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Rays report: Kevin Kiermaier back in lineup

Gold Glove centerfielder didn’t start the last three days (all losses) due to a hand injury.
 
Kevin Kiermaier grimaces after being hit by a pitch from Houston Astros pitcher Enoli Paredes during the sixth inning of Game 3 on Tuesday.
Kevin Kiermaier grimaces after being hit by a pitch from Houston Astros pitcher Enoli Paredes during the sixth inning of Game 3 on Tuesday. [ ASHLEY LANDIS | AP ]
Published Oct. 17, 2020|Updated Oct. 18, 2020

The Rays have centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier back in their lineup for tonight’s seventh and final game of the American League Championship Series; first pitch is 8:37 (TBS).

Kiermaier has not started since being knocked out of Tuesday’s game when he was hit on the left wrist by a pitch. The Rays have lost all three of those games, blowing what had been a commanding 3-0 series lead.

Kiermaier said he will be playing in pain, with his left hand wrapped, and will limit his pre-game work, but it was important to return: “It’s Game 7, enough said.”

Manager Kevin Cash said Kiermaier was cautiously optimistic last night, and came in early today to take some swings in the cage and felt good about it.

Kiermaier said his Rays mates are excited and realize the opportunity they have in front of them, to be the second Rays team to get to the World Series. Also, that they realize they’re playing tonight not just for themselves but for the Tampa Bay community: "We want to take that final leap into playing on the biggest stage of the year.''

Shortstop Willy Adames also said the clubhouse was upbeat, that they were playing loud music, including some Drake, to keep the atmosphere positive.

The Rays also have Charlie Morton on the mound, who is the only pitcher to have wins in three winner-take-all games. The Astros are starting Tampa native Lance McCullers Jr. in what will be a rematch of Game 2.

Both teams will have an all-hands on-deck approach with their relievers, and that will include Tyler Glasnow, who started Game 4 for the Rays on Wednesday.

Here is the Rays lineup:

Margot rf

Lowe 2b

Arozarena lf

Meadows dh

Choi 1b

Adames ss

Wendle 3b

Zunino c

Kiermaier cf

Morton p

And here is the Astros lineup:

Springer cf

Altuve 2b

Brantley DH

Correa ss

Bregman 3b

Tucker lf

Gurriel 1b

Reddick rf

Maldonado c

McCullers Jr. p