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