Tigers at Rays

It’s cloudy.

Thought it was supposed to be sunny today, but clouds cover the area and the breeze, as always, is blowing toward home plate at Al Lang Field as the Rays take batting practice.

The Detroit Tigers are stretching in front of the third base dugout.

Good morning and welcome to another Rays Live in-game blog. I’m Roger Mooney and I’ll provide as much of the action as I actually see.

It might be a little difficult to see everything, though.

James Shields starts for the Rays, and he was basically named the Opening Day starter this morning since Scott Kazmir won’t be ready to pitch on March 31.

This will be the first time to talk with Shields since the latest developments with Kazmir developed.

Kazmir, who was supposed to make his first start of the spring today, was scratched so he can continue to build up arm strength as he comebacks from a strained left elbow.

Kaz isn’t worried.

Rays manager Joe Maddon isn’t worried.

So, should we be worried?

Dontrelle Willis will start for the Tigers. Former Ray Bobby Seay is on the list of scheduled Tiger pitchers.

Here are the lineups.

Tigers
CF Curtis Granderson
2B Placido Polanco
DH Gary Sheffield
1B Marcus Thames
LF Jacques Jones
S Edgar Renteria
3B Brandon Inge
RF Ryan Raburn
C Max St. Pierre
P Dontrelle Willis

Rays
2B Aki Iwamura
SS Jason Bartlett
1B Carlos Pena
CF B.J. Upton
RF Jonny Gomes
3B Evan Longoria
DH Eric Hinske
LF Joel Guzman
C Mike DiFelice
P James Shields