Tampa Bay Rays (54-34) at New York Yankees (56-32)
7:05 PM ET on WWOR
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Starting Pitchers
TB: J. Shields (7-9, 4.87)
NYY: C. Sabathia (12-3, 3.09)
It was a somber All-Star week for the New York Yankees with the deaths of two of the most important people in the history of the most storied franchise in baseball — admired public address announcer Bob Sheppard and verbose owner George Steinbrenner.
Now the boys in pinstripes will carry on returning to Yankee Stadium to host division rival the Tampa Bay Devils for a three-game set the opens on Friday night in the Bronx.
Fans and critics alike can agree on one thing, Steinbrenner expected perfection, and that’s what he got as the dynasty he created currently have the best record in the majors, continuing their dominance in the AL East.
The team concluded their West Coast trip with a 6-1 record, giving them 13 wins in their last 17 road games.
The defending 2009 World Series champions will attempt to continue that excellence on strong starting pitching including Friday’s starter CC Sabathia. As the first half came to a close the lefty might very well be the best starting pitcher in the AL. He has posted his eighth straight victory Sunday at Seattle, allowing one run on six hits with one walk and one strikeout in seven innings. That win made him the first Yankee to win eight straight starts since Roger Clemens in the 2001 season. After a slow start he has brought the heat, giving him a good chance of competing for this year’s AL CY Young award. He is 1-2 with a 4.35 ERA in five starts against the Rays since joining the Yankees.
Although the passing of Steinbrenner eclipses the game, Tampa Bay will show no sympathy as they try to claw their way back atop the division, as they currently trail New York by two games.
They are 3-2 against the Yanks, sweeping two road games May 19-20. The Rays have won seven of eight overall, and are 10-1 on the road against AL East foes.
James Shields will try to improve his 2-7 record in 11 career starts against the Yankees as he toes the rubber in the series opener. The right-hander has two career starts against the New York this year, and is 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings.
The odds makers have the Yankees as –1-½ – favorites with a run total of 8 ½.
Even thought the Rays are playing well and have the edge in previous meetings this season. I think the emotion of Yankees Stadium and the dynamic pitching arm of Sabathia will carry the Bronx Bombers to a befitting victory and the UNDER.
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I am a huge fan of the Rays so i really enjoyed reading your article on the Tampa Bay Rays. I am glad i got tickets for the up coming baseball game for Tampa Bay.