Rays, Pirates look to escape June doldrums

After losing their series with their American League East rival, the New York Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays will host a relatively unfamiliar foe -- the Pittsburgh Pirates -- in a three-game series in St. Petersburg, Fla., starting Friday night.

Most recently, the Pirates won two of three at home against Tampa Bay in 2017, but their last visit to the domed stadium was eight seasons ago. They hold a 9-6 all-time mark agains