SCOUTING REPORT: The Devil Rays haven't seen the Red Sox since mid April, but not much has changed. They are a potent offensive team, their starting pitching can be dominant and their bullpen is a wreck.
Manager Grady Little hinted at big changes over the weekend, leading to speculation they'll either make Byung-Hyun Kim the closer or make a deal for an established reliever.
The bullpen is 15-16 with a 5.52 ERA (second worst in the league), 10 blown saves and a .288 average against.
Chad Fox was activated off the DL, and there is talk they'll use Casey Fossum in the bullpen when he is healthy. Ramiro Mendoza may go into the rotation, possibly Thursday, when Kim was supposed to start.
Life is easier for the Sox when they pound their way to an early lead, and a lineup featuring Nomar Garciaparra, Manny Ramirez and the surprising Kevin Millar certainly is capable. The Sox rank first in the league in average (.300), runs (512) and on-base percentage (.366).
Pedro Martinez leads a rotation that probably needs one more established starter.
DISABLED LIST: Fossum, RHP Robert Person, OF Jeremy Giambi, Mendoza.
CONNECTIONS: Rays first-base coach Billy Hatcher played parts of three seasons in Boston. ... Bench coach John McLaren was Red Sox bullpen coach in '91. ... Rookie Rocco Baldelli grew up in nearby Rhode Island. ... Ex-Ray Ryan Rupe is in Boston's bullpen. ... John Burkett, tonight's starter, was released by the Rays in spring training 2000. ... Johnny Damon is from Orlando. ... Mike Timlin lives in Oldsmar.
SEASON SERIES: The Rays won the dramatic season opener but have lost six straight. The Rays are 27-55 against Boston.
[Last modified July 1, 2003, 01:47:45]
Today's lineup
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Other sports
