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It’s Opening Day for the American League Champions!
The Tampa Bay Rays have unveiled their starting lineup for their first game of the season when they will take on the Miami Marlins with the first pitch slated for 4:10.
- Yoshi Tsutsugo, 1B
- Austin Meadows, LF
- Randy Arozarena, RF
- Brandon Lowe, 2B
- Yandy Diaz, 3B
- Kevin Kiermaier, CF
- Willy Adames, SS
- Mike Zunino, C
- Tyler Glasnow, SP
With the Rays playing in a National League ballpark, they will not have the benefit of the designated hitter. Tyler Glasnow is thrust into the starting lineup and hitting 9th. Meanwhile, Yoshi Tsutsugo is back at the top of the order in the leadoff spot, and at his new position of first base while Ji-Man Choi is sidelined following right knee surgery.
Austin Meadows, who seemed back to his All-Star form during the spring, is 2nd and then the postseason legend, Randy Arozarena, bats 3rd. Brandon Lowe will look to shake off his late season slump from 2020 and start off this season as he did last season; he bats cleanup.
Yandy Diaz hits 5th and it’s a question of which Diaz the Rays will be getting this season. The one with the improved launch angle and increased power numbers, or the more contact oriented one who crushes everything on the ground to right field and hits for a high average.
Kevin Kiermaier, who in the Spring said he has never felt better at the plate, is 6th and in center field. Meanwhile, although trade rumors surrounded him leading into the Spring, Willy Adames is still with the Rays and is their starting shortstop, batting 7th on Opening Day.
Mike Zunino returns to the Rays after having his team optioned declined at the end of the 2020 season. He is the team’s starting catcher and hits 8th, in front of Glasnow, who may or may not lift the bat off his shoulder.
How to watch Opening Day
First Pitch will be at 4:10 PM
In market: Bally Sports Sun / Fox Sports Go
Out of market: MLB.tv
Radio: RaysBaseball.com/Radio & WDAE
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Alternative coverage: ESPN+ | FUBO TV (check your listings)
And if you have read everything on the site and need to pass the time waiting for the game to begin, you can check out the latest Rays swag on Fanatics, which has free shipping today for $24 in spend.