Rays of Light

Game 89

6 road games to close out the first half of the season. 2 in the Bronx. The Rays can essentially bury the Yankees in this two-game set, as there’s no way in h-e-double hockey sticks that this Yankees team is coming back from 10 1/2 down to make the playoffs. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though. Scotty Kazmir looks to get this road trip off on the right foot against Andy Pettitte. Is there anyone you’d rather have on the mound?

Moreover, isn’t it amazing how we’re in mid-July and the Rays are playing in a series that’s must win… FOR THE YANKEES? It’s a thing of beauty and something I’m still not totally used to yet.

What to watch for: Jonny Gomes is 8-for-19 lifetime with 7 RsBI against Andy Pettitte. If ever he was going to break out, tonight would be the night.

Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
Scott Kazmir - The Rays ace had a career May, but has struggled in his last few appearances. Kazmir admitted his slider and changeup weren’t up to par in a five-inning appearance June 27 at Pittsburgh, and he didn’t fare much better vs. the Red Sox on Wednesday night. Kazmir threw 107 pitches in five innings and gave up a season-high seven hits. The reigning American League strikeout king matched his season-low by fanning three Sox batters and will look to reestablish his dominance vs. the Yankees. Kazmir won a May 15 contest in New York, delivering six shutout innings en route to a 5-1 Rays win, and will face the Yankees for the second time this season.

Andy Pettitte - The Yankees’ sharpest pitcher since early June, Pettitte was off his game in the opener of a four-game set with the Red Sox on Thursday, allowing five earned runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings to take his first loss since May 17. The loss prompted a closed-door meeting led by manager Joe Girardi.

Check out the Rays’ career numbers against Andy Pettitte.

View the game preview from Baseball Reference.


TAMPA BAY RAYS
NEW YORK YANKEES
2B - Akinori Iwamura CF - Melky Cabrera
LF - Carl Crawford SS - Derek Jeter
CF - B.J. Upton RF - Bobby Abreu
1B - Carlos Pena 3B - Alex Rodriguez
3B - Evan Longoria DH - Jorge Posada
C - Dioner Navarro 1B - Wilson Betemit
DH - Willy Aybar 2B - Robinson Cano
RF - Jonny Gomes C - Jose Molina
SS - Ben Zobrist LF - Brett Gardner

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