Yankees vs. Rays: Luis Severino vs. Ryne Stanek

The Yankees head into Saturday’s action with a 45-20 record and boast a MLB-leading .692 winning percentage. They hold a three-game loss-column lead over the Red Sox in the AL East race.

This marks only the ninth time in franchise history that the Bombers have won 45 games before suffering 21 defeats. The club previously accomplished the feat from 1926 through 1928, and in 1932, 1939, 1942, 1953, and 1998. So the Yankees are off to their best start ever — excepting a handful of seasons which featured Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, and the Core Four. What an incredible accomplishment by the current squad! Incidentally, the Yankees won the World Series each of those years, except for 1926 and 1942, when they lost the Fall Classic to the Cardinals.

Two rookies notched their first career victories to open New York’s four-game set against Tampa Bay. Today, the Yankees look to clinch the series win behind their ace, as Luis Severino (9-2, 2.27 ERA) faces off against Ryne Stanek (1-1, 2.76 ERA).

Pitching matchup

In his last start on Sunday against the Mets, Severino threw 93 pitches over five innings to suffer his second loss of the 2018 campaign. He allowed two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out seven. Prior to that, Severino won seven straight decisions.

The Bombers are 12-2 this season in games started by Severino. The 24-year-old has produced 11 quality starts, while giving up three runs or fewer in 13 of his 14 outings. The right-hander allowed two runs or fewer 11 times this year.

Severino beat the Rays on April 4th at Yankee Stadium. He permitted two runs on five hits over 7.1 innings. He walked one, struck out seven, and threw 92 pitches to improve his record to a perfect 2-0. This afternoon, Sevy seeks to join defending Cy Young Award winners Corey Kluber and Max Scherzer as MLB’s only 10-game winners.

Ryne Stanek is a reliever who has opened four games for the Rays this year. The right-hander’s longest such outing was on June 12th, when he pitched two innings. All totaled as an opener, the 26-year-old has allowed two runs on two hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out eight of the 23 batters he faced.

Lineups

How to watch

Location: Yankee Stadium

First pitch: 1:05 PM EDT

TV channel: YES

Online streaming: MLB.tv (out-of-market only)

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (full listings)

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