The Tampa Bay Rays open their final homestand of the 2019 regular season Friday with the first of four games against the Boston Red Sox. A win by either the Rays or the Cleveland Indians tonight will officially eliminate the Red Sox from postseason contention. Charlie Morton will take on Rick Porcello. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10, with coverage on WDAE beginning at 6:00 with The Inside Pitch.
Rays starting lineup
Wendle 2B
Meadows LF
Pham DH
Choi 1B
d'Arnaud C
Kiermaier CF
Garcia RF
Duffy 3B
Adames SS
Red Sox starting lineup
Betts DH
Vazquez C
Devers 3B
Bogaerts SS
Benintendi LF
Holt RF
Moreland 1B
Bradley CF
Hernandez 2B
LOWE, CHIRINOS ON VERGE OF RETURNING: Manager Kevin Cash said Thursday that infielder Brandon Lowe (quad) will play in an Instructional League game Saturday morning in Port Charlotte and be re-evaluated by the team after the game.
Lowe has not played for the Rays since July 2, when he suffered a bone bruise on his right shin in an at bat against Baltimore. He was working back from the injury in August, but suffered a strained quad in a rehab game August 21.
Chirinos, who has dealt with inflammation in the middle finger on his right hand, has not pitched in a game since August 4, though he has thrown 40 pitches in a simulated game. He is exoected to be activated this weekend from the injured list and work out of the bullpen.