The Tampa Bay Rays (27-7) face a tough test against Gerrit Cole at Tropicana Field on Sunday when the impressive right-hander takes the mound for the New York Yankees (18-16) with the three-game series tied at 1-1.
The Yankees evened the series 1-1 after winning 3-2 on Saturday. Reliever Ron Marinaccio was credited with the win after throwing 1.1 scoreless innings, and Ian Hamilton picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth. Harrison Bader was 2 for 2 with two RBIs in the win. Yandy Diaz went 1 for 2 with one run for the Rays.
ON THE MOUND
Cole (5-0, 1.35 ERA) is in line to take the mound for New York. The RHP ranks second in the AL in ERA, tied for second in wins, and fourth in strikeouts (52). Cole allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 4-2 home win over the Guardians on Tuesday.
He gave up five hits while striking out eight and walking three in the no-decision. Cole is making his first appearance against the Rays this season. Over four starts against the Rays in 2022, Cole was 1-1 with a 1.07 ERA over 25.1 innings. He had 35 strikeouts and nine walks.
Righty Javy Guerra (0-0, 8.00 ERA) takes the mound for Tampa Bay. His only prior appearance against the Yankees this season was his last outing, when Guerra held opposing hitters scoreless over one inning in a 3-2 home defeat on Saturday. He struck out one and walked one in the no-decision.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, New York has averaged 3.4 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 3.9. Against right-handed pitchers like Guerra this season, the Yanks have a .682 OPS.
Aaron Judge is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .997 OPS in 73 at-bats. Tampa Bay is averaging only 4.4 runs per game in the last five, down from 6.4 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.247/.323/.493).
The Rays have an .858 OPS against right-handers in 2023, highest in the league. With a 1.141 OPS over 85 at-bats, Diaz has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 7-8 away from Yankee Stadium in 2023, scoring 4.1 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Tampa Bay has gone 18-3 at their home park this season, averaging 5.9 runs per game while surrendering 2.4. In the last 10 games between the AL East rivals at Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 3.7-2.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rays lead the AL East by four games over the Orioles. The Yankees are fifth in the AL East, 10 games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
NY Yankees (-115)
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