ST. PETERSBURG—The Rays are down to their final 27 innings of 2009, assuming the three games in this weekend’s series with the Yankees are played in regulation.

The games mean nothing to either team, since the Yankees have already been crowned the AL East champions and the the Rays have been eliminated from postseason play for awhile. But the Rays will try to build on their 3-1 homestand and carry some positive feelings into the winter.

There’s a twist to manager Joe Maddon’s lineup for the series opener: Fernando Perez is the designated hitter and batting last. Here is Tampa Bay’s lineup:

Jason Bartlett, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Ben Zobrist, 2B
Willy Aybar, 1B
Gabe Kapler, RF
B.J. Upton, CF
Dioner Navarro, C
Fernando Perez, DH
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David Price, LHP