RaysREPORT

By EDUARDO A. ENCINA
Published June 4, 2007

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Did you know?

The Rays are 12-8 against last season's four American League playoff teams but 11-23 against the rest of baseball.

Did you know? Part II

The Rays are carrying 18 players with fewer than three years of major-league service, including seven rookies.

Did you know? Part III

Despite losing the first two games of their series against the Royals, the Rays have beaten them 10 times in their past 13 matchups.

Today: Rays vs. Royals

When/where: 3:10; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

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

Probable pitchers: Rays - RHP James Shields (4-0, 3.13); Royals - RHP Gil Meche (3-4, 3.00)

Rays tickets: $8-$210. Available at Tropicana Field box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, devilrays.com.

Rays info: (727) 825-3250

Watch for ...

Strong Shields: Rays starter James Shields is coming off a complete game in his last outing, a 5-3 win over Detroit on Wednesday. He gave up all three runs in the first then retired 17 of his last 18 hitters.

Turning the calender: Royals starter Gil Meche would like to forget May, when he went 1-3 with a 3.93 ERA after going 2-1 with a 2.18 ERA in April. Wednesday against the Orioles, he took the loss despite allowing one run in 71/3 innings.

Carl's craving: Rays leftfielder Carl Crawford is 5-for-11 lifetime against Meche for a .455 batting average.

On deck

Tuesday: at Blue Jays, 7:07, Ch. 66. Rays - Andy Sonnanstine (debut); Jays - Roy Halladay (5-2, 3.90)

Wednesday: at Blue Jays, 7:07, FSN. Rays - Scott Kazmir (3-3, 3.95); Jays - Tomo Ohka (2-4, 5.30)

Thursday: at Blue Jays, 12:37, No TV. Rays - Edwin Jackson (0-7, 7.77); Jays - A.J. Burnett (5-5, 4.02)

Friday: at Marlins, 7:05, FSN. Rays - J.P. Howell (1-0, 1.13); Marlins - Dontrelle Willis (7-4, 4.70)