SCOUTING REPORT: The Red Sox still are without Nomar Garciaparra and Trot Nixon and still aren't playing particularly well, but they are still battling for first place in the AL East.
They've done it with pitching, which isn't good news for a Devil Rays squad trying to get on track offensively, and with timely hitting from a lineup that most days is dotted with journeymen such as Kevin Millar, Mark Bellhorn, Pokey Reese, Gabe Kapler and Dave McCarty.
Sox pitchers lead the league with a 3.48 team ERA, have allowed a league-low .238 batting average, 25 home runs and struck out more batters (272, seven-plus per game) than any other team.
As if the rotation isn't formidable enough - knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (8-1, 2.71 against the Rays), Curt Schilling (2-1, 2.66) and Derek Lowe (8-2, 2.21 and no-hit them in 2002) will work this series - the Sox also have the league's best bullpen. Keith Foulke leads the pen, which has a 2.74 ERA and allowed just a .204 average.
David Ortiz has been carrying a big load of the offense, ranking among the league leaders with 10 homers, 15 doubles and 25 extra-base hits, and all Manny Ramirez is doing is hitting .354 with a .430 on-base percentage.
The Sox had Monday off in St. Petersburg to recharge after playing 20 consecutive days.
CONNECTIONS: Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo is a Hernando High grad and Brooksville resident. ... Reliever Mike Timlin lives in Oldsmar. ... McCarty played briefly for the Rays. ... Former Rays reliever Mark Malaska was sent down to Triple-A Pawtucket last week. ... Three members of the Rays coaching staff spent time in Boston - John McLaren, Billy Hatcher and Don Zimmer.
SEASON SERIES: The Sox swept three games from the Rays last month, outscoring them 17-3 and holding them to a .177 average. Overall, the Sox lead the series 64-33, including 31-17 at the Trop.
