Series Preview: Rays vs Yankees
Eigtheen games down, one-hundred fourty-four to go
It what is tied for the longest homestand in Tampa Bay Rays history, the team has put up disapointing results having lost two of their three series thus far and now they’ll face their toughest test of the season as the New York Yankees come to town for a four-game set.
The Yankees enter play on Thursday with a record of 11-7, possessing a half game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays for control of the division; the Rays are 8-10, in 4th place and three games back of the division lead.
The Yankees have been led by Aaron Judge once again this year as the 32-year old outfielder and future Hall of Famer is off to one of the best starts of his career. He is currently hitting .409/.519/.803 with 7 HR over 81 PA; registering 1.9 fWAR in just 18 games. Trent Grisham, Ben Rice, and Paul Goldschmidt have performed well offensively as well. Meanwhile, the Yankees record-breaking free agent signee Max Fried has been excellent over his four starts; Fried will start the final game of the series on Sunday.
Frivolities
The top players by career WAR to have played for the Rays and YankeesW:
- Wade Boggs
- Johnny Damon
- Dwight Gooden
- Tino Martinez
- Jose Canseco
The Rays best player offensively against the Yankees all-time (min. 25 PA):
Eduardo Perez: .286/.483/.905 with 4 HR over 29 PA
GAME ONE
Thursday, April 17th
7:05 PM EDT
RHP Taj Bradley vs RHP Will Warren
GAME TWO
Friday, April 18th
7:05 PM EDT
RHP Drew Rasmussen vs LHP Carlos Rodon
GAME THREE
Saturday, April 19th
4:10 PM EDT
RHP Shane Baz vs RHP Carlos Carrasco
GAME FOUR
Sunday, April 20th
1:40 PM EDT
RHP Ryan Pepiot vs LHP Max Fried