Grapefruit League Preview (GM #1): Rays @ Twins

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The Grapefruit League slate has arrived, and Rays baseball is back today as the team travels down to Fort Myers for a double-duty weekend, starting with the Minnesota Twins.

This game will be more than just a "shaking the rust off" type of game for the club as players will be looking to work with the new pitch clock rules early this spring, which should create for some great discussion in these Grapefruit and Cactus League games.

With that said, there are "Three Keys to Watch" for today's February 25th opener between the Twins and the Rays.

1. ALL CLOCK WORK

Yes, no shift will be something that coaches may need to get out of their system in the strategical aspects of the game, but these first few games will be all about clockwork for all 30 MLB teams, which includes the Tampa Bay Rays.

Expect to see an automatic ball or strike called, just like in the San Diego-Seattle game yesterday, especially on someone like Kenta Maeda, who hasn't made a start since the 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery at the end of that year, but both teams will be playing around with the clock timing throughout the spring and it is something to watch in this first game, especially for fans to get familiar with it.

There is an article up on the site that is available for fans that truly "breaks down the pitch clock and how the Rays may actually be favored with the new rules."

2. BATTLE KENTA

When Cooper Criswell was announced as the starter for the Rays, there was an expectation to maybe see a more minor-league-esuqe lineup for the opener of the spring; however, with Kenta Maeda as the probable starter for Minnesota, the idea of that has shifted.

Maeda comes off a year-long hiatus, having not pitched since "August 2021," according to MLB.com. This not only creates a certain level of intrigue as to what form of Maeda we will see this afternoon in Fort Myers for this lineup, but also how will the lineup respond to Maeda after this hiatus due to injury?

Both the Rays and Twins should benefit from having Maeda out on the mound, and it will give players such as "Parades and Mejia", two of the potential starters for the Rays this season who, according to Marc Topkin, will be traveling, some good in-game action against an arm that has been solid in recent seasons, especially in camp.

3. DEFENSE PROTECTS BALL GAMES

Defensively, this team will be fascinating to follow this spring in both the infield and the outfield.

Truly, the corner position isn't set in stone, and there will be many moving pieces with the WBC players breaking camp in almost a week.

With that being said, today's game should be a small indicator as to what we could see from the Rays for the season in terms of the hot corners.

With a mix of " Paredes and Ramirez," who are going to be in Fort Myers according to Topkin, and potential other 1Bs and 3Bs traveling Saturday, it could bring early competition to the club's first game.

GAME INFORMATION

Tampa Bay Rays (0-0-0) @ Minnesota Twins (0-0-0)

Game Time: 1:05pm EST

Location: Fort Myers, Florida (Hammond Stadium)

Prob Pitchers:

TB: Cooper Criswell (0-0) vs. MIN: Kenta Maeda (0-0)

GAME NOTES:

The Rays were 1-3 last season versus the Twins in Grapefruit League games.

First of 5 Matchups on the 2023 Grapefruit League schedule between MIN-TB (3 Road, 2 Home)

Criswell will make his first Grapefruit League appearance and will pitch against the Minnesota Twins for the first time in his career.

Maeda has a 2.36 ERA in 29 career Spring Training starts, including five in 2021, where he finished with a 0.49 ERA in 18.1 innings.

Maeda Career Numbers vs. Tampa Bay Rays (Regular Season): 7 IP, 3.86 ERA, 2 Games (1 Start), 1 K

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