April 10, 2015
You have 24 hours plus leave 1k for the damage done to my suv..or else this is you only warning
— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) April 10, 2015
I will come get you my self
— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) April 10, 2015
Go Rays!