Red Sox at Rays lineup: Triston Casas is here

The Red Sox and Rays face off this afternoon at 1:05 p.m. as Nick Pivetta makes his second start of March—and second against Tampa Bay—after a strong first outing. This one is being broadcast by the Rays network, so those with an MLB.TV subscription can watch.

The hopes for Pivetta, one of Chaim Bloom’s first non-Mookie trade additions, are fairly high, and the pitcher thinks, like the Sox brass, that he’s ready to step into the rotation, per the Herald’s Steve Hewitt, after a productive summer in Pawtucket:

“I’ve definitely taken a lot of steps forward from when I was at the alternate site to now,” Pivetta said. “I worked really, really hard in the weight room this offseason, worked hard on my mechanics, worked on how I delivered pitches, commanding my pitches better, game-planning better all in all. So I’d say a lot better. I’d say I’m in a really good position right now. I’m feeling really confident.”

Pivetta will be followed on the mound by Hirozaku Sawamura, Colten Brewer, Matt Barbes, Josh Taylor and Marcus Walden—thanks again to Ian Cundall of Sox Prospects for the hookup. (Dear The Red Sox: Please add me to the list. Thanks.)

As for the lineup, Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts both get the day off, but huge-hitting prospect Triston Casas will make his first spring start, at DH, after entering yesterday’s game late, and believe me, you’re going to want to watch this guy. That’s about all the fun stuff we’ve got for now. To the lineups!

Red Sox lineups

1. Christian Arroyo, SS

2. Alex Verdugo, CF

3. J.D. Martinez, LF

4. Hunter Renfroe, RF

5. Michael Chavis, 1B

6. Bobby Dalbec, 3B

7. Kevin Plawecki, C

8. Triston Casas, DH

9. Jonathan Araúz, 2B

SP: Nick Pivetta, RHP

Rays lineups

1. Randy Arozarena, DH

2. Brandon Lowe, LF

3. Yandy Díaz, 3B

4. Austin Meadows, RF

5. Yoshi Tsutsugo, 1B

6. Joey Wendle, 2B

7. Kevin Kiermaier, CF

8. Mike Zunino, C

9. Willy Adames, SS

SP: Joe Ryan, RHP