Series Preview: Series 5 vs. Rays

Photo Via: Kathy Willen — Associated Press

---

Each team has only played one series since their last encounter, but the Rays and Yankees are back at it again. There might be fireworks in the Bronx this time. Aaron Judge says “tensions are high” when the two teams play each other. Austin Meadows pointed towards the pattern he sees, “It happens almost every series with them.” Odds are there will be some Yankees hitters brushed off the plate, or even beaned, after the Yankees plunked 4 Rays last weekend (the Yankees had 2 HBP of their own, but each grazed the jersey/shin guard of the batters). The Yankees have sleepwalked through the first four series of the season, so maybe a little fire can help the team build up some drive.

Game 1

Friday, April 16 — 7:05 pm — YES Network, MLB Network

Probable Pitchers: Nick Nelson - RHP (NYY) vs. Michael Wacha - RHP (TB)

Game Notes: The Yankees recalled RHP Mike King prior to Friday night’s game. Manager Aaron Boone says that King will serve in the bulk role, following Nick Nelson as an opener. Nelson was knocked around in his last appearance, a relief outing against the Rays. Mike King’s one outing on the season was a 6-shutout-innings relief appearance in the club’s first series against the Blue Jays.

Game 2

Saturday, April 17 — 1:05 pm — YES Network, MLB Network

Probable Pitchers: Jordan Montgomery - LHP (NYY) vs. Tyler Glasnow - RHP (TB)

Game Notes: Tyler Glasnow has been virtually un-hittable so far this season. He will enter the game with an astounding 0.46 ERA, 29 stikeouts, and ERA+ of 856 through 3 starts. Given how the Yankees’ offense has played thus far, a shutout is not out of the realm of possibility. The Giancarlo Stanton-Tyler Glasnow matchup will be intriguing, considering the mammoth home run Stanton had off Glasnow in the Postseason.

Jordan Montgomery pitched against the Rays his last time out on the field and he let up 4 runs. Mike Zunino and Randy Arozarena smashed homers for Tampa Bay. Montgomery pitched 6 shutout innings in his first start of the season, which was at home against Baltimore.

Game 3

Sunday, April 18 — 1:05 pm — WPIX

Probable Pitchers: Gerrit Cole - RHP (NYY) vs. Ryan Yarbrough (not official) - LHP (TB)

Game Notes: Gerrit Cole will take the ball for a Sunday afternoon game in Yankee Stadium. When Cole has taken the ball this season, the Yankees have been put in a great position to win. Cole has a 1.47 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 18.1 innings over 3 starts this season.

Yarbrough, on the other hand, has been knocked around plenty recently. Yarbrough leads the majors with 23 hits allowed this season. He is 0-2 with a 6.48 ERA in 3 starts. The Yankees will be able to match up a string of right-handed hitters against him should the Rays elect to give him the ball.

The Rays could opt to recall Brent Honeywell Jr. and give him another start. The rookie threw 2 perfect innings against the Bombers last weekend in St. Petersburg — which was his MLB debut.

Trevor Richards is another option for the Rays to start the final game of the weekend set. He last pitched on Tuesday when he threw 49 pitches.

Injury Report

Gleyber Torres (jammed finger) had tests done, which were all negative. He played the final game of the series against the Blue Jays and is presumably good to go.

Luke Voit (torn meniscus), Miguel Andújar (carpal tunnel syndrome), Zack Britton (arthroscopic elbow surgery), Clarke Schmidt (elbow strain), and Luis Severino (Tommy John surgery) are all out for the series.

For the Rays, centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier is still shelved with a strained quad, but he is said to be recovering extremely well and may return from the injured list during this series.

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), Pete Fairbanks (rotator cuff), Yonny Chirinos (Tommy John surgery), Jalen Beeks (Tommy John surgery), Colin Poche (Tommy John surgery), Oliver Drake (strained flexor), Chris Archer (forearm tightness), and Chaz Roe (strained shoulder) will all remain on the injured list for the series.