YGY Series Preview Show Rewind: Rays-Yankees (5/2-5/4)

May 1, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Grant Balfour (50) celebrates a victory against the Boston Red Sox in the second game of a double header at Fenway Park. (Photo Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports)

On this episode of the Yanks Go Yard Series Preview Show, I started off by taking a look back at the New York Yankees’ (15-12) series against the Seattle Mariners, where they lost both games. Even with Felix Hernandez not pitching in this series for the M’s due to inclement weather, the offense struggled to put any runs on the board. C.C. Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda also did not do a good job in getting out of jams in big spots. Robinson Cano had three RBI in his return back to Yankee Stadium. New York will now try to shake off these past two games as they face a Rays’ team that they split with back in Tropicana Field a couple of weeks ago.

My special guest for this show was a regular contributor to the Series Preview shows. Drew Jenkins of Rays Colored Glasses joined me to give the perspective on the Tampa Bay Rays (13-16). Despite being tied for last in the AL East, the Rays picked up a big sweep of the Boston Red Sox in a doubleheader on Thursday. While the starting rotation is still without Alex Cobb and Jeremy Hellickson, the team is only three games back due to the logjam that is the AL East. They also are lacking in the power department with Sean Rodriguez leading the team in homers with 4. That being said, don’t count out Evan Longoria and Wil Myers, who had a big series against the Yankees in April.

Here are some of the topics Drew and I discussed on the show:

• Rays’ doubleheader sweep of the Red Sox a turning point in their season?
• Reflections from the split series back in April at Tropicana Field
• David Price (Friday’s starter vs. Vidal Nuno) – racking up strikeouts, but giving up runs
• Nuno – a better starter than reliever?
• Why Drew thinks this is a big start for Jake Odorizzi on Saturday
• Masahiro Tanaka looking to continue his success Saturday
• C.C Sabathia looking to continue his success vs. Rays from a few weeks ago (vs. Erik Bedard Sunday)
• Why I think May will be the month for Brian McCann
• Players To Watch (James Loney and Yunel Escobar)
• Grant Balfour looking strong in his 2nd stint with the Rays
• Drew’s take on the AL East thus far

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE RAYS-YANKEES SERIES PREVIEW SHOW!!!