Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees: AL East Rivals Open Up Series in the Bronx
May 7, 2012 · Jeff Grant · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The Tampa Bay Rays (19-10) and New York Yankees (15-13) will open up a three-game American League East series on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET.
Las Vegas oddsmakers established the Yankees as slight minus-115 home favorites, while the total is sitting at 9 but facing upward pressure in the betting market.
New York starting pitcher Ivan Nova (3-1, 5.58 ERA) is coming off his first loss of the year, dropping a 5-0 home decision to the Baltimore Orioles, as he surrendered five runs and nine hits over 6.1 frames.
The right-hander is 1-1 with a 7.64 ERA in three home starts, with opposing hitters batting .354 against him, which is far different than his 8-2 mark and 4.11 ERA in 14 home efforts in 2011.
In four career starts versus the Rays, Nova has produced a perfect 2-0 record and 3.47 ERA, including a 5-0 victory at home on Sept. 20 of last year.
The Yankees are 12-2 in Nova’s last 14 starts to open a series, while the “under” is 9-4-1 in his last 14 outings in the Bronx.
Tampa Bay starter James Shields (5-0, 3.05 ERA) has led the club to victory in all six of his starts, including a 5-4 home win over the Seattle Mariners last time out. He allowed four runs (one earned) and four hits in six frames.
The right-hander has only allowed five home runs in 41.1 innings this year, but four of those have come in his last two outings. He will need to keep the ball down in facing the Bronx Bombers in their own stadium.
In 21 career starts against the Yankees, Shields has gone 5-11 with a 4.39 ERA, including a 1-3 record and 3.97 ERA in five outings at the new Yankee Stadium. New York shortstop Derek Jeter is hitting .314 against him (22-for-70) with a home run and five RBI.
The Rays are 4-0 in Shields’ last four starts as an underdog, while the “under” is 5-2 in the last seven meetings in the Big Apple.
Weather forecasts suggest showers and game-time temperatures in the mid-60s in New York, with winds out of the south at 15-20 mph (right to left).
Total players will find that the “under” was 9-7 in those wind conditions at Yankee Stadium in 2011.
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