Rays at Yankees

The third tussle between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier was, of course, The Thrilla in Manila. Ali won on a TKO in the 15th round, for those who don’t remember.

We mention that because today is Rays-Yankees III at Legends Field. Maybe, if the two sides haven’t learned their lesson after the fallout from Wednesday’s high-spikes, bench-clearing dustup between Yankee first baseman Shelley Duncan and Rays right fielder Jonny Gomes.

Duncan received a three-game suspension and Gomes received a two-game suspension. Yankee center field Melky Cabrera also got hit with a three-game suspension for hitting Rays rookie third baseman Evan Longoria in the back of the head during the melee.

Duncan is here at Legends Field for the split squad came against the Rays, while Gomes was sent to Disney, where the Rays have a split squad game against the Braves.

Smart money says there won’t be any shenanigans, but smart money said the same thing before Wednesday’s game.

The Yankee lineup has yet to be posted.

Here is the Rays lineup:

2B Akinori Iwamura
SS Jason Bartlett
CF B. J. Upton
DH Cliff Floyd
3B Willy Aybar
RF Eric Hinske
LF Joel Guzman
1B Chris Richard
C Josh Paul
P Jeff Niemann