First-place Rays set to host struggling Mariners

The Tampa Bay Rays look to build upon their newfound lead atop the American League East standings when they host the Seattle Mariners for a three-game series beginning Monday.

The Rays flipped a 1 1/2-game deficit in their division to a 1 1/2-game lead courtesy of a three-game home sweep of the Boston Red Sox over the weekend. Tampa Bay has won nine of its last 12 overall despite having a franchise-record 15 pitchers cur