Update: Today's game between the Rays and Yankees has been postponed. What originally began as a two-game series in late September will likely be a four-game series now. July 8 makeup date is September 22. I'd imagine that September 21 (originally scheduled 1:05 game) or September 22 (originally an off day) will be the dates for a doubleheader.
In the rubber game of this three game set, the New York Yankees look to push the Tampa Bay Rays back a game further in the chase for the American League Wild Card with a win.
Current Series
3 game series vs Rays @ Yankee Stadium
| Fri 08/12 |
WP: David Price (10 - 10) LP: CC Sabathia (16 - 7) |
1 - 5 loss |
| Sat 08/13 |
WP: Phil Hughes (3 - 4) LP: Jeremy Hellickson (10 - 8) |
9 - 2 win |
|
Tampa Bay Rays Sunday, Aug 14, 2011, 1:05 PM EDT James Shields vs A.J. Burnett Cloudy. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 75. Complete Coverage > |
||
A.J. Burnett will take the mound this afternoon for New York after Freddy Garcia was scratched due to a cut on his throwing hand that affects his ability to throw his split-finger fastball. Burnett is coming off a mediocre start against the Angels, lasting six innings and allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six. While Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman have backed Burnett and implied that he'll be in the rotation, it'd help if he could deliver a start similar to that of Phil Hughes on Saturday. While Hughes didn't have his best stuff, he most definitely did his job well enough.
For the Rays, James Shields take the mound. He's been absolutely fantastic in his last two starts against the Yankees, combining for 15.2 innings, allowing one earned run on ten hits while walking four and striking out 11. He lost on July 10 when CC Sabathia tossed a complete game shutout (and Shields' throwing error to third allowed Robinson Cano to score) and got the win on July 21 by the score of 2-1. Shields is coming off a complete game shutout against the Kansas City Royals and has completed nine of his 24 games this year.
Burnett's going to need his Dr. Jekyll-stuff today.
James Shields vs. current Yankees
Game starts at 1:05 PM.
Here's a weather report for the Bronx. Doesn't look very promising. Brandon C will be around for updates as needed.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone.