AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays Announce Tyler Glasnow As Team's Opening Day Starter

The Tampa Bay Rays underwent another shift in their roster this past offseason after falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, and today the club named its starter for the Opening Day matchup on the road against the Miami Marlins on April 1st.

Tyler Glasnow, who was acquired from Pittsburgh in July of 2018, is the team's top returning starter, so it didn't come as a complete stunner when manager Kevin Cash said on Wednesday that Glasnow would start against Miami.

“I know it’s a big deal to pitchers. The way Tyler has thrown the ball the last couple seasons, he deserves the opportunity," the Rays' skipper said.

Glasnow went 5-1 with a 4.08 earned run average last season and was a huge force in the playoffs, starting Game Five of the ALDS against the Yankees. He also started Games One and Five against the Dodgers in the World Series.

“He’s a guy that we feel confident should be built up ... to go out there and log innings,” Cash said.

“From what he did last season, the way he competed in the postseason," Cash and the Rays look forward to seeing what he has in store for 2021.

The Rays lost two of their top starters this offseason, as the team declined an option for pitcher Charlie Morton and moved former Cy Young award winner Blake Snell.

The team's starting five pitchers now includes Glasnow, Chris Archer, Rich Hill, Ryan Yarbrough and Michael Wacha.