Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Beat Up On the Yankees, 8-3

The Rays have put together their best post-All Star Break streak, winning six straight games while eliminating both the Yankees and the Oriole from playoff contention in the process. The Tribe defeated the ChiSox, so the Rays maintain just a one game lead over Cleveland with four left to play. They’ll attempt their second consecutive streak with Alex Cobb on the mound. Cobber will take on Ivan Nova, and you can read about the pitching match-up here. I’ll post the starting lineup when it becomes available.

Lean, mean Rays should beat the Yankees (Repost)

So, they were back, sort of. You might already be tired of this “underdog Yankees” thing, but to their credit after blowing out the Toronto Blue Jays last week, the Bombers had improved their fortunes: They elevated themselves all the way up to tail-end Charlie of the American League’s postseason pack, and for all that, they were nevertheless still in fourth place in the American League East.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Chris Archer, Rays Handcuff Yankees In 7-2 Win

The outcome of Friday night’s meeting under the big top couldn’t have been better…well, that is unless you’re a Yankees fan. With Chris Archer at the helm, Tampa Bay handcuffed the Bronx Bummers by a score of 7-2, effectively deflating the big-headed behemoth that is the Yankees — a team that entered the Trop in the midst of a five game winning streak, also having won eight of their last 10. The icing on the cake: Tampa Bay starts the day percentage points in first place in the AL East, following a late night Red Sox loss to the Dodgers.

The New What Next: Rays vs. Yankees, Yet Another Series Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays will welcome the New York Yankees into the Trop once again, this time for a three game set. As with the last series, the Rays will try to hold their ground in the AL East, and the Yankees will attempt to stay relevant. The Evil Empire has gotten relatively hot, winning …