ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- For two games, the Tampa Bay Rays have played it close with the defending American League East champion Boston Red Sox, rallying to win Thursday's opener and falling 1-0 to a David Price gem on Friday.
But if there's a major difference between the two squads, it can be seen Saturday night. Boston turns to right-hander Rick Porcello, two years removed from a Cy Young Award, and Tampa Bay is already turning to a bullpen day.
The Rays have lost three pitchers to major elbow injuries since February, with top prospect Brent Honeywell and another promising young pitcher in Jose DeLeon undergoing Tommy John surgery.