With Nomahhh on the Brain, Sox Play Tampa

AP Photo/Brita Meng Outzen

It is tough to concentrate on anything after hearing the news about Nomah’s retirement, but the Sox take on AL East foe Tampa Bay Rays at City of Palms Park this afternoon. Jon Lester will make his second start for the Sox this Spring and will look to improve upon a shaky first outing in which he gave up 4 ER’s and 2 BB’s in 1 inning.

The Sox lineup has 7 of the 9 projected opening day starters, with David Ortiz and J.D. Drew getting the day off. The Rays come to Fort Myers with a 6-1 record and a few former Sox players in the starting lineup (Kelly Shoppach and Gabe Kapler). Like the Red Sox, on the mound for the Rays is their young, talented lefty, David Price.

Today’s Lineup – 1:05pm at City of Palms Park (lineups courtesy of Boston.com)

Red Sox (5-2)
Ellsbury LF
Pedroia 2B
Martinez DH
Youkilis 1B
Beltre 3B
Scutaro SS
Cameron CF
Hall RF
Brown C

Pitching: Jon Lester followed by Brian Shouse, Manny Delcarmen, Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, Daniel Bard and Ramon Ramirez.

Rays (6-1)
Bartlett SS
Kapler LF
Zobrist RF
Burrell DH
Upton CF
Rodriquez 2B
Shoppach C
Shealy 1B
Brignac 3B

Pitching: LHP David Price followed by RHP Joaquin Benoit, RHP Richard De Los Santos, LHP Heath Phillips, RHP Dale Thayer.