BASEBALL: Rays, Twins out to shake off subpar starts to season

The start of the season has been far from perfect for the Minnesota Twins.

But manager Derek Shelton sees reason for optimism ahead of Friday's home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays.

"The one thing we're learning about this club," Shelton said, "is they fight."

After playing their first six games on the road, the Twins return home for a three-game weekend set. Minnesota dropped its first two series in Baltimore and Kansas City but is coming off a 5-1 win over the Royals on Thursday afternoon.

Tampa Bay, which is starting the season with a nine-game road trip, has an identical record as the Twins with two victories and four losses. The Rays dropped two of three games at the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers.

The Rays are coming off an 8-2 loss in their series finale against the Brewers on Wednesday that featured uncharacteristically shoddy defense. Tampa Bay has committed nine errors through its first six games, which ranks among the worst in the league.

Rays manager Kevin Cash expressed confidence that his players would improve on defense.

"It's going to be good," Cash said. "We just haven't been as good or as crisp as the standard so far."

Star slugger Junior Caminero pinned the blame on himself for the defensive miscues. He committed three errors in the series finale against the Brewers.

"I want to make perfect throws, I want to get the out," Caminero said through a team interpreter. "Just right now, it's not working."

The 22-year-old Caminero, who finished with 45 home runs and 110 RBIs last season, also is looking to get going at the plate. He is hitting .238 (5-for-21) with zero homers or RBIs, and he has six strikeouts to go along with six walks.

Yandy Diaz leads the Rays with 12 hits, including two homers, and eight RBIs in six games.

Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (0-0, 6.75 ERA) will look to stymie Diaz, Caminero and the rest of the Rays.

Ober is coming off a no-decision in his season debut against Baltimore. He allowed three runs on four hits in four innings, and he walked one and struck out one.

The 6-foot-9 hurler should be fresh after making only 56 pitches in his first start.

Tampa Bay will counter with another tall starter. Right-hander Joe Boyle (0-0, 3.00), who stands 6-8, will make his second start of the season.

In his season opener, Boyle allowed two runs on three hits in six innings against the Cardinals. He walked none and struck out four, and he threw 52 of 75 pitches for strikes.

Byron Buxton will look to get back on track for the Twins. He has been quiet at the plate, hitting .174 (4-for-23) with no homers and one RBI.

The early-season slump is uncharacteristic for the Twins' fan favorite who bashed 35 homers and swiped 24 bases a season ago.

Minnesota and Tampa Bay played six times last season, with each side winning three games. The Rays outscored the Twins 29-21 in those six contests.

-Field Level Media/Reuters