Smyly, Rays could push Yanks into 2017 mode
After a stretch that saw them claim eight of 10 games, the Yankees have dropped two in a row. Can Joe Girardi’s crew recover in time for today’s showdown vs. the Rays?
Handicappers express … reservations. Online sports book Bovada.lv lists New York as a +105 underdog for the 6:10 p.m. ET affair. Conversely, Tampa Bay receives odds of -125 to prevail. The over/under run total sits at eight.
With the non-waiver trade deadline looming, this weekend’s results could determine how the Yanks approach the remainder of the campaign. Beyond Carlos Beltran (.305/.346/.544), few batters seem as if they’re anxious to make a playoff push. Last night, for example, featured a six-hit attack against Jake Odorizzi. Only center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury managed to cross home plate.
The Bronx Bombers’ pitching must reverse course, too. In the series opener, Ivan Nova surrendered a pair of homers right away. Nathan Eovaldi (9-6, 4.80 ERA) will be tasked with doing a superior job of keeping the ball down in several hours. Most recently, the lefty limited San Francisco to two runs in 6 2/3 innings of work.
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On the heels of Odorizzi’s impressive outing, Drew Smyly (2-11, 5.42) takes the mound for Kevin Cash’s club. He’ll try to deliver Tampa Bay its 10th straight quality start. Since the All-Star break, the Rays have permitted more than four runs just once in 13 contests.
Something tells us that the Yankees won’t go quietly at Tropicana Field. The hosts, however, are likely to respond in kind. Look for a shootout in the Sunshine State.
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