There will be history made tonight as the Rays host the White Sox in the first ever meeting of first place teams at the Trop.

The storylines this afternoon - the placing of closer Troy Percival on the 15-day DL (left hamstring) and subsequent activation of Willy Aybar - will have an impact on today's lineup in a couple ways.

Aybar, who played first, second and third in his rehab assignments, will start at DH; Manager Joe Maddon said they plan to have a closer-by-committee, with any of five guys -including Dan Wheeler and Al Reyes - available to pitch the ninth.

Percival just met with the media and said he felt better than yesterday, and that he'd probably be ready to get back and throwing in four or so days, but he understands the move to put him on the DL to get an extra body in the bullpen. The 38-year-old veteran plans to make the team's next road trip to Boston - a potential battle for first in the AL East - because he hopes to be able to throw off the side during that time..

RAYS
Iwamura, 2b

Crawford, lf

Upton, cf

Pena, 1b

longoria, 3b

navarro, c

gomes, rf

aybar, dh

bartlett, ss

WHITE SOX

Cabrera, ss

Pierzynski, c

Quentin, lf

Dye, rf

Thome, dh

Konerko, 1b

Crede, 3b

Swisher, cf

Ramirez, 2b

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com