Rays On Deck

Today: Rays at Yankees

By MARC TOPKIN
Published April 2, 2007

When/where: 1:05; Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.

TV/radio: FSN; 1250-AM, 680-AM (Spanish).

Probable pitchers: Rays - LHP Scott Kazmir (10-8, 3.24 in 2006); Yankees - RHP Carl Pavano (injured in 2006, 4-6, 4.77 in 2005).

Weather: Partly cloudy, high 64 degrees.

Rays tickets: Available at Tropicana Field box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, devilrays.com.

Rays info: (727) 825-3250.

Watch for ...

BIG OUTS: Rays starter Scott Kazmir has done a good job against the Yankees' big boys, limiting Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi to a combined 4-for-31 with 10 strikeouts. Overall, he is 1-3, 3.29 in six starts against the Yankees.

LOTSA NERVES: There are 11 Rays on an opening day roster for the first time, two (Elijah Dukes, Akinori Iwamura) playing their first major-league game, and Yankee Stadium isn't the easiest place to relax.

LONG OR SHORT MEMORIES: Carl Pavano hasn't pitched for the Yankees since June 2005 because of injuries and assorted controversies that alienated fans and teammates. If he pitches poorly he'll hear about it, but if he pitches well suddenly all will seem forgotten. Pavano, a former Marlin, is 3-2, 2.92 in five games against the Rays.

On deck

Tuesday: Off

Wednesday: at Yankees, 1:05, Yankee Stadium, FSN. Rays - RHP Jae Seo (1-8, 5.00); Yankees - LHP Andy Pettitte (14-13, 4.20).

Thursday: at Yankees, 7:05, Yankee Stadium, Ch. 66. Rays - RHP James Shields (6-8, 4.84); Yankees - RHP Mike Mussina (15-7, 3.51).

Friday: Blue Jays, 7:10, Tropicana Field, Ch. 66. Rays - LHP Casey Fossum (6-6, 5.33); Jays - RHP Tomo Ohka (4-5, 4.82).

[Last modified April 2, 2007, 00:33:31]