Yankees hitters vs. Tampa Bay Rays starters

The last of the series of editorials, evaluating New York Yankees hitters when facing American League East starting pitching, this one focusing on the ever-pesky Tampa Bay Rays.

Being the poorest team in MLB as of 2016, the Tampa Bay Rays do not have much to work with. Last season the Rays finished just under .500, with an 80-82 record but their starters still managed to allow the fifth least hits among all teams. The Yankees, they are not.

A team that, although not always the best, can usually limit their opponents. As a group, Rays’ starters have been in the top half of all MLB teams in ERA since swapping names from the Devil Rays to the Rays back in 2007.

The Rays, although on the verge of losing one of their better pitchers last season in Alex Cobb, still look to have a bright starting pitching future. With their oldest starter being Chris Archer, who is 29 and well established in MLB, the Rays are hoping to exploit any untapped potential they can in their 2018 rotation.

The rotation includes the two-time All-Star Archer, Jake Odorizzi, Blake Snell, Jake Faria, Matt Andriese and the probable sixth starter, Austin Pruitt.

And don’t forget about the former Yankee, Nate Eovaldi, who is still a part of this sandlot type Rays team. The 27-year-old hasn’t pitched in a professional game since 2016, being placed on the 60-day disabled list as of March 2017 after having Tommy John Surgery to repair the UCL and flexor tendon in his pitching arm.

With the Rays having many possible routes to go to fill out a staff of pitchers, it can almost be guaranteed that the Rays somehow find a way to achieve success defensively against the Yankees.