Alright, Tampa Bay. Baseball season is in full swing and come Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays will return to St. Petersburg for their 14th season home opener at Tropicana Field.
Following months of spring training, the Rays will come out in full effect against American League East rivals and sworn enemies, the New York Yankees. Coming off one heck of a roller coaster season in 2o11, the Rays are serious about taking that top spot in the AL East above teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Orioles.
During the offseason the Rays acquired and lost a number of pivotal players. Outfielder/DH Johnny Damon as well as first baseman Casey Kotchman and catcher Kelly Shoppach are all free agents now. Catcher John Jaso is now on the Seattle Mariners.
The Rays acquired a handful of players as well including pitchers John Lueke, Burke Badenhop, Fernando Rodney, and Richard De Los Santos as well as catcher Jose Molina, first baseman Carlos Pena (again!), and DH Luke Scott.
James Shields will lead off the Rays pitching roster which was a key component to the Rays' success in 2011. Rays pitchers lead the American league pitching for a collective 3.53 ERA and WHIP of 1.19 last season. Shields comes into the 2012 season with great stats including 11 complete games with four shut outs from last season.
All in all, this is shaping up to be a promising season for baseball in Tampa Bay. The Rays will kick it all off at Tropicana Field for their home opener on Friday, April 6 against the Yankees at 3:10 p.m.
Want to go? Grab your tickets right here on the 727area ticket page then head out and cheer on our Tampa Bay Rays as they make their way into a great 2012 season.
