PORT CHARLOTTE (WDAE) -- The Tampa Bay Rays can regain the highly-regarded Dukes Cup for the first time since 2015 with a victory over the Minnesota Twins today at Charlotte Sports Park. Yonny Chirinos will get the start for Tampa Bay, taking on Kyle Gibson. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05, with coverage on WDAE beginning at 12:30 with Countdown to Opening Day.
Rays starting lineup
Meadows LF
Pham DH
Wendle SS
Garcia RF
Kiermaier CF
Diaz 1B
Robertson 2B
Wong 3B
James C
Twins Starting Lineup
Kepler RF
Gonzalez 1B
Cruz DH
Rosario LF
Schoop 2B
Astudillo C
Buxton CF
Rosales 3B
Torreyes SS
WHAT'S THE DUKES CUP: The Dukes Cup has been awarded annually since 2012 to the winner of the Knutson Classic, the spring series between the Rays and Twins named for current Tampa Bay and former Minnesota press box supervisor Dukes Knutson. The Twins have won the Cup each of the last three seasons, while the Rays won three straight years between 2013 and 2015.
PHAM RETURNS TO FIELD AFTER THIS WEEKEND: Manager Kevin Cash says outfielder Tommy Pham, who has been dealing with shoulder soreness, will return to playing in the field Monday after a week of being relegated to DH duties.
DUFFY CLOSE TO RETURNING: Third baseman Matt Duffy, who has played in just one game this spring due to hamstring tightness, continues to progress, according to Cash. Duffy ran arcs at almost full speed Friday, reporting no issues, is scheduled to take ground balls on Sunday. He could also run the bases Sunday or Monday and could get into a game early next week. Both Duffy and Cash say he can still be ready for Opening Day as long as he experiences no further setbacks.