The Boston Red Sox are looking to avenge an Opening Day eighth-inning bullpen meltdown as they take on the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Friday night.
Boston will send David Price to the mound in the second game of the season, with the lefty looking to build upon the success he found in the 2017 postseason. Injuries limited the 32-year-old last campaign, as he required two separate disabled list stints and ultimately appeared in just 16 regular-season games (11 starts).
Price clearly was revitalized in the postseason, however, allowing just five hits over 6 2/3 innings in his two relief appearances, striking out six while not allowing a run. Coupled with a solid spring training this year, both the ceiling and expectations are high for Price, who won a Cy Young while with the Rays in 2012.
Tampa also will send out a southpaw in Blake Snell. The 25-year-old is beginning his third MLB season and is expected to be an important part of the Rays’ rotation.
Here are your lineups for Red Sox vs. Rays:
RED SOX (0-1)
Mookie Betts, RF
Andrew Benintendi, LF
Hanley Ramirez, 1B
J.D. Martinez, DH
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Rafael Devers, 3B
Eduardo Nunez, 2B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Christian Vazquez, C
David Price, LHP (2017 stats: 6-3, 3.38 ERA)
RAYS (1-0)
Matt Duffy, 3B
Kevin Kiermaier, CF
Carlos Gomez, RF
C.J. Cron, DH
Wilson Ramos, C
Brad Miller, 1B
Adeiny Hechavarria, SS
Daniel Robertson, 2B
Rob Refsnyder, LF
Blake Snell, LHP (2017 stats: 5-7, 4.04 ERA)
