The first-place Yankees (60-38) begin a nine-game homestand at Tampa Bay, where they will meet the Rays (54-45), who stand 6.5 games out of first.
Head-to-Head:
The two teams have split their four previous meetings this season. They will meet again four times in August, and then play the last series of the season in September.
Pitching Matchups:
| Date: | Yankees starters: | Rays starters |
| 7:08 p.m., Mon. | A.J. Burnett (9-4, 3.74) | James Shields (6-6, 3.70) |
| 7:08 p.m., Tues. | CC Sabathia (10-6, 3.67) | Scott Kazmir (4-6, 6.69) |
| 8:11 p.m., Wed. | J. Chamberlain (6-2, 3.86) | Matt Garza (7-7, 3.68) |
My Outlook:
Both teams have their best pitchers lined up for this series, and each matchup is intriguing. The only reason I give the edge to the Yankees is because they are playing better baseball as of late.
