Previewing the Yankees and the Rays

Aug 9, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (38) pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Game One

The opening round of this divisional match-up pits starting rotation savior Brandon McCarthy, who was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks for the lifeless Vidal Nuno, toes the rubber for the Yankees, as they try and get back on the winning side of things. McCarthy is 4-1 since joining the pinstripers, and in his career against the existing members of the Rays team, he has a .181 BAA, a slugging of only .277, and an OPS of .495. Jose Molina and Yunel Escobar have had the most success against McCarthy, but only in limited action.

Alex Cobb will face a punchless Yankees’ lineup, as he goes for his eighth victory of the season against six losses. He, like McCarthy has had success against this current group of Yankees, with a .160 BAA in 94 at-bats. There isn’t a single Yankees who is hitting better than .250 against Cobb (Stephen Drew). Ichiro Suzuki has struggled the most, hitting only .176 in 17 career plate appearances.

This match-up is going to come down to who gets the key hit, and plays the best defense. The Rays’ bullpen has had it’s issues this season, so if the Yankees can get to Cobb early, it’ll bode well towards getting back into the win column.