In the last series before the All-Star break, the Yankees face division foe Tampa Bay in a four-game series at Yankee Stadium.
The Rays are 5-5 in their last 10 and the Yankees are coming off their first series loss since the Red Sox swept them nearly a month ago.
On the Hill:
Thursday: Jeff Niemann (3-4, 5.05) vs. Bartolo Colon (6-3, 2.88)
Friday: Jeremy Hellickson (8-7, 3.21) vs. Freddy Garcia (7-6, 3.13)
Saturday: David Price (8-7, 3.56) vs. A.J. Burnett (8-7, 4.12)
Sunday: James Shields (8-6, 2.47) vs. CC Sabathia (12-4, 2.90)
Players to Watch
Casey Kotchman: He’s been the hottest Ray over the last month, hitting .350 with 13 RBIs. In July, he already has three multi-hit games.
Derek Jeter: 3,000. Need I say more?
Prediction:
The Yankees will take three out of four, and Jeter will reach 3,000 on Sunday off James Shields in the third inning by bouncing a low-and-away curveball up the middle for a single.
