The one-game series with the Mets is over and now the Yankees welcome the Rays to the Bronx for a three-game set. Homefield advantage has been very real for these two the last few years. The Yankees can’t win in Tropicana Field and the Rays can’t win at Yankee Stadium. Since Opening Day 2016:
- Rays at Yankee Stadium: 6-20 with zero series wins
- Yankees at Tropicana Field: 9-15 with three (!?) series wins
Somehow the Yankees have had more success at Tropicana Field the last three seasons than the Rays have had at Yankee Stadium. Who knew? The Yankees are 5-1 and have outscored the Rays 32-13 at home this year. And it means nothing for this series. Doesn’t mean it’ll be a cakewalk. Still gotta go out and win. Here are tonight’s lineups:
New York Yankees
1. LF Brett Gardner
2. DH Giancarlo Stanton
3. CF Aaron Hicks
4. SS Didi Gregorius
5. 3B Miguel Andujar
6. 1B Greg Bird
7. 2B Gleyber Torres
8. RF Neil Walker
9. C Austin Romine
LHP J.A. Happ
Tampa Bay Rays
1. LF Mallex Smith
2. 3B Matt Duffy
3. 1B Jake Bauers
4. DH C.J. Cron
5. 2B Joey Wendle
6. RF Carlos Gomez
7. CF Kevin Kiermaier
8. SS Willy Adames
9. C Jesus Sucre
RHP Hunter Wood
There is some rain in the forecast this evening but it should clear out before first pitch. Tonight’s series opener is scheduled to begin at 7:05pm ET and YES will have the broadcast. Enjoy the game.
Injury Updates: Gary Sanchez (groin) is with the Yankees in New York. He’s hitting and going through catching drills and all that. He has not yet been cleared to run at 100%, however. Gary will return to Tampa at the end of the homestand and could begin a minor league rehab assignment sometime late next week … CC Sabathia had his knee drained and received another lubrication injection. He’s going to play catch tomorrow and expects to return once his ten days on the disabled list are up.
Rotation Update: Luis Cessa is starting tomorrow. That gives the other starters an extra day and also keeps him lined up to start one of the doubleheader games in Baltimore next Saturday. Cessa has not yet been added to the roster. That’ll happen tomorrow. I imagine George Kontos (or A.J. Cole?) will get the heave-ho. Aaron Boone said Sonny Gray wasn’t much of a consideration to start in Sabathia’s place, which tells you how far out of the picture he is right now.
Update (6:54pm ET): The game will begin in a delay due to lingering showers in the area. First pitch is scheduled for 7:25pm ET, the Yankees say.
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