Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees: Series Preview & Predictions
May 7, 2012 · Pete Schauer · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The Tampa Bay Rays (19-10) and the New York Yankees (15-13) will meet for their second series of the season, this time under heavier circumstances.
After sweeping the Bronx Bombers in the opening series of 2012 for both teams, the Rays have jumped out to a fast start, including a 13-3 home record.
Tampa Bay will carry their 6-7 road record to New York tomorrow, where the Yankees sport just a 7-6 record on their home turf.
The Rays currently sit just a half game behind the 19-9 Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League East, while the Yankees find themselves at fourth in the division, four games behind the O’s.
A clean sweep of the Rays would put the pinstripes just a half game behind Tampa in the standings and possibly closer to Baltimore, who opens up a series with the high-powered Texas Rangers tonight.
New York, of course, will be without future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera, who uncharacteristically blew a save against Tampa on opening day.
Here’s the info.
When: May 8-10
Where: Yankee Stadium
Injury Report
Brett Gardner: ESPN.com is reporting that Gardner could return to the Yanks’ lineup by Wednesday or Thursday, according to GM Brian Cashman. He was placed on the DL on April 18 with a strained right elbow.
Eric Chavez: Chavez suffered whiplash and a possible concussion after diving for a ball in the field against Baltimore on May 2. It’s possible for Chavez to return this week, maybe even against the Rays, but it’s not likely.
Desmond Jennings: Rays’ outfielder Desmond Jennings exited Sunday’s game with soreness in his left knee, reports MLB.com. For now, Elliot Johnson will man left field while Will Rhymes takes over at second base. There’s no timetable for Jennings’ return.
Tuesday, May 8 at 7:05 p.m. EST: James Shields (5-0, 3.05) vs. Ivan Nova (3-1, 5.58)
Shields enters Tuesday’s contest having won his last five starts while sporting a 1.23 WHIP on the young season.
His last outing on May 2 saw him allow just one earned run over six innings while striking out 11 Seattle Mariners. Shields currently leads the Rays’ staff in strikeouts with 39 in 41.1 IP.
Shields faced the Yankees on opening day in Tampa, but allowed six earned runs and three walks in five innings of work, resulting in a no-decision.
He’ll be opposed by Ivan Nova, who has yet to face the Rays yet this season.
Solid in his first three starts, Nova has given up a combined 11 runs and seven walks in his past two outings, resulting in a loss and a ND, as well as an inflated WHIP of 1.76.
He was great against the Rays in 2011, going 2-0 with a minuscule 0.69 ERA in two starts.
Wednesday, May 9 at 7:05 p.m. EST: Jeff Niemann (2-3, 4.05) vs. David Phelps (0-1, 3.74)
Jeff Niemann will go for the Rays on Wednesday after earning a victory on May 3 against the Seattle Mariners.
Niemann has walked 10 batters in 26.2 innings on the mound and has yet to pitch into the sixth inning this season, which will be a problem for the four-year starter against a patient Yankees’ lineup.
He hasn’t pitched poorly—Niemann hasn’t surrendered more than three earned runs in a start—but his lack of innings pitched is what inflates his ERA.
Long reliever David Phelps will get the nod for the home team after earning a loss in his first career start against the Kansas City Royals on May 3.
Phelps surrendered six hits and two earned runs over four innings pitched, and needed 85 pitches to do so.
He’s proved to be a solid reliever for New York out of the ‘pen when starters are struggling, but this will likely be Phelps’ last start with Andy Pettitte joining the Yankees shortly.
Thursday, May 10 at 7:05 p.m. EST: David Price (5-1, 2.35) vs. CC Sabathia (4-0, 4.15)
This looks to be the marquee pitching matchup of the series, with two Cy Young-caliber southpaws opposing each other.
David Price is certainly off to a hot start, sporting a 1.12 WHIP and earning wins in his last four starts.
The 26-year-old is coming off of an eight inning, 12 strikeout performance against the Oakland Athletics on May 4, where he surrendered just one earned run and one walk.
Price has been the most reliable starter for the Rays, tying for the team lead in wins and leading the staff in ERA.
After a rocky start, CC Sabathia has earned wins in four consecutive starts, including back-to-back eight strikeout performances against the heavyweight offenses of Texas and Detroit.
Sabathia currently leads the Yankees in wins and strikeouts, with 43 Ks in 43.1 IP, which ranks him No. 4 in the AL.
He was roughed up in the season-opener against the Rays to the tune of five earned runs and three walks in six innings pitched, resulting in a ND, making this matchup all the more interesting.
Who to Watch:
Derek Jeter: Jeter is scorching this season, hitting .397 with five homers, after hitting just six longballs all of last season. Jeter has hit safely in all but four games, including 16 multi-hit performances and three four-hit games. No one is hotter on the Yankees right now than the Captain.
B.J. Upton: Upton is in the last year of his contract and has been more of a disappointment in Tampa than a revelation. He has missed some time due to injury in 2012, but is still hitting .333 with two homers and 11 RBI in 14 games. This could be Upton’s last season to save his status in Tampa.
Prediction: Ivan Nova pitches well enough for the Yankees in game one to push New York past a solid outing by Shields. Phelps shows Girardi that he belongs in the bullpen in game two, and Sabathia outduels Price in the game three rubber match. New York wins the series, 2-1.
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