PORT CHARLOTTE (620 WDAE) -- The Tampa Bay Rays finally announced their starting rotation after Thursday's game, and the names and order will not surprise fans one bit.
Manager Kevin Cash said that right-hander Chris Archer for the third straight season will get the baseball for Opening Day, which will take place Sunday, April 2 at Tropicana Field against the New York Yankees. Archer's three Opening Day starts ties him with David Price for second-most in franchise history, trailing only James Shields' four starts to begin a season, and the right-hander joins Shields as the only pitchers to start three consecutive Opening Days (2008-2010).
Following Archer in the rotation will be fellow right-handers Jake Odorizzi (10-6, 3.69 ERA in 2016) and Alex Cobb (1-2, 8.59 ERA in five starts after returning from Tommy John surgery), then left-hander Blake Snell (6-8, 3.54 ERA in 19 starts in his rookie campaign in 2016), and righty Matt Andriese (8-8, 4.37 ERA in 19 starts and 10 relief appearances).