This used to be the one series a year I'd go to the dump that is Tropicana Field because I wanted to see the White Sox. Even if I still lived in the Tampa area, which I don't, I wouldn't pay a nickel to see anything Jerry Reinsdorf owns at the moment. Major payback spot for the Rays off their embarrassing sweep in Chicago late last month. Josh Lowe has been activated off the IL for TB to make his season debut. He had a breakout 2023 season. Also the season debut for Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger. Might prefer him to the Rays' Tyler Alexander, but Clevinger won't be out there more than five innings.

The Pale Hose sweeping the Rays is one of the oddest outcomes of this young MLB season, by far, and I am not just saying that because I was on the wrong side of it. The Rays are flawed ...but Chicago has 3 wins all season coming in. This series now takes on more urgency for Tampa, the Rays are playing better lately and both teams are in a bit of a starting pitching bind, which to me massively favors the better team. Rays are also at home, which has meant dominance in years past. Pale Hose have won two on the road - bringing their season away win total to three. Rays will be focused and prepped after embarrassing previous series with them