Tampa Bay Rays

'Tampa Bay Rays 2018 Season Preview' premieres March 25 on FOX Sports Sun

Published Mar. 23, 2018 3:44 p.m. ET

FOX Sports Florida press release

TAMPA, Fla. (March 22, 2018) -- The offseason of change is set to give way to the regular season for the Tampa Bay Rays. As Opening Day on March 29 vs. the Boston Red Sox approaches, FOX Sports Sun, the statewide television home of the Rays, is proud to present an all-new show aimed at bringing fans onto the field and into the dugout with player interviews, Grapefruit League action and in-depth analysis. "Tampa Bay Rays 2018 Season Preview" premieres this coming Sunday, March 25 upon conclusion of Rays vs. New York Yankees Spring Training coverage.

Rays Manager Kevin Cash enters his fourth season with Tampa Bay, navigating the always competitive waters of the American League East. The pitching rotation will be led by Opening Day starter Chris Archer, who has thrown 194 innings or more in four consecutive seasons. Left-hander Blake Snell, second– year hurler Jake Faria and 28 year-old Nate Eovaldi round out the projected four-man rotation. The bullpen once again will be headed by closer Alex Colome. In becoming the first pitcher in franchise history to lead the Majors in saves, Colome’s 47 were six more than any other pitcher.

Throughout the episode, FOX Sports Sun Rays Live analysts Orestes Destrade and Doug Waechter spend time breaking down the pitching, hitting and defense of the club, as well as their 2018 outlooks.
A pair of teammates at the corner infield positions, first baseman C.J. Cron and third baseman Matt Duffy, are primed to make a potential everyday impact. Cron, acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in mid-February, brings pop to the lineup, hitting 16 homeruns each of his past three seasons in a limited role. Duffy is eager to put aside the injuries that sidelined him the entire 2017 season and provide stability defensively, along with his offensive contributions. Brad Miller will look to add his positional versatility to the roster and return to his 2016 form, when he slugged 30 homeruns and knocked in 81 runs. Up the middle, the combination of newcomer Joey Wendle and youngster Daniel Robertson are likely to man second base, while shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria’s defensive wizardry and highlight making plays will once again be on display.

Behind the plate, 2016 All-Star Wilson Ramos is fully healthy and ready to be a force in the middle of the Rays lineup. Two-time Gold Glove winner Kevin Kiermaier’s importance to the club cannot be overstated, and he looks to remain healthy throughout 2018. Kiermaier had career highs in average, homeruns and on-base percentage last season to go along with his consistently outstanding defense. Tampa native Denard Span, veteran Carlos Gomez and second-year Ray Mallex Smith will all factor into the outfield.

Along with Cash and the players mentioned, new Bench Coach Charlie Montoyo, first-year Pitching Coach Kyle Snyder, Hitting Coach Chad Mottola and Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom sit down with the FOX Sports Sun crew, as Tampa Bay looks to make a run at the playoffs for the first time since 2013 in this 20th anniversary season.

Join host Michelle Margaux on FOX Sports Sun and FOX Sports GO this Sunday, March 25 on the premiere of "Tampa Bay Rays 2018 Season Preview."

Replay Schedule

Sun. 03/25/18, 4:00 PM

Mon. 03/26/18, 4:00 PM

Mon. 03/26/18, 11:30 PM

Tue. 03/27/18, 8:00 PM

Thu. 03/29/18, 8:30 AM

Thu. 03/29/18, 2:30 PM

Thu. 03/29/18, 11:30 PM

Fri. 03/30/18, 6:00 PM

Fri. 03/30/18, 10:30 PM

Sat. 03/31/18, 12:00 PM

Sat. 03/31/18, 5:00 PM

Sat. 03/31/18, 9:30 PM

Sun. 04/01/18, 12:00 PM

Sun. 04/01/18, 4:30 PM

Sun. 04/01/18, 11:00 PM

Mon. 04/02/18, 12:00 PM

Mon. 04/02/18, 4:30 PM

Mon. 04/02/18, 11:30 PM

Tue. 04/03/18, 11:30 PM

ABOUT FOX SPORTS FLORIDA / FOX SPORTS SUN

FOX Sports Florida & FOX Sports Sun are the regional television homes of the Orlando Magic, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers. The regional sports networks have been fixtures in the homes of sports fans throughout the Sunshine State for over 20 years. Today, the networks combine to produce more than 700 live sporting events and over 300 studio based and original programs year round. FOX Sports Florida and FOX Sports Sun are committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve by engaging our audiences and providing award winning TV and web coverage of Florida’s hometown sports teams. For more information, channel listings and how you can get involved with FOX Sports Florida / FOX Sports Sun, visit www.foxsportsflorida.com.