The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays don’t have much to play for as both teams are just about out of contention. That still might not take away from one of baseball’s hottest rivalries.
The Sox and Rays will open a four-game series Friday night at Tropicana Field, and it marks the first time the two clubs have met since late July where they were none too pleased with each other at the completion of the series.
Much of that stemmed from Rays starter Chris Archer’s comments about Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz’s home run trot. Ortiz took Archer deep on July 27, and the Tampa Bay right-hander blasted Ortiz after the game, saying the DH took too long to round the bases. Fittingly, Archer will start Friday night’s opener.
That could be good news for Ortiz. He’s enjoyed plenty of success against Archer in his career. Ortiz enters Friday’s tilt with a .385 (5-for-13) batting average against the starter with the home run and eight RBIs. Ortiz isn’t alone, though. Outfielder Daniel Nava also sees the ball well against Archer. He’s 3-for-7 with a homer and three runs driven in against the righty.
Anthony Ranaudo will make the start for the Red Sox to open the Labor Day weekend series.
Red Sox (58-75)
Brock Holt, SS
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Daniel Nava, RF
Mookie Betts, CF
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Christian Vazquez, C
Anthony Ranaudo, RHP (2-0, 4.50 ERA)
Rays (65-69)
Desmond Jennings, CF
Ben Zobrist, 2B
Matt Joyce, LF
Evan Longoria, 3B
James Loney, 1B
Wil Myers, DH
Yunel Escobar, SS
Ryan Hanigan, C
Kevin Kiermaier, RF
Chris Archer, RHP (8-6, 3.09 ERA)
