For starters: Rays at Red Sox, aiming for first place

UPDATE, 5:56: The Rays and Red Sox have bascially been in wait-and-see mode all afternoon, with rain falling and the forecast discouraging. Maddon said he hasn't been told anything officially, but from his own analysis of the weather radar, "It doesn't look good.'' Because this is the Rays last trip to Boston this season, the decision on when, or if, to start is in the hands of the umpiring crew. If the game is postponed, the teams have several mutual off-days, the first being Monday.

UPDATE, 3:31: Rays have Longoria hitting second and Myers cleanup again.

Rays lineup:
Jennings cf
Longoria 3b
Zobrist 2b
Myers rf
Loney 1b
Scott dh
Joyce lf
Lobaton c
Escobar ss
Hellickson p

DEVELOPING: Much like Tuesday, the Rays take on the Red Sox tonight - weather permitting - with a chance to take over first place in the American League East.

Having been in last place as recently as the morning of June 24, and having been as much as seven games out as recently as the morning of June 28, the Rays again take the field tonight one-half game behind the Sox.

The Rays lost Tuesday, but won again Wednesday, to extend their stunning run, having won 15 of their last 17 games, 19 of 22 and 22 of 27.

They will try to extend that tonight starting RHP Jeremy Hellickson, who is 9-3, 4.62 and on a roll, against Boston RH John Lackey, who is 7-6, 2.78.

There have been showers already today in the Boston area, with heavier rain expected in late afternoon and again after 9 p.m. The tarp is, again, on the field this afternoon.

Lineups when available.