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 |
Be sure to join us in the chat room for some good Rays talk during the game!!!
Tags: Yankees
