YGY Series Preview Show: Yankees-Rays (5/24-5/26)

The New York Yankees (28-18) suffered a minor setback in Baltimore earlier this week as they lost two of three to the Baltimore Orioles. Even though Travis Hafner and Vernon Wells saved the day in Game 1, the Yankees got walked off on Tuesday by Nate McClouth in the 10th inning and then suffered a huge injury scare to one of their premiere starting pitchers on Wednesday. Fortunately, Hiroki Kuroda should be able to make his next start in the Subway Series after taking a line drive off of his calf in the 3rd inning. As far as the positives in this series, Adam Warren was solid in relief once again, Curtis Granderson had three hits and a home run on Wednesday out of the lead-off spot, and third baseman David Adams had two home runs in the series. Now, the Bronx Bombers head down to Tampa where their home away from home hasn’t been friendly to them as of late.

will try to continue to pad his

resume on Saturday as he tries to dominate the Yankees for the 2nd time this year. (Photo Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports)

For the Tampa Bay Rays (24-22), the season so far has been what the record indicates. Last year’s AL Cy Young award winner, David Price, is on the disabled list due to a triceps injury. Plus, the bullpen has been inconsistent with Fernando Rodney blowing four saves and having more walks than he had all of season. That being said, the team has seen a healthy Evan Longoria all season (9 home runs), a re-vitlalized James Loney (.350 batting average), and the emergence of a future Cy Young Award winner in Saturday’s starter, Matt Moore (8-0, 2.29 ERA). Joe Maddon‘s team seems to always gives the Yankees fits in Tropicana Field and there’s no reason to think it will be different this weekend even with the Yankees giving CC Sabathia an extra day of rest.

On this episode of the Yanks Go Yard Series Preview Show presented by BaldVinny.com, I recap the Orioles’ series and discuss why the Yankees should still be a little bit careful with the Kuroda injury. Plus, I talked with David Hill from RaysColoredGlasses.com about Tampa’s season thus far. This includes the move by Maddon to start Alex Cobb Sunday ahead of Jake Odorizzi, the emergence of Loney, and who could be next-in-line to be the Rays’ closer. Finally, we discuss the surprises that both of us have seen in the AL East so far as we head near Memorial Day.

CLICK HERE FOR THE YANKEES-RAYS SERIES PREVIEW SHOW!!!