Rays announce 2008 schedule
Article published on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007 |
ST. PETERSBURG – The Tampa Bay Rays will host the Chicago Cubs at Tropicana Field for the first time, June 17-19, according to the 2008 Major League Baseball schedule released today.
The schedule is subject to change. The Rays will open their 11th season at Baltimore on Monday, March 31. After a three-game series with the Orioles and a four-game set at New York, the Rays will return to Tropicana Field to play the Seattle Mariners in their home opener on Tuesday, April 8.
In addition to the Cubs, the Rays interleague schedule includes a three-game series against the Houston Astros, who also will be making their first visit to Tropicana Field, June 20-22. The Rays will play six games against the Florida Marlins including three at home, June 13-15. Tampa Bay also will play at Pittsburgh and make its first visit to St. Louis’ Busch Stadium.
As it was in each of the last seven seasons, the 2008 Major League schedule is an unbalanced format, meaning each team will play more games against teams in their own division.
Consequently, the Rays will play 72 games against the four American League East opponents: 18 each against the Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Rays will play 38 games against teams from the AL Central Division and 34 versus the AL West Division as well as 18 National League games.
While each AL East team will make three visits to Tropicana Field, all other AL teams will make one trip.
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Article published on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007
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