Ironworker’s Viral Views: How Tropicana Field’s Roof Was Rebuilt After Hurricane Milton ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When Hurricane Milton devastated Tropicana Field in 2024, it left a gaping hole in the iconic stadium’s roof and the St. Petersburg skyline. The storm’s aftermath sparked a massive restoration effort, requiring a specialized team of ironworkers to rebuild the structure. Among them was Christopher Torres, a member of Ironworkers Local 48, who traveled from Oklahoma City to help restore the home of the Tampa Bay Rays. His experience, marked by physical challenges, breathtaking views, and an unexpected outpouring of community support, became a viral story that highlighted the resilience of both the city and its workers. The restoration project began in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which struck in late 2024, tearing through the stadium’s roof and leaving the structure exposed to the elements. The Tampa Bay Rays, whose team had long called Tropicana Field home, were forced to relocate for the 2025 season. However, the team returned to the venue on April 6, 2026, signaling the start of the stadium’s recovery. For Torres, the project was unlike anything he had encountered before. “I showed up and I was like, ‘What the hell are we doing here?’” he recalled, laughing. “It’s a tarp. I’ve never done anything that big.” The task of repairing the roof demanded a unique blend of manual labor and precision. Unlike traditional ironwork projects that rely on heavy machinery, the restoration required Torres and his crew to work nearly 250 feet above the field, using only gloves, ratchet straps, and sheer physical strength to pull, stretch, and secure the massive new fabric. The process was grueling, with workers spending months suspended in the air, their focus entirely on the task at hand.#tropicana_field #st_petersburg #tampa_bay_rays #christopher_torres #ironworkers_local_48
Small Depression Forms in Tropicana Field Parking Lot A small depression has formed in part of Tropicana Field’s parking lot in St. Petersburg, Florida, due to a broken water pipe that washed away dirt and created a sinkhole-like area. City officials confirmed the incident occurred after the pipe ruptured, leading to the erosion of the surrounding soil. Beth Herendeen, a representative from the city of St. Petersburg, stated that the damaged pipe has been repaired, but crews are delaying the full restoration of the affected area until next week. This decision was made to avoid disrupting the busy schedule of the Tampa Bay Rays’ home opener, which is set to begin on Monday. The incident has prompted the city to temporarily block off the damaged section of the parking lot to ensure public safety. While the immediate cause of the pipe failure remains under investigation, officials emphasized that the repair work will be prioritized once the baseball season’s early schedule eases. The Rays’ home opener marks the start of the 2024 season, and the team’s return to Tropicana Field has drawn significant attention from fans and local media. The depression in the parking lot has sparked discussions among residents and visitors about infrastructure maintenance in the area. Some have raised concerns about the frequency of such incidents, particularly given the region’s fluctuating weather patterns and the potential for underground utility failures. City officials have not yet provided further details on the extent of the damage or the cost of repairs, but they have assured the public that the issue is being addressed promptly. This development comes as the Tampa Bay Rays prepare to welcome fans back to their home stadium after a period of renovations and adjustments to the facility.#tropicana_field #st_petersburg #tampa_bay_rays #spectrum_news #water_pipe
Cubs vs. Rays Series Preview: Key Matchups and Team Insights The Chicago Cubs are set to face the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game series at the renovated Tropicana Field, marking their third consecutive matchup against an American League team. The series, scheduled for April 6–8, 2026, will see both teams enter with identical 4-5 records, though the Rays have played all nine of their games on the road to ensure the new stadium was ready for its home opener. The Cubs, meanwhile, aim to extend their winning streak against the Rays, who have struggled to maintain leads and provide run support for their pitching staff. The Rays’ season has been a mixed bag, with early-season challenges despite the return of All-Star pitcher Shane McClanahan. McClanahan made his 2026 debut against the Milwaukee Brewers, delivering a strong performance in his lone start, though the team’s offense failed to capitalize on opportunities. Drew Rasmussen, another key pitcher, has also shown promise with a 1.80 ERA, posing a significant threat to the Cubs’ lineup. However, the Rays’ defense has been a concern, with frequent errors and inconsistent results complicating their efforts to secure wins. For the Cubs, the series presents an opportunity to build momentum after a challenging start to the season. The team’s 11-14 all-time record against the Rays includes a 2-6 mark in Tampa, where they lost three straight games in 2008 and split two contests in 2017. Last year, the Cubs won two of three games at Wrigley Field, offering a glimmer of hope for a strong showing in the renovated Tropicana Field. The Cubs’ lineup will need to capitalize on key players like Chandler Simpson, whose speed and aggressive base-running could disrupt the Rays’ defense. The pitching matchups are a critical factor in the series.#chicago_cubs #tropicana_field #tampa_bay_rays #shane_mcclanahan #drew_rasmussen
Chicago Cubs vs. Tampa Bay Rays Game Preview: Early Season Rivalry and Key Matchups The Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays are set to face off for the first time this season on Monday, April 6, at 3:10 CT. This matchup marks the earliest date in the Cubs’ history for a game against the Rays, surpassing the previous earliest meeting on April 18, 2022, at Wrigley Field. The Rays’ last visit to Chicago was June 11, 2024, and the Cubs’ first games against the Angels and Guardians this season also set new early-season records for those rivalries. The Cubs’ recent performance against the Rays has been mixed, with the team losing three of their last four games against them. Notably, the Cubs have struggled to convert three-homer games into wins, losing the last three such contests. The most recent loss occurred in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians on March 29, where the Cubs fell 6-5 despite hitting three home runs. Prior to that, the Cubs had a strong record in three-homer games, winning 16 of 19 contests since Sept. 30, 2023. The Cubs split their doubleheader against the Guardians on Sunday, ending a long drought since their last road doubleheader sweep on Sept. 11, 2015, at Philadelphia. The team has also excelled in base-stealing, recording eight stolen bases without being caught this season, a feat unmatched by any other MLB team. The pitching matchup features Jameson Taillon for the Cubs and Shane McClanahan for the Rays. Taillon, making his 2026 season debut, struggled in his first start, walking four batters and failing to complete the fifth inning. However, his performance was a marked improvement over his Spring Training struggles. Taillon’s last appearance against the Rays was on June 11, 2024, when he pitched six shutout innings, striking out five.#chicago_cubs #tampa_bay_rays #jameson_taillon #shane_mcclanahan #cedric_mullins
Cubs vs. Rays Game Prediction and Odds for April 6, 2026 The Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays are set to face off in an interleague matchup on Monday, April 6, 2026, as part of Tampa Bay’s home opener at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:10 p.m. ET, with the Rays listed as -124 favorites on the money line, while the Cubs are +104 underdogs. The over/under total runs for the game is set at 8. SportsLine’s computer model, which has a track record of profitability in MLB betting, has simulated the matchup 10,000 times and has locked in its predictions for the game. The Cubs, who entered the season with a 4-5 record, are coming off a doubleheader split against the Cleveland Guardians. In the first game, they defeated the Guardians 1-0, while they lost the second game 6-5. The team, which finished second in the National League Central with a 92-70 record in 2025, has struggled on the road, posting a 42-39 record. Meanwhile, the Rays, with a 4-5 record of their own, have shown stronger performance at home, going 41-40 in their home games. Tampa Bay finished fourth in the American League East in 2025 and has been a formidable offensive force, ranking sixth in MLB with a .265 team batting average. The Rays’ offense is highlighted by their ninth-best slugging percentage at .391, while the Cubs have struggled offensively, ranking 13th in the league at .249. SportsLine’s model projects that the Rays will have a strong showing, with key players like Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda, Junior Caminero, and Nick Fortes expected to contribute over 1.5 total bases combined. The Cubs’ lineup, featuring Michael Busch, Alex Bregman, Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Nico Hoerner, and Carson Kelly, is projected to generate more than 1.48 total bases.#chicago_cubs #sportsline #tropicana_field #tampa_bay_rays #yandy_diaz
Brewers Learned Valuable Jacob Misiorowski Lesson in Second Start of Season Wednesday afternoon was not Jacob Misiorowski’s best performance by any means. In a way, that was almost more encouraging than if it had been. Misiorowski took the mound in the Brewers’ series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, and his afternoon was workmanlike. He didn’t dominate the Rays, but he pitched more than well enough to win the game, and that’s what Milwaukee wound up doing after a runaway six-run eighth inning. For a six-inning, two-earned-run performance, Misiorowski showed quite a bit of mettle, and that has to feel good for the Brewers as they look for the 24-year-old to carry more of the rotation load than he did in year one. Misiorowski came out of the gates firing, striking out four batters in his first two innings. But he ran into trouble in the third inning, allowing two runs on a hit batsman and a Yandy Daz home run, and for a lot of pitchers, an inning like that can be the difference between a bad day and a solid one. At the end of that tiresome third inning, Misiorowski was at 58 pitches already, and it seemed like he was heading for a stereotypical “five and dive” outing that might strain Milwaukee’s excellent bullpen a bit. Instead, he locked in from there and showed the Brewers that he’s not just a pure power pitcher if he needs to eat some innings. In the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, Misiorowski struck out only one batter, but that enabled him to get through those three frames in just 36 pitches. The Brewers handed the game off from there to some of their reliable high-leverage relievers. Aaron Ashby got the win as the Brewers pulled away in the bottom of the eighth.#milwaukee_brewers #tampa_bay_rays #jacob_misiorowski #aaron_ashby #yandy_daz
Jacob Misiorowski's Growth Leads Takeaways from Brewers' 8-2 Win Over Rays The Milwaukee Brewers secured an 8-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on April 1, 2026, after a dramatic six-run rally in the eighth inning. The win marked the third time in the last four years the Brewers had opened the season 5-1 through six games, continuing their strong start to the 2026 season. Christian Yelich delivered the game-winning hit with a two-run single in the eighth, capping a pivotal rally that turned the tide in favor of the Brewers. The game, played at American Family Field, was a nail-biter until the final innings, with the Brewers overcoming a tense sequence of events. Misiorowski, the team’s first quality starter of the season, pitched six innings, showcasing resilience despite early challenges. His performance was critical in setting the stage for the Brewers’ late-game surge. Misiorowski’s outing was marked by a mid-inning umpiring delay that disrupted his rhythm. Home plate umpire CB Bucknor’s controversial call—a foul ball that struck his mask off the bat of Nick Fortes—triggered a 13-minute delay as Bucknor was assessed. The disruption affected Misiorowski’s focus, as he struggled to regain his sharpness after the delay. He allowed a two-run homer to Yandy Diaz in the third inning, prompting manager Pat Murphy to acknowledge the impact of the delay on the pitcher’s performance. Despite the early hiccups, Misiorowski rebounded with the help of a mound visit from pitching coach Chris Hook and self-reflection. He adjusted his approach, limiting damage and eventually securing the win. His six-inning start was a significant milestone for the 23-year-old, marking his first such performance of the season.#milwaukee_brewers #pat_murphy #tampa_bay_rays #jacob_misiorowski #christian_yelich
Milwaukee Brewers Secure Series Victory Over Rays with Explosive Homestand Performance The Milwaukee Brewers extended their dominance on their opening homestand, securing a 5-1 series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays with a combination of offensive firepower, aggressive baserunning, and defensive lapses that sparked heated debate. The Brewers’ 8-2 win on Wednesday at American Family Field marked their fifth consecutive victory in the six-game homestand, capping a thrilling stretch that showcased their ability to thrive in close games. The win also highlighted the team’s reliance on stolen bases, bunts, and unearned runs, reigniting discussions about the impact of their aggressive style of play on opposing defenses. The game began with the Rays struggling to contain the Brewers’ offense, which capitalized on two critical errors by shortstop Junior Caminero. The first mistake occurred in the third inning when Caminero misfielded a ground ball, allowing Brice Turang to reach second base and eventually score on a two-run home run. Caminero’s second error in the eighth inning—dropping a throw at first base after a chaotic play—set the stage for a six-run rally. Christian Yelich, who had already hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in the previous game against the White Sox, delivered the go-ahead single, driving in two runs and igniting a late-game surge. The Brewers’ offensive explosion was further amplified by Garrett Mitchell’s two-run double and contributions from Blake Perkins and David Hamilton, who each added a run. The Rays’ defensive struggles were not limited to Caminero. The team’s infield errors, combined with the Brewers’ speed, created chaos in the infield, allowing Milwaukee to load the bases and exploit the Rays’ bullpen.#junior_caminero #tampa_bay_rays #american_family_field #milkaukee_brewers #christian_yelich
Nationals' Blake Butera Makes History as MLB's Youngest Manager Blake Butera, 33, will become the youngest manager in Major League Baseball history when he takes the field for the Washington Nationals’ Opening Day game against the Chicago Cubs on March 26. His appointment marks a significant shift in the sport’s leadership, as he will be the first manager in MLB named Blake, a name that has steadily climbed in popularity over the decades. While the focus on his age may overshadow his qualifications, Butera’s background as a key figure in the Tampa Bay Rays’ organization and his ability to connect with younger players position him as a promising leader in the evolving landscape of baseball. Butera’s rise to the managerial role is part of a broader trend of generational change in the sport. The name “Blake” has transitioned from a relatively obscure choice in the 1960s and ’70s to a more common name by the 1990s, peaking at No. 84 in popularity. Today, it ranks around No. 95, but its cultural presence has grown significantly, from preschool classrooms to youth sports teams. Butera, a new father himself, represents a new era of leadership in baseball, where younger managers are increasingly shaping the game. The Nationals’ decision to hire Butera, a 33-year-old with extensive experience in player development and management, reflects their commitment to a rebuild centered around youth and innovation. The team’s roster includes several players younger than Butera, with only veteran starter Miles Mikolas, 37, older than him. This dynamic has prompted discussions about whether his age provides an edge in relatability, though Butera emphasizes that his focus is on preparation and performance.#washington_nationals #blake_butera #chicago_cubs #tampa_bay_rays #miles_mikolas
The Tampa Bay Rays have unveiled their Opening Day lineup for the 2026 season, featuring several unexpected choices that deviate from initial expectations. Manager Kevin Cash has opted for a left-handed pitcher to start the game, marking a notable shift from the anticipated rotation. This decision is partly due to the absence of first-round draft pick Matthew Liberatore, who was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in the January 2020 deal for Randy Arozarena. Liberatore, now with the Cardinals, will make his first Opening Day start, facing off against Drew Rasmussen, who also earns his first start of the season. The Rays’ lineup against the Cardinals’ southpaw includes Jonathan Aranda at first base and Cedric Mullins II in center field. Mullins, a 31-year-old veteran, has been selected over in-house starter Jonny DeLuca, who has struggled with injuries. Mullins’ performance last season, with a -14 Defensive Runs Saved rating in 120 games started, contrasts with DeLuca’s 1 DRS in 14 starts. The Rays’ decision to prioritize Mullins highlights their confidence in his defensive capabilities. Ryan Vilade, a utility defender, is also included in the starting lineup, with the 27-year-old journeyman batting second. Despite a modest .179 wOBA in 71 career plate appearances, Vilade’s strong Triple-A performance in 2025 (135 wRC+ across two organizations) has earned the Rays’ trust. The team’s faith in his bat is evident in his placement in the lineup. The game is set for a 4:15 p.m. start, with the Rays’ strategic choices reflecting both their roster adjustments and confidence in key players. The lineup underscores the team’s focus on balancing experience with emerging talent, as they prepare for the 2026 season.#st_louis_cardinals #tampa_bay_rays #kevin_cash #jonathan_aranda #cedric_mullins_ii
Top Cardinals Prospect JJ Wetherholt Makes Opening Day Roster JJ Wetherholt, the Cardinals’ seventh-round pick in the 2024 amateur draft, has secured a spot on the team’s opening day roster for the 2025 season. Cardinals director of baseball operations Chaim Bloom confirmed the decision during a Monday press conference, stating that Wetherholt will join the major league squad for the season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 23-year-old shortstop, who played for West Virginia in college, spent the spring training season with the St. Louis Cardinals. During that time, he posted a batting average of .212, with two home runs and seven RBIs. Bloom highlighted Wetherholt’s potential, emphasizing his readiness to contribute at the major league level. Wetherholt’s recent performance in 2025 further solidified his case for the roster. Across 138 games split between Double-A and Triple-A, he combined for a .306 batting average, 19 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases. His offensive production, particularly his power and speed, has drawn attention from scouts and coaches alike. Bloom also announced that the Cardinals will bring infielders Jose Fermin and Thomas Saggese, along with outfielder Nathan Church, to St. Louis for the season opener. The moves reflect the team’s strategy to bolster its roster with young talent ahead of the 2025 campaign. The Cardinals’ decision to include Wetherholt on the opening day roster signals confidence in his ability to adapt to the majors. While he will need to prove himself in the big leagues, his track record of success at the minor league level positions him as a key player for the team’s future. As the season approaches, fans will be watching closely to see how Wetherholt performs in his debut.#west_virginia #jj_wetherholt #st_louis_cardinals #chaim_bloom #tampa_bay_rays
