GameDay Preview: Yankees, Rays Square Off For Second Straight Weekend
NEW YORK — For the second straight weekend, bitter American League East rivals New York and Tampa Bay go at it again and, as usual, there's a lot at stake.
The Rays are off to a historic start, racing out to a 29-9 record as we reach the end of the first quarter of the season this weekend. The Yankees, decimated by injuries, are 21-17 and despite the fact that they are four games over .500, they are dead last in the AL East, eight games behind the Rays.
But they've got slugger Aaron Judge back in the lineup for this season, something they didn't have last weekend in Florida, when the Rays won two of three games, including coming back from six runs down against New York ace Gerrit Cole to win 8-7.
It won't be easy for the Yankees, though, starting on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. ET. They have to face Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who is 3-2 with a 3.11 earned run average this season but has had four scoreless outings out of seven so far, allowing just eight hits over 23 2/3 innings. Only Detroit's Eduardo Rodriguez and Toronto's Kevin Gausman have four just starts.
He's also been very good against the Yankees during his career. He has thrown 14 scoreless innings in three appearances, including two starts, against the Bronx Bombers. Five and two-thirds of those innings came last Saturday, when he allowed only two hits, but didn't into the decision when the Rays' bullpen allowed three runs in the eighth inning in the 3-2 loss.
“They’ve got a good ballclub,” Judge said. “Those competitive juices really get going when you’re playing another good team. They’ve got great pitchers, they’ve got a great lineup that’s really not only putting the ball in play, but doing some damage and hitting a lot of home runs.
“Over the years, it’s been fun going toe-to-toe with those guys. We’ve seen them in the postseason, battles here at home, battles at the Trop. We’re looking forward to another great series against them.''
Tampa Bay has the best pitching in baseball, with a league-best 2.95 ERA, ahead of Minnesota (3.29. This includes the best starter ERA (2.90) and the third-best bullpen ERA (3.01).
The Rays are one of 17 teams since 1901 to win 29 of their first 38 games, including the first since the 1984 Detroit Tigers (33-5). Tampa Bay has outhomered opponents, 75-24, and its 24 homers allowed are fewest in the majors. The Rays have an MLB-best 22 multi-homer games. Last season, the Rays 34 multi-homer games were tied for fifth-fewest in the majors.
The two teams play again on Friday night, with day games on Saturday and Sunday.
Here are the starting lineups for Thursday night's game:
TAMPA BAY STARTING LINEUP
- Yandy Diaz, 1B
- Wander Franco, SS
- Randy Arozarena, LF
- Brandon Lowe, 2B
- Taylor Walls, 3B
- Luke Raley, DH
- Manuel Margot, CF
- Josh Lowe, RF
- Francisco Mejia, C
SP — Drew Rasmussen (3-2. 3.11 ERA)
NEW YORK STARTING LINEUP
- Anthony Volpe, SS
- Aaron Judge CF
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- D.J.LeMahieu, 3B
- Gleyber Torres 2B
- Jake Bauers, LF
- Harrison Bader, CF
- Jose Trevino, C
- Willie Calhoun, DH
SP — Domingo German (2-2. 4.35 ERA)
