The only team as hot as the Rays since April 25 have been the Rangers, who are in town today to start a three-game series at the Trop.

Tampa Bay (30-20), boasting the best record in baseball with Arizona, has won nine of their last 11 series, and continue their season-long homestand with sets against the Rangers and White Sox...

The storylines today are the return of former Ray No. 1 pick Josh Hamilton, who's comeback story from drugs and alcohol issues to become one of the best hitters in baseball has been well-documented. Hamilton met with about 15-20 reporters before today's game, and for one, Rays manager Joe Maddon is admittedly curious to see him play for the first time here.

Rays ace Scott Kazmir starts today, saying he's on the verge of returning to to form after starting the season on the disabled list. Though he's pitched very well so far (3-1, 4.06), including a string of 16 straight scoreless innings, he's trying working out the kinks in mechanics...

DH Cliff Floyd returns to the lineup after a day off, and HInske will play RF.

RAYS
Iwamura, 2b

Crawford, lf

Upton, cf

Pena, 1b

Longoria, 3b

Floyd, dh

Navarro, c

Hinske, rf

Bartlett, ss

Kazmir, P

RANGERS

Kinsler, 2b

Young, ss

Hamilton, cf

Bradley, dh

Murphy, lf

Shelton, 1b

Laird, c

Byrd, rf

Vazquez, 3b

Ponson, p

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com