Series Preview: Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees (9/26-9/28)
The
Yankees come into their second to last series of the 2017 regular season down
four games in the American League East. While the odds are extremely slim that
they catch Boston for the division, the Yankees have still yet to secure home
field advantage for the Wild Card. The magic number to do so sits at two games,
which can be easily accomplished in this series against a Rays team that has
had an overall poor season.
Blake
Snell (4-6, 4.01 ERA) vs. Jordan Montgomery (8-7, 4.06)
TV:
YES
The
opening game of the series will be a duel of two young southpaws who both have
had rollercoaster seasons. Blake Snell comes into this game riding a string of
solid performances to go along with his historic success against the Yankees.
While he has yet to live up to the hype that surrounded him as one of top Rays’
prospects, he has shown glimpses of being able to shutdown opposing lineups.
Blake Snell’s most glaring weakness is his control as he averages more than
four walks per game and until recently has had issues keeping his pitch count
at a reasonable number late into games.
Jordan
Montgomery is pitching in what will likely be his last start of the season
unless the Yankees decide to pitch him the season’s final game against Toronto
over Jaime Garcia. Montgomery essentially blew past any preseason expectations and
has been an integral member of the Yankees starting staff. He is currently one
of the fringe contenders to make the postseason roster, so this start will be
huge for him in that aspect. Montgomery had his best start since early August
last time out versus Baltimore as he tossed six scoreless innings. The Yankees
will be looking for more of the same in the southpaw’s start.
Game Two (Wednesday,
September 27 | First Pitch: 7:05 PM ET)
Matt
Andriese (5-4, 4.44 ERA) vs. Luis Severino (13-6, 3.03 ERA)
TV:
WPIX
Matt
Andriese will start the second game of the three-game set for the Rays. He
missed more than two months over the summer due to injury and has not been
effective since his return. He has failed to pitch past the fifth inning in all
but one of his five starts since his DL activation. The Yankees offense needs
to take advantage of his recent slide and get him down early in the game.
A
crazy amount of run support should not be needed, however, as Luis Severino
will oppose Andriese. Severino has been magnificent this season and this should
be his final start before the Wild Card game barring any miraculous turn of
events. Severino had one of his worst starts of the season his last time out
versus the Twins, but was bailed out by the offense. Severino will look to get
back on track against the Rays and set himself up to pitch the biggest game of
his life.
 |
| Photo Credit: USA Today |
Game Three (Thursday,
September 28 | First Pitch: 7:05 PM ET)
Jacob
Faria (5-4, 3.33 ERA) vs. Sonny Gray (10-11, 3.31 ERA)
TV:
YES
Alex
Cobb was originally scheduled to pitch on Thursday, but due to 2017 being his
first back from Tommy John, the Rays are opting to skip it in favor of the
rookie Jacob Faria. Faria was a pleasant surprise in the beginning of the
season, but was demoted from the rotation after he had some troubles over the
summer. He has posted an ERA of 4.37 since the beginning of the second half compared
to his 2.11 ERA prior to the break. Faria failed to find the strike zone his
last time out versus the Bombers, so the Yankees need to continue their patient
approach against him.
Sonny
Gray will make his final start of the regular season in this finale. Gray has
been solid for the Yankees, but has yet to truly show his ability to dominate
opposing lineups on a start to start basis. Gray figures to be a huge factor in
the Yankees playoff rotation and this start could be a giant confidence boost
for not only him, but the team. Gray had his best start of the season for the
Yankees his last time out versus the Rays at Citi Field.
Players
to Watch:
Yankees
Aaron
Judge
After
crushing home run number 50 on Monday, all eyes will be set on Judge possibly
increasing his own record over the rest of the season. He is fresh off winning
AL Player of the Week and will be looking to continue raking for the rest of
the season and into the playoffs.
Aaron
Hicks
Aaron
Hicks was activated from the disabled list prior to Tuesday night’s game and
was immediately inserted into the leadoff role for the game. Hicks was arguably
one of the team’s most dangerous hitters in the spring months, but performed atrociously
following his activation from the DL. Some may argue he was not fully healed in
August, but after another almost whole month of absence Hicks should be ready
to go and be ready to prove that his early success was not a fluke.
 |
| Photo Credit: Getty Images |
Rays
Evan
Longoria
The
notorious Yankee-killer of the Rays, Longoria has arguably endured one of his
worst offensive seasons in his career in 2017. His 19 home runs are his lowest
total since 2012, when he only played 74 games. Nevertheless, Longoria is as dangerous
as anyone when he faces the Yankees, and he has the upmost potential to hurt
the Yankees in this series.
Logan
Morrison
Logan
Morrison has enjoyed a breakout season in the power department with 37 home
runs, but is known by most Yankee fans as the whining Home Run Derby snub who
believed Gary Sanchez was not worthy of a derby invitation. Morrison does have
the potential to hit home runs in bunches, and it would be a solid idea for the
Yankees to try to silence him once and for all in this series.
 |
| Photo Credit: Drays Bay |
The
Rays are 4-6 in their last ten games and appeared over matched in the series in
Queens earlier this month, however, they have the history of heavily enjoying
the role of being spoilers. The Yankees need to keep up their momentum from
their win versus Kansas City on Monday and continue to fight for the Wild Card
home field advantage and possibly a division title.
Article by: Ryan Thoms
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