LAKE BUENA VISTA — Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey often tells his pitchers the baseball season is a painting, a masterpiece composed of thousands of pitches — 3,000, maybe more.
The first pitch, the first stroke, will take place April 3 not long after 4 p.m. when the Rays open against the visiting Blue Jays.
“I’m going to be the one to do that,” Chris Archer said, “and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Manager Kevin Cash announced Monday morning what everyone who follows his baseball team already knew — Archer will be the Opening Day starter.