Play Ball? Marlins and Rays Not Taking the Field on Opening Day

The 2011 Major League Baseball season kicks off on Thursday -- but fans of the two teams in the Sunshine State have to wait until Friday. While there are six games on Thursday, neither the Florida Marlins (who will be renamed the Miami Marlins after the season) and the Tampa Bay Rays will be playing ball on opening day.

The Rays --who have high hopes this year despite divisional rivals, the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, looking strong -- kick off the season at home on Friday when they face a fellow AL East team in the Baltimore Orioles. While the Marlins are not expected to do as well as the Rays, the franchise has a history of defying the odds despite a low payroll. They start the season at home against the New York Mets on Friday.