TAMPA -- The Rays had their reasons for switching up their pitching plans on Friday night and slotting reliever Griffin Jax ahead of starter Ian Seymour , their first traditional use of an opener all season.

Pitching coach Kyle Snyder noted the first-inning assignment would be “a little bit of a softer landing” for Jax, a former starter with dynamic stuff who has struggled to find consistent success since joining the Rays at the Trade Deadline .

They also thought running out a hard-throwing right-hander before a slower-tossing lefty would force the Guardians to make some difficult decisions with their always-flexible lineup and present two wildly different looks for Cleveland’s hitters.

And they trusted Seymour, who worked as a reliever before moving into the Rays rotation last mo

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