After going 4-2 record on their most recent road trip, the Tampa Bay Rays are back home and preparing for a five game home stand which begins Friday. At just four games back of first, the Rays look to make up some ground in the AL East against the 28-18 division leading New York Yankees, in a three game weekend set.
The Evil Empire — like the Rays — are coming off a disappointing series loss to an AL East foe, while having won six of their last 10 games. Tampa Bay has an excellent chance to take at least a pair of games from the Yankees…that is, assuming the offense can keep on the up-and-up, and the pitching can stabilize.
Rays Hitters Vs. the Yankees Series Starters
David Phelps: Per Rotowire, “Phelps pitched Game 1 of Monday’s doubleheader against Cleveland and suffered a loss, as he pitched 6.2 innings and allowed one run, four hits and five walks to go along with seven strikeouts. Phelps has made two straight starts in which he’s allowed just one run over at least 6 2/3 innings. Against Tampa Bay, he has put together 10-1/3 innings of one run baseball while striking out 13 batters. The current Rays hitters have posted a combined a .156 BA/.250 OBP/.291 OBP/.469 OPS in 32 at-bats; that’s not the biggest sample size, but those certainly aren’t necessarily the best numbers either. Key match-ups: Matt Joyce (1-2), James Loney (1-4), Sean Rodrigiez (1-4).
CC Sabathia: Per Rotowire, “Sabathia will have his next start pushed back a day to Sunday, the Lower Hudson Journal News reports.” I really love watching the Rays face the swarthy LHP. They’ve been able to beat him seven times in the last three years, including back in April when they tagged Sabathia for five runs on seven hits. A good number of hitters — up and down the lineup — have had a great amount of success against CC, and Saturday’s match-up against Cobb promises to be a fun one. Key match-ups: Yunel Escobar (7-25, 2 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 2 BB), Sam Fuld (2-5, 3B, RBI), Kelly Johnson (5-15), Jose Lobaton (2-5, RBI, BB), Evan Longoria (15-41, 3 2B, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 11 BB), Ryan Roberts (3-7, 2 RBI, 2 RBI), Sean Rodriguez (10-31, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB).
Phil Hughes: Per Rotowire, “Hughes gave up two earned runs on five hits and two walks in six innings Tuesday, while striking out five Orioles.” Tampa Bay has posted a combined .274 BA/.350 OBP/.435 SLG/.785 OPS slash line against the 26-year old righty. Key match-ups: Yunel Escobar (7-19, 2 2B, RBI, BB), Matt Joyce (5-13, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 BB), James Loney (3-6), Ryan Roberts (1-3, 2B), Luke Scott (8-16, 3 2B, RBI, 2 BB).
Noteworthiness
- Alex Cobb swapped spots in the Rays’ rotation with Jake Odorizzi. Cobb will now start the final game of the Yankees series on Sunday, while Odorizzi will get the start against the Marlins on Monday.
- Too many two out runs! Tampa Bay has given up 15 two-out runs over the course of the last six games; a hypothetical average of 2.5 two out runs per game. That friends, is not good.
- On May 22, 2012 the Rays and Yankees roles were reversed: The Rays had a 26-18 record and a 3 1/2-game lead over the Yankees for second place in the American League East. The Yankees however took the division title. I like role reversals.
- Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Kevin Youkilis and Francisco Cervelli are all still on the disabled list.
- Evan Longoria is one of only 12 AL players going back to 1916 to reach in 45 (or 46) of the first 46 games.
- Speaking of Evan, Longo is batting .397 during a career-high 16-game hitting streak that is three shy of Jason Bartlett’s club-record run in 2009. He has hit .386 with 19 RBIs and 23 runs scored in that span.
- Curtis Granderson is 3-for-3 with a homer since returning from the disabled list. However,he is a career .197 hitter at Tropicana Field.