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The Rays exit Opening Weekend with a 2-1 Record and in first place, tied with the Yankees and [checks notes] the Orioles? Yeah, okay. Anyway, the Rays pulled off a successful opening series thanks to big hits all weekend from Ji-Man Choi (including a homer from the right side), a big triple Saturday and a scrappy infield single on Sunday from Brandon Lowe, and a walk off triple on Sunday from Kevin Kiermaier.
“New year, same mentality”
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 26, 2020
- @KKiermaier39 pic.twitter.com/i6bFl7jZIH
The Blue Jays have to just be gutted after a heartbreaking loss on Sunday. It was no doubt made worse by an injury to Ken Giles.
.@BlueJays' Ken Giles left Sunday's game with right elbow soreness.https://t.co/9WwQfplAFU
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 26, 2020
Oddsmakers say the Rays, Bucs, and Lightning all have legitimate shots at a title.
Marc Topkin wonders whether the Rays were wise in their use of social media to highlight social justice on Opening Day.
This is why we won’t be hearing Yoshi’s song.
Apparently that was a one-time thing for the Tsutsugo song from his @ydb_yokohama days. He told #Rays he’d prefer it not be played here. https://t.co/FpHZjGEWLO
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 26, 2020
Austin Meadows has returned to workouts.
#Rays notes: Meadows is working out in Port Charlotte which is a big step towards returning, Thompson has an emotional and distanced reunion with dad, Tsutsugo’s song from @ydb_yokohama is playing at Trop, and a funny line about cheating #Astros https://t.co/wDXghRv3BG
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 26, 2020
Corey Kluber left his Rangers debut with shoulder tightness.
Multiple Marlins test positive.
Old friend Nate Eovaldi switched jerseys mid-game in Boston’s Opening Day tilt against the Orioles.
Daniel Bard earned a win in his first game in the bigs since 2013.
Shohei Ohtani’s first start since 2018 did not go as well.
Shohei Ohtani’s day is done. He did not record a single out over 30 pitches, none of which were splitters. His fastball velocity averaged 92.9 mph.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 26, 2020
Justin Verlander has a forearm strain.
The report that I’m currently missing the rest of the season is not accurate. There is a forearm strain... I’m hopeful that with some rest it will heal and I’ll be able to return soon. Thank you for all the well wishes.
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) July 26, 2020
Cleveland’s Mike Clevinger is not a fan of the new extra inning rule. And we feel for him. We hated it too, before we loved it.
Just kidding awesome rule https://t.co/JvUuUEq0ia
— Shane McClanahan (@Sugar_ShaneM) July 26, 2020