Detroit Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays: Game Time, TV/Radio Coverage, Lineup

Mar 26, 2014; Clearwater, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) jokes around with third baseman Nick Castellanos (9) before playing the Philadelphia Phillies in a spring training exhibition game at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers are scheduled to head to our nation’s capital for an exhibition game at Nationals Park tomorrow, but today’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays marks the end of the Grapefruit League portion of the spring schedule.

Detroit Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 1:05 PM

Joker Marchant Stadium – Lakeland, Fla

TV: None

Radio: WXYT 1270 (click for affiliates)

Live Stats: MLB Gameday

Weather: 76 degrees, cloudy

When We Last Met

Despite both making their Spring Training homes in Flordia, the Tigers and Rays will be meeting for the first (and only) time in Grapefruit League play today. It’s nearly a two-hour drive between Lakeland and Port Charlotte, and teams like to avoid that type of travel. That’s why they’ve played the Braves so much — it’s only 50 minutes to Kissimmee. Lakeland isn’t particularly far from Tampa (maybe 30-40 minutes), so perhaps the Rays are making the detour before heading back to home base for the season.

The Tigers split the season series with the Wild Card-winning Rays last year at three games apiece, with each team taking two-of-three in their home ballparks (if we can call The Trop a ballpark – zing). In those six games, the Tigers outscored the Rays 25-16.

Lineup

Joba Chamberlain is now listed as the nominal starting pitcher, so we may be headed for a bullpen game.