The Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees close out a rain-shortened American League East series Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium
Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees
Tampa Bay fell victim to all the dramatic circumstances of Yankee Stadium on Saturday, dropping a 5-4 contest and watching Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter create an historic moment. “It was a great day at the new Yankee Stadium,” said Rays manager Joe Maddon. “You would have liked for him to just have had two hits, but it was a great baseball game.” The Rays will be sending at least three players to the All-Star Game for the fourth straight year after today’s contest, while looking to improve upon their 28-19 road record. Sunday also serves as game three in a stretch of 10 consecutive games against the Yankees and Red Sox. Tampa Bay is 16-13 overall this season versus divisional opponents.
Rays starting pitcher James Shields is 8-6 with a 2.47 ERA in 18 starts this season and is looking to snap a two-game losing streak. The right-hander has allowed seven runs (six earned) and 13 hits over his last 13 frames in facing the Reds and Twins. Shields is a solid 5-2 with a 2.94 ERA in nine road starts, but has surrendered nine home runs in 64 1/3 frames. He has posted a solid 4-2 mark and 1.61 ERA in seven daytime starts, as opponents are hitting just .194 against him. In 16 lifetime appearances versus the Yankees, he brings in a 9-3 record and 4.83 ERA.
New York is 12-3 in its last 15 home games after yesterday’s victory and can move past the distraction of Jeter chasing 3,000 hits. “It would have been really, really awkward to be out there doing interviews if we had lost,” Jeter commented. “If we didn’t win, it definitely would have put a damper on things.” The Yankees haven’t been losing any games during the afternoon, coming in with a Major League-best 25-5 daytime mark. The club is hitting .280 combined during the day and the pitching staff paces the majors with a 2.73 ERA. New York is 26-13 when playing teams with a winning record this year.
Yankees starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia is a dominating 12-4 with a 2.90 ERA in 19 starts this season and comes in riding a five-game winning streak. The left-hander has been incredible over his last two outings especially, tossing 13 2/3 shutout innings and allowing just 11 hits in victories over the Brewers and Indians. Sabathia has a winning 5-2 mark and 3.41 ERA in 10 home games, surrendering just two home runs in 71 1/3 frames. He will be making his 21st career start versus the Rays this afternoon, bringing in a 8-5 record and 3.24 ERA.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Rays due to their 5-1 mark versus left-handed starters, while the Yankees are 1-4 versus righties
