BOSTON RED SOX (0-0) AT TAMPA BAY RAYS

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1 BOSTON RED SOX (0-0) AT TAMPA BAY RAYS (0-0) RH Chris Archer (10-12, 4.07 in 2017) vs. LH Chris Sale (17-8, 2.90 in 2017) Thursday, March 29, 2018 First Pitch: 4:00 p.m. Location: Tropicana Field TV: FOX Sports Sun Radio: WDAE 620 AM, WGES 680 AM (Sp.) Game No.: 1 (0-0) Home Game No.: 1 (0-0) All-Time Game No.: 3,239 ( ) All-Time Home Game No.: 1,622 ( ) UPCOMING PROBABLE PITCHERS & BROADCAST SCHEDULE Upcoming Games Time (ET) Probable Starting Pitchers (Rays vs. Opp.) TV & Radio Fri., 3/30 vs. BOS 7:10 p.m. LH Blake Snell (5-7, 4.04 in 2017) vs. LH David Price (6-3, 3.38 in 2017) FOX Sports Sun, WDAE 620 AM, WGES 680 AM (Sp.) Sat., 3/31 vs. BOS 6:10 p.m. TBD vs. RH Rick Porcello (11-17, 4.65 in 2017) FOX Sports Sun, WDAE 620 AM, WLCC 760 AM (Sp.) Sun., 4/1 vs. BOS 1:10 p.m. RH Jake Faria (5-4, 3.43 in 2017) vs. TBD FOX Sports Sun, WDAE 620 AM, WLCC 760 AM (Sp.) Mon., 4/2 at NYY 1:05 p.m. TBD vs. LH Jordan Montgomery (9-7, 3.88 in 2017) FOX Sports Sun, WDAE 620 AM OPENING DAY SCHEDULE A detailed schedule of today s events: Parking Lots Open to Fans 11:00 a.m. Media Gate (Gate 4) Opens 11:00 a.m. Rays Clubhouse Opens to Media 11:35 a.m. Red Sox Clubhouse Opens to Media 12:30 p.m. Manager Kevin Cash Available to Media in Dugout 12:40 p.m. Rays Batting Practice 12:55 p.m. Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Available to Media 1:20 p.m. Red Sox Batting Practice 1:55 p.m. Gates Open to Fans 2:00 p.m. Team Introductions 3:34 p.m. National Anthem 3:46 p.m. Ceremonial First Pitch 3:51 p.m. Rays Take the Field 3:58 p.m. First Pitch 4:00 p.m. 21ST OPENING DAY Today will mark the 21st Opening Day in Rays history as they host the Red Sox at Tropicana Field the Rays are in season openers as well as in home openers it is the ninth consecutive season the Rays have opened the schedule at home, tying the A s for the longest active streak in the AL the only major league team with a longer current streak is Cincinnati, where it is tradition the Reds are playing their 28th consecutive Opening Day at home this year. This is the 14th time the Rays have opened the season at home, and they are 7-6 in the previous 13 games after last year s 7-3 win over the Yankees, the Rays are attempting to win back-to-back Opening Day tilts for the first time since winning 5 straight from The Rays will be part of three home openers to begin the season, as they will help open Yankee Stadium (Mon., April 2) and Fenway Park (Thurs., April 5) the following week. RAYS SEASON OPENERS YEAR GAME FINAL WINNER LOSER ATT Tues., March 31 vs. DET L, 6-11 J. Thompson W. Álvarez 45, Mon., April 5 at BAL L, 7-10 M. Mussina W. Álvarez 46, Mon., April 3 at MIN W, 7-0 S. Trachsel B. Radke 43, Tues., April 3 vs. TOR W, 8-1 A. Lopez S. Parris 41, Tues., April 2 vs. DET W, 9-5 V. Zambrano J. Acevedo 38, Mon., March 31 vs. BOS W, 6-4 S. McClung C. Fox 34, Tues., March 30 vs. NYY * W, 8-3 V. Zambrano M. Mussina 55, Mon., April 4 vs. TOR L, 2-5 R. Halladay D. Brazelton 26, Mon., April 3 at BAL L, 6-9 R. López S. Kazmir 46, Mon., April 2 at NYY L, 5-9 L. Vizcaíno B. Stokes 55, Mon., March 31 at BAL W, 6-2 J. Shields J. Guthrie 46, Tues., April 7 at BOS L, 3-5 J. Beckett J. Shields 37, Tues., April 6 vs. BAL W, 4-3 R. Soriano M. González 36, Fri., April 1 vs. BAL L, 1-4 J. Guthrie D. Price 34, Fri., April 6 vs. NYY W, 7-6 F. Rodney M. Rivera 34, Tues., April 2 vs. BAL L, 4-7 J. Hammel J. McGee 34, Mon., March 31 vs. TOR W, 9-2 D. Price R. Dickey 31, Mon., April 6 vs. BAL L, 2-6 C. Tillman C. Archer 31, Sun., April 3 vs. TOR L, 3-5 M. Stroman C. Archer 31, Sun., April 2 vs. NYY W, 7-3 C. Archer M. Tanaka 31,042 * game was played in Japan MAKE IT A NATIONAL HOLIDAY Today is the first time in 50 years that every major league club was scheduled to open on the same day in 1968, a smaller league of 20 teams opened the season together March 29 represents the earliest calendar start to a season in major league history, excluding off-site special events it will also mark the earliest the Rays have ever played their season opener, topping March 30, 2004, when they opened at the Tokyo Dome against the Yankees it will also be the first time the Rays play their season opener on a Thursday. OPENING DAY A SELLOUT For the 13th consecutive season, the Rays home opener is sold out it is the longest current home opener sellout streak among the three major sports franchises in Tampa Bay tickets are available for the remaining three games in the season-opening series at raysbaseball.com, the Tropicana Field Box Office or by calling 888-FAN- RAYS the Rays are in regular season games since 2008 when playing in front of home crowds of 30,000 or more. GATES OPEN WITH PLAYER GREETERS Stadium gates open at 2 p.m. RH Jake Faria and LH Blake Snell will greet fans at Gate 1 for the first few minutes, continuing a Tropicana Field tradition. NATIONAL ANTHEM Local singer, worship leader, actor and teacher Belinda Womack will perform the national anthem Ms. Womack sang the anthem at the very first game in franchise history, here at Tropicana Field on March 31, 1998, backed by a 75-person gospel choir from St. Petersburg she is married to Earl Christy, a member of the Super Bowl Champion 1969 New York Jets the U.S. flag will be presented by Rays season ticket holders and their guests. CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH Will be thrown by Rays special assistant, baseball operations Tom Foley Foley enters his 42nd season in professional baseball and 23rd in the Rays organization he spent the last 16 seasons on the Rays major league coaching staff, the longest-tenured coach in club history he first joined the organization as field coordinator in 1996, and that summer oversaw the Rays first mini-camp and managed Rookie-level Butte he served as director of minor league operations for two years ( ) before joining the coaching staff he moved into his new role last Nov 17. Previous First Pitches at Rays Home Openers 1998 HOFers Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Monte Irvin, Al Lopez 1999 Larry Doby 2000 Wade Boggs 2001 St. Petersburg Mayor David J. Fischer 2002 U.S. Army Gen. Tommy Franks 2003 Jon Gruden and Rich McKay, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2004 Winky Wright, World Junior Middleweight Champion 2005 Racing legend Michael Andretti 2006 Al Lopez Jr., Al Lopez III and Al Lopez IV 2007 Governor Charlie Crist 2008 Governor Charlie Crist and Buccaneers great Mike Alstott 2009 Governor Charlie Crist 2010 Admiral Eric Thor Olson, Commander, U.S. Special Ops 2011 Governor Rick Scott 2012 Jim Dundee, son of late boxing legend Angelo Dundee 2013 Rays Senior Advisor Don Zimmer and his son Tom 2014 Col. Scott V. DeThomas, Commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing 2015 Vincent J. Naimoli, Rays Managing General Partner, George Wendt III, Cheers actor 2017 U.S. Army Gen. Raymond A. Thomas III 20TH ANNIVERSARY Throughout the 2018 season, presented by Tampa General Hospital, the Rays will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of their inaugural 1998 season the festivities will begin on Saturday, March 31, when the Rays host 20 alumni from the 1998 Devil Rays, including Hall of Famer Wade Boggs the alumni in attendance will be honored in a pregame ceremony emceed by Dewayne Staats the ceremonial first pitch will recreate the first pitch in club history, thrown by 1998 Opening Day starter Wilson Álvarez Mike DiFelice will catch it, standing in for John Flaherty who is unable to attend due to his Yankees broadcasting duties the home plate umpire from that game, Richie Garcia, will also participate... fans will receive a reversible 1998 Seat Cushion, presented by GTE Financial a replica of the seat cushion given to fans on March 31, The Rays have created a 20th Anniversary logo that will appear as a patch on the left sleeve of all Rays 2018 regular-season Majestic Athletic jerseys and the right side of all primary New Era caps the home plate-shaped patch features the number 20, a sunburst and a variation of the original fish all in the Rays modern colors. On four select home games (March 31, June 9, June 23, Sep 8), the Rays will wear a Majestic Athletic white alternate throwback Devil Rays jersey using the original gradient Devil Rays design, worn from 1998 through 2000, and the 20th Anniversary patch on the left sleeve for those four games plus select home and road games, the Rays will wear a newly designed navy blue New Era retro cap that blends the original and current designs, featuring a large fish

2 emblem on a gradient background and a modified 20th Anniversary patch on the right side. WHAT S NEW AT TROPICANA FIELD The Rays invested $7 million in capital improvements to Tropicana Field over the offseason, with an aim to dramatically overhaul the food, beverage and retail experience this project brings the total investment in Tropicana Field to more than $37 million since 2005, under the current ownership group led by Stuart Sternberg central to these offseason improvements was the Rays partnership with Levy and its retail division, Rank + Rally the Rays and Levy have renovated amenities, updated culinary equipment and invested in new technologies the changes include modernized food halls in the first- and third-base concourses and major updates to the center field experience, including the Porch and the Rays Republic Team Store. New specialty stands include Pressed (Center Field Street), Central Burger (First and Third Base Food Halls), Fresh Mex (Right Field Street) and Rocco s Ball Deli (First Base Food Hall). Coca-Cola Beverages Florida is the new Official Beverage Partner of the Rays, and the exclusive provider of sparkling soft drinks, bottled water and other refreshing beverages throughout the Rays ballpark. Fans will notice several changes to the in-game entertainment at Tropicana Field the Rays will introduce a new in-game host, Angella Sharpe, who spent the last 11 years as in-game host for the NHL s St. Louis Blues the Rays have also installed an organ in left field, which will be played live at each home game to intersperse traditional and modern songs into the game experience. Fans at Tropicana Field and at home can enjoy expanded Rays coverage at the Rays new official blog, Ray Tank (raytank.mlblogs.com) Ray Tank will feature off-the-field, behind-the-scenes content as well as photo galleries from team photographer Will Vragovic. Media and fans alike can on Twitter to receive updates from the Rays Communications department, which will include roster moves, in-game notes and more. The Rays have extended the netting to the ends of both dugouts to improve the safety of fans attending games the green, knotless net provides enhanced visibility for fans seated behind it, replacing the traditional black, knotted nets that previously extended to the home plate end of each dugout all 30 major league ballparks have extended netting to the far ends of the dugouts at Tropicana Field, the best location for autographs is still the railing at the outfield side of both dugouts until the end of batting practice (or 40 minutes before first pitch on days with no batting practice). Shaw Sports Turf installed a new playing surface at Tropicana Field, the sixth surface in 21 seasons. MORE TO CHEER FOR Every time Rays pitchers total 10 SO in a home game, fans can take their ticket stub or seat locator receipt within 7 days to Kane s Furniture to receive a coupon for two free tacos and chips at participating area Tijuana Flats locations fans who did not attend the game may obtain a voucher at KanesStrikeout.com to be used in lieu of a game ticket. Once again in 2018, when the Rays score 6 or more runs (home or away), Rays fans get 50 pct. off their entire online order the next day at papajohns.com by using promotional code RAYS6 not valid with any other discounts valid online at participating Papa John s locations in the Tampa Bay and Central Florida markets. If a Rays player hits a 4th-inning home run (home or away), fans receive $100 off a set of four select new tires the next day at any Florida Kauffman Tire location. SECURITY CHANGES FOR MEDIA Please be aware that due to new requirements introduced by Major League Baseball, media credentials will be scanned at various points at every major league ballpark at Tropicana Field, per league mandate, this includes at Gate 4, both clubhouse entrances pregame, field access and the press box we appreciate your patience. PARKING PRIMER New in 2018, gameday parking at Tropicana Field can be purchased by credit card or Rays Card only for increased efficiency, cash is no longer accepted at Rays-owned parking lots the latest, most secure mobile technology will be used to swipe credit cards parking is $15 today, and an early Happy Hour tailgate rate of $12 is available from 11 a.m. 1 p.m. for other home games, rates range from $15 to $20 per vehicle, depending on game date parking passes can also be purchased in advance at the box office or online at raysbaseball.com/parking. For the 12th consecutive year, the Rays will continue to provide carpoolers access to free parking in team-controlled lots all vehicles with four or more people park for free on all Sunday games in Lots 2, 6 and 7 for all other games, the first 100 cars with four or more will park for free up to one hour before game time all parking is subject to availability. FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE The St. Petersburg Baseball Shuttle that runs for each home game from downtown to Tropicana Field has a special schedule for today the free shuttle service will begin at 2 p.m. until one hour after the game is over, with shuttle service approximately every 5 minutes the stops are 2nd St. S. between Central Ave. and 1st Ave. S. (under the pedestrian bridge connecting the office tower and parking garage) as well as 16th St. S. just south of 3rd Ave. S. for more info and the shuttle schedule for all other home games, visit stpetetrolley.com. PACK A LUNCH The Rays continue to be the only major pro sports team in Florida to allow fans to bring food and select beverages to games. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE All fans attending the Rays opener will receive a Rays Schedule Magnet, and 20th Anniversary Cowbell, both courtesy of Tropicana, while supplies last for a 12th consecutive season, the Rays game program, Inside Pitch, is available for free to all fans Issue 1 features Chris Archer on the cover, with a Joey Johnston profile entitled Archer 2.2 Inside Pitch includes a roster, scorecard, ballpark directory, trivia and more exclusive content. VALUE-LADEN SPECIALS ALL SEASON LONG The Rays will offer fans ticket promotions for home games Monday through Friday for the 2018 regular season, presented by Tampa General Hospital visit raysbaseball. com/promotions or raysbaseball.com/specials for up-to-date information. Salute to Service Monday, presented by Suncoast Credit Union The Rays offer Military, Teachers and First Responders two free tickets to seven Monday home games and additional bonus dates throughout the season affiliation is verified by ID.me. Ê Ê $2 Kids Tuesdays, presented by Morgan Auto Group Tickets for kids 14 and under are $2 with the purchase of a full-price adult ticket hot dogs are also $2, presented by Kayem Franks, at every Tuesday home game. Senior Special Wednesdays, presented by Duke Energy Press Level tickets for fans 60 years of age or older are only $15 present photo ID upon stadium entry. Ê Ê $19.98 Ticket Combo, presented by Coca-Cola For all Thursday home games, fans may purchase a Press Level ticket that includes a 20-ounce Coca-Cola bottled beverage and chips for $ Ê Ê $7.11 Fridays, presented by 7-Eleven For all Friday home games, fans may purchase Upper Level tickets for only $7.11 to take advantage of this special price, fans should visit a participating local 7-Eleven store and pick up the Rays Friday night discount coupon each coupon will be good for up to four tickets. Family Fun Days, presented by Tampa General Hospital Sundays feature free parking for cars with four or more passengers and a variety of postgame activities for kids concourse activities are complimentary for kids 14 and under. MOUND VISIT LIMITS & OTHER RULE CHANGES To avoid disruptions in the game and to keep the pace moving, teams will be limited to six mound visits per game visits by catchers and infielders count toward the limit if the player both leaves his position and confers with the pitcher remaining visits for each team must be shown in the stadium as a countdown an umpire will attempt to stop a player, coach or manager if the mound visits limit has been reached if the player disregards the umpire, he will be ejected, and if a coach or manager steps out of the dugout after the limit is reached, a pitching change must immediately be signaled the rule stating a pitching change must be made for a coach/ manager second mound visit in an inning still applies exceptions that do not count as mound visits: a dead ball (e.g. an umpire hit in the mask), a signal cross-up if the team has already reached six visits (it will count toward the six if that number is not yet reached) and communication between players while the ball is in play or natural end of play (unless a player follows the pitcher back to the mound) an extra mound visit is applied for each extra inning, and they do carry over. Warmup Pitches/Inning Breaks Pitchers are no longer guaranteed eight warmup pitches the home plate umpire will stop the pitcher from making additional warmup pitches with 20 seconds remaining on the between-innings clock. Bullpen Carts May be used again in 2018, at the home club s discretion, but must be offered to both teams if they do Tropicana Field will not feature bullpen carts. Batter s Box Rules Umpires are not expected to enforce batter s box rules (automatic strike on batters for stepping out) this rule is enforced by video review and violating players are notified. CAN T MAKE IT? TUNE IN Today will be the first of 159 Rays games televised by FOX Sports Sun in 2018, with Dewayne Staats and Brian Anderson in the booth Staats, the Rays play-by-play voice since the inaugural 1998 season, enters his 21st season with the Rays Anderson enters his eighth season as full-time color analyst, and 10th on the broadcast team new this year is Michelle Margaux, in-game reporter and host of select Inside the Rays episodes Orestes Destrade and former Rays pitcher Doug Waechter return as analysts, while Rich Hollenberg is back for his fifth season as host. FOX SPORTS SUN TV COVERAGE FOX Sports Sun has a full day of coverage planned for today live coverage will start at 3 p.m. with a special, one-hour pregame show from Tropicana Field Staats, Anderson, Margaux, Destrade, Waechter and Hollenberg will all be on-site. Ê Ê Tampa Bay Rays Season Preview Show 8:30 a.m. Ê Ê Baseball from the Beginning Tampa Bay marathon 9:00 a.m. Ê Ê Tampa Bay Rays Season Preview Show 2:30 p.m. Rays LIVE Pregame Show 3:00 p.m. Opening Day: Red Sox at Rays 4:00 p.m. Rays LIVE Postgame Show 7:00 p.m. Tampa Bay Rays Season Preview Show 11:30 p.m. Ê Ê After Midnight with Rays game replay 12:00 a.m. STEADY IN THE BOOTH Andy Freed and Dave Wills return to the Rays radio booth for a 14th season together among all 30 major league broadcast teams, only two have a longer tenured full-season radio broadcast duo than Dave and Andy: Detroit (Dan Dickerson & Jim Price entering 16th season together) and San Francisco (Jon Miller & Dave Flemming entering 15th season together) Neil Solondz begins his seventh season on the Rays Radio team as host of the pregame and postgame shows, fillin play-by-play voice as well as This Week in Rays Baseball. On the Spanish-language side, Enrique Oliu is entering his 20th season of broadcasting Rays games on the radio and Ricardo Taveras begins his 16th campaign they can be heard for 135 games on

3 WGES 680 AM (Mon. Fri.) and WLCC 760 AM (Sat. Sun.) in addition, WDYZ 990 AM Orlando will air a majority of these games. K S FOR KIDS For every strikeout Chris Archer records this season, he will donate $25 to the local nonprofit organization Starting Right, Now its mission is to combat youth homelessness through a variety of personal development programs matching his donation this season are the Rays Baseball Foundation and Crown Automotive Group this is the fourth consecutive year Archer has conducted the strikeout campaign last year, his 249 SO contributed $20,000 to Starting Right, Now he also makes a point to attend the organization s other events, such as the poetry slam or holiday party, in order to cultivate meaningful relationships with the kids any Rays fan or local business can join the strikeout challenge by making a pledge at raysbaseball.com/archer. VICTORIES FOR VETERANS For the third consecutive season, Duke Energy will contribute $1,000 for every Rays regular season win to Tampa Bay-area agencies working to support veterans in our community as part of the program, veteran organizations can apply to Duke Energy to receive a portion of those funds. BASEBALL NOTES ROSTER BREAKDOWN Yesterday the Rays made a series of roster moves to finalize their Opening Day 25-man roster: Rookies (4): Yonny Chirinos, Making Rays Debut (7): Andrew Kittredge, Ryan Yonny Chirinos, C.J. Cron, Yarbrough, Joey Wendle Carlos Gómez, Rob Refsnyder, Denard Span, Joey Youngest: José Alvarado (22) Oldest: Sergio Romo (35) Wendle, Ryan Yarbrough Most ML Service Time: Acquired by Trade (16): Matt Carlos Gómez (10.141) Andriese, Chris Archer, C.J. Most Opening Days: Cron, Matt Duffy, Adeiny Carlos Gómez (11th) Hechavarria, Andrew First Opening Day (7): José Kittredge, Brad Miller, Rob Alvarado, Yonny Chirinos, Refsnyder, Daniel Robertson, Chaz Roe, Sergio Romo, Jake Faria, Andrew Kittredge, Rob Refsnyder, Joey Mallex Smith, Denard Span, Wendle, Ryan Yarbrough Jesús Sucre, Joey Wendle, First Opening Day with Ryan Yarbrough Rays (15): José Alvarado, Yonny Chirinos, C.J. Cron, Matt Duffy, Jake Faria, Carlos Gómez, Adeiny Hechavarria, Andrew Kittredge, Wilson Ramos, Rob Refsnyder, Chaz Roe, Sergio Romo, Denard Span, Joey Wendle, Ryan Yarbrough Drafted by Rays (4): Jake Faria, Kevin Kiermaier, Austin Pruitt, Blake Snell Signed as Int l. Free Agent (3): José Alvarado, Yonny Chirinos, Alex Colomé Signed as Free Agent (2): Carlos Gómez, Wilson Ramos WHO S MISSING The Rays are starting the season with two pitchers on the 10-day DL: righthanders José De León (Tommy John surgery) and Nathan Eovaldi (loose bodies in right elbow) Eovaldi will require arthroscopic surgery, with a timetable for his return to be determined after the procedure prior to this, he had been named to the Rays season-opening starting rotation after recovering from a second Tommy John surgery. MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUTS Right-handed pitcher Yonny Chirinos and left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough will be making their major league debuts this is the second consecutive year the Opening Day roster included multiple players with no major league service time righthander Austin Pruitt and infielder Daniel Robertson did so last year. ROSTER MAKEOVER Only ten players made the Rays Opening Day 25-man roster both last season and this season: pitchers Matt Andriese, Chris Archer, Alex Colomé, Austin Pruitt and Blake Snell, catcher Jesús Sucre, infielders Brad Miller and Daniel Robertson, and outfielders Kevin Kiermaier and Mallex Smith in addition, Matt Duffy, Nathan Eovaldi and Wilson Ramos were on the Opening Day disabled list last season. Only four players remain from the 2015 Opening Day roster or disabled list, which was Kevin Cash s first game as Rays manager: Matt Andriese, Chris Archer, Alex Colomé and Kevin Kiermaier Archer and Kiermaier are the only players remaining from the 2013 postseason roster, the last playoff appearance for the Rays Kiermaier was on the roster for that season s AL Wild Card Game, but not the American League Division Series. UNIFORM NUMBERS Please note these following changes from the spring roster: Yonny Chirinos will wear No. 72, and Rob Refsnyder, acquired on Tuesday from the Indians, will wear No. 8. ROTATION TRANSLATION Prior to Eovaldi s injury, the Rays had planned to open the season with four regular members of the starting rotation and using a bullpen day as needed in place of a fifth starter the recall of Austin Pruitt leaves the Rays pitching staff with three starting pitchers (Chris Archer, Blake Snell, Jake Faria) and a nine-man bullpen, including five long relievers (Matt Andriese, Yonny Chirinos, Andrew Kittredge, Austin Pruitt, Ryan Yarbrough) currently, the Rays plan to have two bullpen days (Sat vs. BOS, Mon at NYY) over their first 5 games. BULLPEN BREAKDOWN Veteran reliever Sergio Romo has made more apps in his career than the other eight relievers combined he has made 570 apps, while José Alvarado, Matt Andriese, Yonny Chirinos, Alex Colomé, Andrew Kittredge, Austin Pruitt, Chaz Roe and Ryan Yarbrough have totaled 427 apps (71 starts). RAYS vs. RED SOX Today will be the first of 19 meetings between the Rays and Red Sox (10 in St. Petersburg, 9 in Boston) this will be the third time the Rays host the Red Sox for the home opener, following March 31, 2003 (a 6-4, walk-off win) and April 5, 1999 (a 4-1 loss) it will also be the third time they play the Red Sox on Opening Day, following April 7, 2009 (a 5-3 loss at Fenway Park) and 2003 (at home) the Rays travel to Boston to play in the Red Sox home opener on Thurs., April 5 the two clubs will meet 10 times before the end of April through April 29, the Rays will play 10 games against the Red Sox and 17 games against other opponents. The Rays went 8-11 against the Red Sox in 2017 (4-5 at home, 4-6 on the road) after going 7-12 in 2016, the Rays have lost consecutive season series to the Red Sox for the first time since they are against Boston since becoming the Rays in The Rays went against the Red Sox in Grapefruit League action they lost both games at home and were in Fort Myers. FROM THE OTHER SIDE The Rays are facing Chris Sale today in 6 starts against the Rays last season, Sale was 4-1 with a 2.66 ERA (40.2- IP, 12-ER) and 66 SO, including at least 12 SO in each of his first 4 starts against them last season his 66 SO were by far the most by a pitcher in a single season against the Rays the previous record was 46, shared by BOS Rick Porcello in 2016 and NYY Roger Clemens in 2001 according to the Elias Sports Bureau, his 66 SO were the most by a pitcher against a single opponent since ARI Randy Johnson (68) in 2001 vs. SD. Sale has averaged SO/9 IP in his career against the Rays (95.2- IP, 143-SO) min. 75 IP, it is the highest ratio for any pitcher against a single opponent in the live ball era (since 1920) Randy Johnson owns the next four highest marks. SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN The Rays first 9 games of the season will come against the Red Sox (7) and Yankees (2), the AL East s two postseason representatives in 2017 from April 9 June 13, only four of the club s 19 series are against teams that finished last season at.500 or better the Rays have eight off days through the first 35 games of the season (through May 10). FRANCHISE FIRST With this season s Opening Day start, Chris Archer will become the first pitcher in franchise history to make four consecutive Opening Day starts for the team his fourth Opening Day start will tie James Shields ( , 2012) for the most in club history. Archer is 1-2 with a 3.57 ERA (17.2-IP, 7-ER) in his previous 3 starts on Opening Day he recorded the win on Opening Day last season over the Yankees, and has a chance to become the first pitcher in franchise history to win consecutive Opening Day games the only pitcher in club history with multiple wins on Opening Day is Victor Zambrano (as a reliever in 2002, as a starter in 2004). Archer is one of only three starting pitchers used by the team on Opening Day in the Rays era (since 2008), along with Shields (4) and David Price (3) in 10 seasons as the Devil Rays, eight pitchers made Opening Day starts for the club Archer will be one of five pitchers to start on Opening Day each season from , joining SEA Félix Hernández, LAD Clayton Kershaw, CLE Corey Kluber and ATL Julio Teheran. CASH YOUNGEST AGAIN For the fourth consecutive Opening Day, Manager Kevin Cash (40 years, 113 days) will be the majors youngest manager he edges out Padres skipper Andy Green by almost five months there were nine major leaguers older than Cash in 2017, and two of them Carlos Beltrán and Bronson Arroyo retired after the season Cash s (.469) record is better than any previous Rays manager after their first three seasons Lou Piniella was , Larry Rothschild was and Joe Maddon was Cash and Red Sox Manager Alex Cora were teammates with the Red Sox in 2007 and 2008, helping lead the team to postseason berths in both seasons the Red Sox won the World Series in 2007 and lost to the Rays in the 2008 ALCS Cora is the 3rd-youngest active manager in the majors. YOUTH IS SERVED Only five players on the active roster have turned 30 years old: Sergio Romo (35), Denard Span (34), Carlos Gómez (32), Chaz Roe (31) and Wilson Ramos (30) the average age of the active roster is 28 years, 2 months at 22 years, 312 days, José Alvarado is the youngest Ray to make the Opening Day roster since Matt Moore in STAFF SHUFFLING The coaching staff under Manager Kevin Cash features only two coaches returning to the same position as last season: hitting coach Chad Mottola and bullpen coach Stan Boroski new to the staff are third base coach Matt Quatraro, pitching coach Kyle Snyder and first base coach Ozzie Timmons in addition, Charlie Montoyo moves from third base coach to bench coach and Rocco Baldelli moves from first base coach to the newly created role of major league field coordinator. Including Cash, five former Rays have gone on to manage in the majors Mickey Callaway (Mets), Gabe Kapler (Phillies) and Dave Martinez (Nationals) are current skippers previously, Ozzie Guillén managed the White Sox from and Marlins in Five members of this reconfigured coaching staff once played in the Rays organization: Cash, Baldelli, Mottola (minors), Quatraro (minors) and Timmons. MINOR LEAGUE REPORT In January, Baseball America listed the Rays at No. 5 in its Organizational Talent rankings of minor league prospects, their highest position since 2013 (No. 4) this rating came before the

4 February acquisitions of Anthony Banda, Jermaine Palacios and Nick Solak the publication s Top 100 Prospects included six Rays, a figure topped only by the Braves (8) in addition to Baseball America s rating, the Rays are ranked by MLB.com as the No. 4 farm system in baseball (No. 1 based just on position players), and by ESPN.com at No AND COUNTING The Rays enter the season with a streak of 560 games started by a pitcher under the age of 30, the longest current streak in the majors 35-year-old Erik Bedard on July 3, 2014 at DET was the last 30-plus pitcher to start a game for the Rays entering the season, since June 26, 2006, the Rays have started a pitcher under the age of 30 in 96 pct. (1,795 of 1,869) of their games the Rays have used only 30 different starting pitchers over the last 10 seasons, fewest in the majors. Today s start by the 29-year-old Chris Archer will mark the 16th consecutive season that the Rays Opening Day starter will be 30 years old or younger no other major league club can make that claim in fact, the only Opening Day starter age 31 or older in franchise history was 31-year-old Tanyon Sturtze in ACTIVE STREAKS The Rays ended the 2017 season on a 4-game winning streak, one shy of their longest under Manager Kevin Cash (5, April 22-26, 2015) it was the second time in club history they finished the season riding a winning streak of 4 games or more (5 straight in 2011). Matt Duffy has not appeared in a major league game since Sep 5, 2016 vs. BAL, having missed 188 games since then. Adeiny Hechavarria has not committed an error since July 30 at NYY and enters the season on streaks of 51 errorless games and 179 errorless chances (all as a shortstop) according to Stats LLC, these both rank 3rd in club history for a shortstop Yunel Escobar had errorless streaks of 53 games and 232 chances in 2013 and Chris Gomez had errorless streaks of 52 games and 242 chances in Kevin Kiermaier has reached base safely in a career-high 20 consecutive starts, dating back to Sep 4, 2017 vs. MIN. Wilson Ramos has at least 1 RBI in 6 consecutive games, since Sep 20, 2017 vs. CHC, matching the longest streak of his career (also July 2-8, 2011) it also matched the longest streak by a Ray in Blake Snell enters the season on a scoreless streak of 18 IP at Tropicana Field his last run allowed at home came in the 1st inning on Sep 12, 2017 vs. NYY, on an RBI double by Matt Holliday. UPCOMING MILESTONES Kevin Kiermaier is 3 3B shy of tying Randy Winn (28) for 3rd in franchise history his next steal will tie Jason Bartlett (61) for 8th in club history Wilson Ramos is 1 2B shy of 100 2B for his career, and 6 HR shy of 100 HR Alex Colomé is 1 save shy of tying Fernando Rodney (85) for 2nd in club history, behind Roberto Hernandez (101) Chris Archer is 21 SO behind David Price (1,065) for 2nd in franchise history and 206 SO behind James Shields (1,250) for 1st. LAST YEAR S OPENER In last season s 7-3 win over the Yankees, the Rays scored multiple runs off Masahiro Tanaka in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd innings, making them the first team in modern major league history to reach an opposing starting pitcher for at least 2 ER in each of the first 3 innings on Opening Day, according to the Elias Sports Bureau the Rays became the first team to tag a Yankees pitcher for 7-plus runs on Opening Day since the Orioles scored 8 runs off Roger Clemens in OPENING DAY ODDITIES Other miscellaneous Opening Day facts: Including today s game, the Rays have used 18 players at designated hitter in 21 Opening Day games. The Rays have outscored their opponents, 19-4, in the 9th inning. The Rays have never played an extra-inning game, but have won three games in the bottom of the 9th inning (2003, 2010, 2012). Victor Zambrano is the only Ray with two Opening Day wins (as a reliever in 2002, as a starter in 2004) he remains the only pitcher to record an Opening Day win as a starter and out of the bullpen since CWS LaMarr Hoyt (1981 in relief, 1984 as a starter) and DET Mickey Lolich (1965, 1966, as a starter, 1978 in relief). In their history, the Rays have hit.289 (200-for-691) on Opening Day, have averaged 5.5 runs per game (110 runs in 20 games) and have never been shut out only five teams have longer current streaks without being shut out on Opening Day: the Tigers (last shut out on Opening Day in 1989), Orioles (1988), Yankees (1980), Red Sox (1976) and Mets (1963). YEAR W-L-T ATT , , , , , , SPRING TRAINING RUNDOWN YEAR W-L-T ATT , , , , , ,044 RAYS SPRING TRAINING HISTORY YEAR W-L-T ATT , , , , , ,081 YEAR W-L-T ATT , , , ,511,636 SLICE OF GRAPEFRUIT The Rays finished the spring at , their most wins since 2015 (15), which was Kevin Cash s first season as Rays manager the Rays did not have a winning streak nor a losing streak longer than 2 games Rays pitchers led the majors with a 1.16 WHIP and.226 opp avg. and ranked 4th with a 3.92 ERA Rays hitters tied for 2nd in the Grapefruit League with 9 3B, one shy of the Blue Jays, and ranked 3rd in the Grapefruit League with 29 SB the crowd of 7,985 on March 25 vs. NYY was a record for Rays spring training at Charlotte Sports Park. SPRING THINGS A study for USA Today ranked Charlotte Sports Park as the No. 1 spring training destination for food-and-drink as well as for family friendliness there were rave reviews of the pork nachos and Oreo churros, and the ballpark s Kid Clubhouse playground and affordable prices overall, Charlotte Sports Park ranked by USA Today as the No. 4 spring training destination in Florida. FEBRUARY 17 Acquired 1B C.J. Cron from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for a player to be named (INF Luis Rengifo); designated OF/DH Corey Dickerson for assignment. 17 Acquired minor league SS Jermaine Palacios from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for RH Jake Odorizzi. 20 Acquired LH Anthony Banda and two players to be named from the Arizona Diamondbacks and minor league 2B Nick Solak from the New York Yankees in a three-team trade in exchange for OF Steven Souza Jr. 22 Acquired RH Daniel Hudson, minor league INF Tristan Gray and cash considerations from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for OF/DH Corey Dickerson. MARCH 3 Signed OF Carlos Gómez to a one-year contract; designated INF Ryan Schimpf for assignment. 5 Traded INF Ryan Schimpf to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations. 6 Reassigned INF Grant Kay to minor league camp. 7 Released RH Evan Scribner and RH Dustin McGowan. 9 Reassigned RH R.J. Alaniz, C Nick Ciuffo, RH Edwin Fierro and RH Forrest Snow to minor league camp; optioned RH Brent Honeywell to Triple-A Durham. 10 Reassigned INF Jake Cronenworth and INF Nick Solak to minor league camp. 11 Released LH Dan Runzler; reassigned 1B/OF Joe McCarthy, C Brett Sullivan and RH Ryan Weber to minor league camp; optioned INF Willy Adames, INF Christian Arroyo, 1B/OF Jake Bauers, RH Diego Castillo, RH José Mujica, RH Jaime Schultz, OF Justin Williams and RH Hunter Wood to Durham. SPRING TRAINING LEADERS BATTING PITCHING Games: 21 Johnny Field Games: 10 José Alvarado Avg.*:.345 Kevin Kiermaier Starts: 6 Jake Faria At-Bats: 56 C.J. Cron Wins: 3 Andrew Kittredge Runs: 10 Johnson, Span Losses: 3 Austin Pruitt Hits: 19 Kevin Kiermaier Saves: 1 several Doubles: 6 C.J. Cron ERA**: 2.25 Ryan Yarbrough Triples: 3 Joey Wendle Innings: 19.1 Jake Faria Home Runs: 3 Cron, Gómez Walks: 6 Chris Archer RBI: 11 Cron, Span Strikeouts: 27 Blake Snell Stolen Bases: 4 Mallex Smith * min. 40 AB ** min. 15 IP SPRING TRANSACTIONS 16 Reassigned LH Vidal Nuño to minor league camp; optioned RH Chih-Wei Hu to Durham. 18 Reassigned LH Kyle Bird, C Xorge Carrillo, RH Ian Gibaut, RH Cody Hall, LH Adam Kolarek, C Johnny Monell and RH Colton Murray to minor league camp; optioned LH Anthony Banda and RH Ryne Stanek to Durham. 19 Reassigned INF Andrew Velazquez to minor league camp. 21 Signed C Curt Casali to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. 25 Reassigned OF Jason Coats, INF/OF Micah Johnson, C Adam Moore, INF Kean Wong to minor league camp; optioned RH Austin Pruitt to Durham. 26 Released LH Dan Jennings; reassigned LH Jonny Venters to minor league camp. 27 Acquired INF/OF Rob Refsnyder from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for cash considerations; reassigned C Curt Casali, OF Johnny Field and INF/OF Brandon Snyder to minor league camp. 28 Released RH Daniel Hudson; placed RH José De León (Tommy John surgery) and RH Nathan Eovaldi (loose bodies in right elbow) on the 10-day DL; recalled RH Austin Pruitt from Durham.

5 PLAYER C 1B 2B 3B SS LF CF RF DH Adames Álvarez 3 Arroyo Bauers Boldt Brosseau 3 7 Bruján 14 Cabrera 3 4 Carrillo 28 Casali 15 2 Chester Ciuffo 6 4 Coats Cron Cronenworth De La Calle 1 Duffy 94 Field Fraley 3 7 Fox 11 Gómez 67 8 Gotta 3 6 Gray 5 5 Gregorio SPRING INNINGS PLAYED ( A GAMES) PLAYER C 1B 2B 3B SS LF CF RF DH Gustave 3 2 Haley 3 Hechavarria James 1 Johnson Kelly 19 Kiermaier Law 1 Lowe, B 8 7 Lowe, J 16 Lowe, N 8 Lukes Maris Mastrobuoni 1 McCarthy Miller 38 7 Milone Monell Moore Olmedo-Barrera 13 6 Padlo 21 2 Palacios 12 Peña 4 Ramos PLAYER C 1B 2B 3B SS LF CF RF DH Rengifo 1 Robertson Rodríguez 6 Rondón 2 Russell Rutherford 1 Sánchez 13 7 Schimpf Seibert 1 Smith, Ma Smith, Mi 4 Snyder Solak Span Sucre Sullivan 17 7 Tenerowicz 8 Velazquez Walls 4 4 Wendle Whitley 1 Williams 4 33 Wong TAMPA BAY RAYS SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE DAY DATE OPPONENT SITE R/TV TIME/SCORE W-L-T WINNER LOSER ATT. Fri. Feb 23 Pittsburgh Charlotte County M W, Pruitt (1-0) McRae (0-1) Sarasota W, Chirinos (1-0) Wright (0-1) 5,203 Sat. Feb Fort Myers W L, Elias (1-0) Faria (0-1) 9,466 Sun. Feb Lee County W/F L, Jaye (1-0) Schultz (0-1) 5,461 Mon. Feb 26 Toronto Charlotte County M W, Kittredge (1-0) Dermody (0-1) 3,627 Tues. Feb 27 Baltimore Charlotte County M L, Araujo (1-0) Pruitt (1-1) 2,762 Wed. Feb Lee County W, Yarbrough (1-0) Slegers (0-1) 3,689 Thurs. March 1 Baltimore Charlotte County M L, Mesa (1-1) Schultz (0-2) 2,819 Fri. March 2 Philadelphia Charlotte County M L, Nola (1-1) Colomé (0-1) 3,560 Sat. March Lakeland W W, De León (1-0) Soto (0-1) 6,482 Sun. March York-AL Tampa W/F W, Eovaldi (1-0) Chapman (0-1) 10,303 Tues. March 6 Boston Charlotte County M L, Velázquez (1-0) Hu (0-1) 5,353 Wed. March 7 Baltimore Charlotte County M L, Mesa Jr. (2-1) Banda (0-1) 3,035 Thurs. March Fort Myers T, ,911 Fri. March 9 Minnesota Charlotte County M L, Berríos (1-0) Kittredge (1-1) 3,643 Sat. March Clearwater W W, Jennings (1-0) Neris (0-1) 8,302 Sun. March 11 Minnesota Charlotte County W/F L, Slegers (1-0) Faria (0-2) 4,417 Tues. March Clearwater L, Casimiro (1-0) Pruitt (1-2) 8,286 Wed. March Bradenton W, Chirinos (2-0) Nova (0-2) 6,218 Thurs. March 15 Minnesota Charlotte County M L, Gibson (1-1) Eovaldi (1-1) 4,547 Fri. March Lee County W, Faria (1-2) Berríos (1-1) 5,702 Sat. March Fort Myers W L, Barnes (1-0) Stanek (0-1) 9,903 Sun. March 18 Detroit Charlotte County W W, Archer (1-0) Lewicki (0-1) 6,912 Mon. March York-AL Tampa W W, Colomé (1-1) Warren (0-1) 9,951 Tues. March Sarasota W CANCELLED RAIN Wed. March 21 Boston Charlotte County M/F L, Walden (1-0) Yarbrough (1-1) 6,134 Thurs. March Dunedin W, Kittredge (2-1) Barnes (0-1) 4,356 Fri. March 23 Toronto Charlotte County M W, Kolarek (1-0) Fisk (0-1) Sarasota L, Bundy (2-2) Murray (0-1) 6,192 Sat. March Bradenton W L, Neverauskas (1-1) Pruitt (1-3) 6,146 Sun. March 25 New York-AL Charlotte County W/F W, Kittredge (3-1) Keller (0-1) 7,985 Mon. March Lakeland F T, ,662 Tues. March 27 Detroit Tropicana Field M L, Alcantara (1-0) Colomé (0-1) 5,042 Home Games shaded gray RADIO: WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (W), MLB.com (M) TELEVISION: FOX Sports Sun (F)

6 THURSDAY S STARTER: RH CHRIS ARCHER (10-12, 4.07 ERA in 2017) CAREER MLB BREAKDOWN YEAR W L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO HR Career FRANCHISE FIRST With today s Opening Day start, he will become the first pitcher in club history to make four consecutive Opening Day starts his fourth Opening Day start will tie James Shields ( , 2012) for the most in club history. Is 1-2 with a 3.57 ERA (17.2-IP, 7-ER) in his previous 3 starts on Opening Day he recorded the win on Opening Day last season over the Yankees, and has a chance to become the first pitcher in franchise history to win consecutive Opening Day games the only pitcher in club history with multiple wins on Opening Day is Victor Zambrano (as a reliever in 2002, as a starter in 2004). Will be one of five pitchers to start on Opening Day each season from , joining SEA Félix Hernández, LAD Clayton Kershaw, CLE Corey Kluber and ATL Julio Teheran. SPRING THINGS Was 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA (16-IP, 6-ER) in 5 starts this spring pitched in a minor league game against an Orioles affiliate on March 23 and suffered a right forearm contusion after being struck by a ground ball in the 5th inning (removed as a precaution) threw 30 pitches in a bullpen session on Monday. KING OF THE K His 249 SO last season ranked 4th in the majors behind BOS Chris Sale (308), WAS Max Scherzer (268) and CLE Corey Kluber (268), and ranked 2nd in club history, behind his own record of 252 (2015) he led the majors for a third consecutive year in strikeouts on the slider (179), after recording 152 in 2016 and 179 in 2015 last season he made 9 starts with at least 10 SO, tying the club record he has done that 27 times in his career, most in franchise history, ahead of David Price (23) has not allowed a walk in 8 of those 27 career starts, tying Price for most in franchise history and as many as Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan compiled in his 27-year career. vs. BOSTON Has defeated the Red Sox only twice in 19 starts in his career, and once in his last 18 starts his win on April 14, 2017 was the first of his career at Fenway Park and first win over the Red Sox since Sep 19, 2012 it snapped his 11-game losing streak (0-11 over 15 starts) vs. the Red Sox the longest since SEA/CWS Floyd Bannister (11) from and the longest in Rays history against any single opponent his 12 losses against the Red Sox are his most against any opponent (Orioles, 8), and his 5.45 ERA is 2nd-highest behind Cleveland (5.87, 7 starts) SPLITS SPLIT W L ERA G IP H R ER BB SO Home Road March April May June July August September SPLITS vs. RED SOX SPLIT W L ERA G IP H R ER BB SO Career at Home SPLITS vs. BATTERS SPLIT AB H AVG 2B 3B HR BB SO TB PA vs. LHB vs. RHB SEASON & CAREER HIGHS 2017 CAREER 8.0, 5/10 vs. KC IP 9.0, 3x-last 8/20/15 at HOU 9, 9/8 at BOS H 12, 2x-last 7/8/15 at KC 8, 9/8 at BOS R 9, 2x-last 9/26/15 at TOR 6, 2x-last 9/8 at BOS ER 9, 2x-last 9/26/15 at TOR 6, 5/15 at CLE BB 6, 5/15/17 at CLE 12, 5/21 vs. NYY SO 15, 6/2/15 at LAA 3, 4/24 at BAL HR 4, 4/8/16 at BAL -- CG 3x-last 8/20/15 at HOU -- SHO 3x-last 8/20/15 at HOU 2G, 2x-last 6/17 6/23 Win Streak 6G, 5/17/15 6/23/15 5G, 9/2 9/24 Loss Streak 7G, 9/6/15 4/20/16 MR. DURABLE Made 34 starts last season, tying BAL Kevin Gausman for the major league lead and tying the club record (Archer in 2015, David Price in 2011, Scott Kazmir in 2007) has made at least 30 starts in four straight seasons, one of two Rays pitchers all-time to do that (also Shields, six, ) is the third Rays pitcher with three straight years of 200 IP, joining Shields (six, ) and Price (three, ) is one of five pitchers to throw at least 200 IP in each of the last three seasons, along with Max Scherzer, Jeff Samardzija, Chris Sale and Corey Kluber since June 1, 2013 the date he was recalled to the majors for good he leads the majors with 156 starts DET/WAS Max Scherzer ranks 2nd with 152 starts. ELIAS SAYS Went 1-5 with a 7.48 ERA (21.2-IP, 18-ER) over his last 6 starts last year, from Sep 2-30, increasing his season ERA from 3.66 to 4.07 this stretch also dropped him from 9-7 to a season-ending according to the Elias Sports Bureau, he became the first pitcher in major league history with three consecutive losing seasons despite recording at least 200 SO each year in fact, he has posted at least 225 SO in all three of those seasons the only other pitcher with multiple seasons of at least 225 SO and a losing record was Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan (1976, 1978, 1987) AND CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Last season he made the AL All-Star Team, his second career selection, and pitched for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic enters the 2018 season ranked 3rd in Rays history with 160 starts, 967 IP and 1,044 SO, trailing only James Shields and David Price in each category is 21 SO behind Price (1,065) for 2nd in franchise history and 206 SO behind Shields (1,250) for 1st. K S FOR KIDS Every strikeout he records will benefit the local nonprofit Starting Right, Now its mission is to combat youth homelessness through a variety of personal development programs for every strikeout, Archer, the Rays Baseball Foundation and Crown Automotive Group will each donate $25 this is the fourth consecutive year Archer has conducted the strikeout campaign any Rays fan or local business can join the strikeout challenge by making a pledge at raysbaseball.com/archer. SPRING GAME LOG ( A GAMES) GAME DEC ERA IP H R ER BB SO HR HB WP P/K FINAL OPP. LEFT 2/26 vs. TOR W, /3 at DET W, /8 at BOS T, /13 at PHI L, /18 vs. DET W W, FRIDAY S STARTER: LH BLAKE SNELL (5-7, 4.04 ERA in 2017) SEASON DEBUT Enters his third major league season, having been on the active roster for three stints in 2017 and two stints in 2016 selected as the No. 2 starter on March 15 by Manager Kevin Cash, up from No. 4 in last year s season-opening rotation it will be the fourth time in franchise history a lefty will start a game in March the others: Friday s opposing starter, David Price, on March 31, 2014 vs. TOR, Joe Kennedy on March 31, 2003 vs. BOS and Wilson Álvarez on March 31, 1998 vs. DET, in the franchise s inaugural game. STRONG FINISH In his final 10 starts last season after his Aug 8 recall, he went 5-1 with a 2.84 ERA (57-IP, 18-ER) he did not allow an earned run in 4 of those 10 starts, and went at least 6 IP in 7 of them during that span, he ranked 6th in the AL in ERA and 4th with a.197 opp avg. recorded a career-high 13 SO in the Rays season-finale vs. BAL he has an active scoreless streak of 18 IP at Tropicana Field the franchise record for scoreless innings at home is 29.1 by David Price in SPRING THINGS Was 0-0 with a 3.12 ERA (17.1-IP, 6-ER) and 27 SO in 5 starts, a SO/9 IP ratio logged 17 SO in his final 2 starts spanning 10.1 IP, and stretched out to 97 pitches in his last start on March 24 at PIT also pitched in an instrasquad game on March 12. vs. BOSTON Is 1-3 with a 5.95 ERA (19.2-IP, 13-ER) in 4 career starts against the Red Sox, and has lost 3 straight starts against them at home, is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA (9-IP, 6-ER) in 2 starts last season, went 0-2 with a 5.91 ERA (10.2-IP, 7-ER) in 2 starts, one at home and one on the road. #16 KEVIN CASH, MANAGER Is in his fourth season as Rays manager at age 40, is the majors youngest active skipper 5 months younger than SD Andy Green His last ejection was July 18, 2017 at OAK, his seventh ejection as Rays manager his 7 ejections are tied for 4th in franchise history. Is the sixth Tampa-born manager in major league history, and second to manage the Rays that list includes Hall of Famers Al Lopez and Tony La Russa, Lou Piniella, Dave Miley and John Hart. Played 12 professional seasons as a catcher, incl. parts of eight seasons in the majors ( ) and two years ( ) in the Rays org. Played in the 1989 Little League World Series (Tampa Northside LL), 1999 College World Series (Florida State) and earned World Series rings in 2007 (Red Sox) and 2009 (Yankees).