Series Preview: The Rays And The Yankees

Sep 7, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (2) tags out Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) in the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Series Overview

It’s hard to repeat oneself, but that is the situation the New York Yankees put those who cover them in. After putting together a nice series against the rival Boston Red Sox, one in which they took 2 of 3 games, the allowed the playoff-bound Kansas City Royals to not only win their series, but the Royals shut them out twice. The strangest thing about this past weekend’s series? In the two losses in which the Yankees were shutout, neither Michael Pineda nor Shane Greene allowed an earned run from the mound in those losses. It’s as bad as it can get for the Yankees, who are now down to 21 games to salvage what has been a disappointing season, and to get their Captain, Derek Jeter one last chance to see October baseball.

The Rays are looking to just finish 2014 healthy and put the entire season behind them. Devastating injuries to their starting rotation, inconsistent hitting, and issues at times with the back-end of the bullpen, have made this Joe Maddon‘s worst season as skipper of the upstart Rays this year. Unlike the big market teams, when the Rays miss on an assumption and projection on the roster, they don’t have the money to go out and correct that mistake. Looking to the future, they dealt ace David Price to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for some pieces that they hope can help return them to prominence in the American League East as early as next spring.

If the Yankees are going to make up the 4 1/2 games they need in the Wild Card hunt, they will need to handle business starting tonight against their division foe. With a needed projection of 90-wins or more to make it to October, the Bombers will have to win almost 2 out of every 3, and split the four-game sets they partake in. Otherwise, they’ll miss the playoffs for the second straight season. Let’s take a look at what this season holds for us!

Aug 28, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (18) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Game One

Tonight’s series opener is probably the best pitching match-up of the entire series. For Tampa, youngster Chris Archer is still trying to find his consistency, while the Yankees send Hiroki Kuroda to the hill. Kuroda has been stellar over his last half dozen starts. Kuroda has won three of his last four starts, including striking out 8 in his most recent victory, his 10th of the season against the Boston Red Sox. The Rays have owned Kuroda over his career, as he has a 3-4 record, with an ERA north of 5.50. Yunel Escobar and Matt Joyce have had the most success of any Rays’ hitters against the 39-year-old righty.

Archer’s inconsistency has stretched over his past two starts, where he got rocked by the Red Sox, and then turned around and gave up 6 earned to the Toronto Blue Jays. He’s hoping to get back on track against the Yankees, whom he’s had some success. In 13 2/3 innings, he’s only allowed three earned runs. In his career, Archer is 4-0, with an ERA of 1.51. Jacoby Ellsbury is hitting over .800 in just under 10 career ABs vs. Archer.