Before heading back to the Big Apple to once again face the Red Sox (Wednesday night), the New York Yankees (7-7) will try to sweep this two game set against the new-look/much-improved Tampa Bay Rays (6-7). Tonight’s action starts at 7:10 PM EDT from St. Petersburg, FL. Sportbetting.com has NYY a –122 favorite at Tampa Bay Rays (+112) with the O/U at 9 runs total.
The Yanks survived what became a slugfest last night under the Tropicana Field roof. For the first time all season the Bombers enjoyed warmer climate, making it ideal for players to perform, and it showed. Johnny Damon (went 2-5 with 3 RBI) kicked it off with a blast (to right) on only the second pitch of the game putting NY ahead (1-0). But Damon wasn’t the only one feeling good last night. Especially (NYC born and Miami, FL raised) Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez who went 4-5, and keeps climbing the record books at a rapid pace.
Before fans could even settle into their seats, AROD blasted his third HR (of the season) to straight away left. But moreso than just his third ABOMB, this mammoth shot was a historic one indeed. Now with 521 Home Runs, the young MVP third baseman ties Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Willie Mc Covey in baseball’s all-time HR list.
Yankees went on to win the game 8-7 on a pinch-hit HR in the 8th by Dominican-born Robinson Cano (making Girardi look like a genius). Both teams combined for 26 hits including 7 Homers (Yanks 4, Tampa 3).
Tonight we have an excellent pitching match-up. NY will send dependable workhorse LHP Andy Pettitte to the mound. Pettitte (in 2 games pitched) is 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA and just 4 punch-outs. His counterpart Tuesday evening is a rising star for the Rays, RHP Edwin Jackson. Jackson comes in with an impressive 2-0 record (already with a win against NYY), and an astonishing 0.64 ERA along with 10 strikeouts.
Side note: Set up reliever Joba Chamberlain will miss another 3 games for NY. Joba has been given a leave of absence by the organization to be with his ailing father in Lincoln, Neb… our thought and prayers are certainly with them.
