ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Rays will open their 25th anniversary season Thursday afternoon against the visiting Tigers with more new coaches than players on the roster, and by a 3-2 count.
While Brady Williams, who was the manager at Triple-A Durham and is the new third base coach, Tomas Francisco (field coordinator) and Jorge Moncada (bullpen coach) joined Kevin Cash’s staff, the only new faces on the roster are starting pitcher Zach Eflin and reliever Kevin Kelly, who has yet to appear in a big league game.
Though clubhouse pillars Kevin Kiermaier (Toronto) and Mike Zunino (Cleveland) have moved on, there is much familiarity no matter where you look. That is no small detail as a few players Wednesday morning spoke about a family-like feeling among the group.
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“They have worked hard to get that,” Cash said of the sense of togetherness in the room. “I think, ultimately, we have learned that you probably need that. As much time as we are going to spend with each other, you want guys to be comfortable being themselves, interacting among the group and valuing each other’s personalities and perspectives.”
Now, if the Rays can remain healthy maybe they can erase the memories of last season’s wild-card sweep at the hands of Cleveland. You may recall, Tampa Bay wasted superlative pitching by scoring once in 24 innings in two games.
The hope is that shortstop Wander Franco and second baseman Brandon Lowe can remain healthy. They combined to miss about 180 games a year ago due to injuries. Quad and hand injuries hindered Franco while a lower back injury barked at Lowe most of the season. He also had a triceps contusion.
The Rays had a bit of a scare at the end of their Grapefruit League schedule when Franco was scratched from a couple of games with a sore right quad. The 22-year-old said Wednesday morning that he is good to go.
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“I have been able to do all the basic stuff and I don’t anticipate any problems,” he said through interpreter Manny Navarro before taking the field for practice. “I feel really good. What I have been working all off-season for is opening day and I am ready to go.”
Lowe had a healthy and productive spring. Combined with the effort of outfielder Josh Lowe and first baseman/outfielder Luke Raley, both of whom made the opening day roster, the Rays feel they answered questions about left-handed hitting production.
Josh Lowe hit all of .221 and finished last season at Durham while Raley played in only 22 games (.197) while spending most of the season with the Triple-A club. They turned the tables in the spring and deserved to make the squad.
“We have confidence in them,” said Cash, of Josh Lowe and Raley. “We do not want to add pressure on them. You like to see what Luke and Josh did in spring training. If that can kind of slide over into opening day and through the regular season, I think we will all be very, very pleased.”
A sellout crowd will be on hand Thursday afternoon (3:10) as the curtain rises on the 2023 season. Shane McClanahan gets his second straight opening day start. He will be opposed by fellow lefty Eduardo Rodriguez.
Following a day off Friday, the teams resume their three-game series Saturday (4:10) before closing out the weekend Sunday afternoon (1:10).
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