PORT CHARLOTTE (620 WDAE) -- The Rays will re-combine the split-squads that swept both games against the Yankees and Orioles on Tuesday, welcoming the Boston Red Sox to Charlotte Sports Park. Matt Andriese will get the start, taking on Kyle Kendrick. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05.
Rays Starting Lineup
Dickerson LF
Kiermaier DH
Longoria 3B
Miller 2B
Gillaspie 1B
Beckham SS
Souza RF
Smith CF
Maile C
Red Sox Starting Lineup
Pedroia 2B
Benintendi LF
Bradley CF
Betts RF
Sandoval 3B
Travis 1B
Craig DH
Swihart C
Marrero SS
CASH, TEAMMATES HAPPY FOR KIERMAIER: With outfielder Kevin Kiermaier close to a new six-year extension worth a reported $50 million, his teammates and manager Kevin Cash certainly appear excited for the former 31st round pick to cash in on his play on the field.
"He's a special player," Cash said. "He's evolved since I've been here as one of our leaders in the clubhouse. He brings it every day. High energy. We all see what he does defensively. We all see what he's capable of offensively when he's getting on base. He just really turns our lineup over. He adds elements to our lineup that maybe other people just can't do with his athletic ability."
"I think as an organization we should all be happy," third baseman Evan Longoria said. "He's a guy that is obviously a huge part of our defense, and a huge part of what we want to be as a team; how to play the game, and the kind of person we want in the clubhouse to build the culture."
As for Kiermaier himself, he's just grateful the team has the faith in him to make a significant financial investment.
"I feel very blessed and thankful to be rewarded for how I've handled myself ever since I really set baseball as a goal for myself," the Rays outfielder said, noting that it was in junior college when the first Rays scout noticed him when he made it a goal to play professionally in the big leagues.
NEIL'S ON THE CALL: While today's game will not be heard on WDAE, there will be an internet broadcast on raysbaseball.com (MLB.com account required) starting at 1:00, with Neil Solondz providing play-by-play, joined by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
Listen to comments from Cash, Kiermaier and Longoria below!