MINNEAPOLIS -- Chris Archer spent the first half of last season toiling for the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-12 record and 4.66 ERA. After the tough start, the right-hander's strong second half was somewhat overshadowed when he had a 3.25 ERA and 103 strikeouts in his final 91 1/3 innings.
Archer kept it going this season and has again been the ace at the top of the Tampa Bay rotation.
Archer (3-3, 3.76 ERA) will try to get the Rays' nine-game road trip off on good footing when he starts Friday against the Minnesota Twins.