Yankees Series Preview: Series 3 vs. Rays
Photo Via: Sean M. Haffey — Getty Images
The Yankees will make their first road trip of the regular season, but to a town the team is very familiar. After spending spring training at the team facility in Tampa, the club now heads to St. Petersburg to face the Tampa Bay Rays for a three game set. It is the first time the teams have squared off against each other since the infamous Mike Brosseau home run that gave the Rays the lead against Aroldis Chapman and the Yankees in the final game of last year’s ALDS.
The Rays look a little different this time around. Starting pitcher Charlie Morton went to the Braves in free agency after having his club option declined. Popular ace Blake Snell was dealt to the Padres for a prospect package return. Tyler Glasnow has looked nearly unhittable so far this season, but he is not scheduled to pitch in the series.
Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole will not pitch in the series either, nor will Jameson Taillon. However, Corey Kluber will toe the slab in the first game.
Game 1
Friday, April 9 — 3:10 pm — YES Network
Probable Pitchers: Corey Kluber (NYY) vs. Rich Hill (TB)
Game Notes: Corey Kluber makes his second start with the Yankees. After a bumpy yet gutsy first performance, Kluber looks to fine-tune his game with an efficient outing against the division rivals. His pitch count will likely be capped between 80 and 85 pitches after a 74-pitch start last week. If he is dealing, the Yankees may test him out just above the 90-pitch mark.
On the other hand, the Rays will unveil their divisional and American League champion banners prior to the game. The Yankees will hopefully help themselves to achieving those goals this season by taking this series.
Aaron Judge is not in the lineup for Game 1 — more details to follow.
Game 2
Saturday, April 10 — 1:10 pm — YES Network, MLB Network
Probable Pitchers: Domingo Germán (NYY) vs. Chris Archer (TB)
Game Notes: Germán struggled with control in his first start of the season. Over a span of 68 pitches, the right-hander allowed three runs. He left pitches over the middle of the plate and shook off pitch calls by Sánchez, ultimately leading to two home runs for Toronto.
Chris Archer struggled in his first reappearance with the Rays. He allowed four runs (three earned) against the Marlins. Archer only pitched two innings and he reached a 52-pitch count.
Game 3
Sunday, April 11 — 1:10 pm — YES Network, MLB Network
Probable Pitchers: Jordan Montgomery (NYY) vs. Michael Wacha/Bullpen (TB)
Game Notes: Jordan Montgomery will take the ball coming off one of his best career starts where he threw six shutout innings against Baltimore. Montgomery likes to induce weak contact and nibble the edges of the strike zone. The Rays have the ability to deploy a righty-heavy lineup against him, but it was no struggle for Montgomery last start when Baltimore did the same.
As for Tampa Bay, there has not yet been a starter announced for Sunday’s matchup. Manager Kevin Cash did say he expects Wacha to be used as either a starter or bulk pitcher, so the Yankees should be prepared to see him. Wacha allowed four runs in five innings in his first appearance for Tampa Bay.
Injury Report
NYY: All concerns from Yankees fans right now are in regards to Aaron Judge. Number 99 was left out of the series finale’s lineup against Baltimore, even with an off-day scheduled the very next day. Manager Aaron Boone referred to “general soreness on his side” for the reason that Judge needed the day off. Judge was also removed in the eighth inning of the first game against Baltimore, and Boone said he wanted to get Judge off his feet (although the game was a blowout at that point). He was also left out of the lineup for the first game of this series, but Boone says the injury is still just “general soreness” at this point.
Justin Wilson was activated from the 10-day injured list this morning. He recovered from shoulder inflammation and is ready to pitch.
The recently acquired Rougned Odor is still completing COVID-19 intake and is not available for the start of the series.
Luke Voit (knee surgery for torn meniscus), Zack Britton (arthroscopic elbow surgery), Luis Severino (Tommy John surgery), Clarke Schmidt (strained elbow), and Miguel Andújar (carpal tunnel syndrome) are all on the injured list and will not return for this series.
TB: Pete Fairbanks was placed on the 10-day injured list this morning with a rotator cuff injury. He is expected to miss about a month of the season.
Brett Phillips was activated from the injured list today. He recovered from a pulled hamstring and says he is ready to go.
Kevin Kiermaier is out with a strained quad. He is not eligible to return for this series, as he was placed on the 10-day injured list just three days ago.
Ji-man Choi had arthroscopic knee surgery and is on the injured list. He will not return for this series.
Nick Anderson (partially torn elbow liagment), Yonny Chirinos (Tommy John surgery), Jalen Beeks (Tommy John surgery), Colin Poche (Tommy John surgery), Oliver Drake (strained flexor), and Chaz Roe (strained shoulder) will all remain on the injured list for the series.