It isn’t Murderer’s Row, but the Tampa Bay Rays expect to have a little more thump in their batting order.
Perhaps that’s why they are talking about Logan Forsythe, last year’s No. 5 hitter, now batting leadoff.
The Rays have increased their power in the middle of the order, which promises to make this Rays’ team a little more potent than before.
After Forsythe, the Rays (against righties) will bat Logan Morrison (17 home runs last year), Evan Longoria (21), and Corey Dickerson (10 in an injury-plagued season). Desmond Jennings will follow, ahead of shortstop Brad Miller, Steven Souza Jr. and Kevin Keirmaier. The catcher (expected to be Curt Casali) will follow.
Against lefties, Brandon Guyer will bat second, Steve Pearce fourth and, sometimes, Tim Beckham ahead of Miller.
“We’ve got more thump at the top, and then we’ve got some speed toward the back end of the lineup,” manager Kevin Cash said.
The Rays open their season Sunday against the Blue Jays at 4:05 p.m.
