Chris Archer (3-5, 5.16 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays (21-24) meet Masahiro Tanaka (2-0, 3.24 ERA) and the New York Yankees (22-24) in the first of a three-game division series at Tropicana Field. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 27 and will air on WPIX and SUN.
In his last start, Archer pitched 3.0 innings, allowing six runs, striking out four and walking one in a 9-4 loss to the Tigers. Brandon Guyer (.315, 20 Rs, 6 HRs, 14 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Yankees were victorious the last time Tanaka pitched. He pitched well, going 7.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out four and walking two in a 5-1 victory over the Athletics. Jacoby Ellsbury (.277, 19 Rs, 2 HRs, 15 RBIs, 9 SBs) went 1 for 1 yesterday.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. The Rays have a SU record of 7-11 against teams in their division. Over their past 10 games, Tampa Bay’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 0.0 runs per game, well over their season average of 0.0. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, ranking third in the AL with an average of only 9.4 strikeouts per game. Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average. The Rays are fourth in the AL in hits allowed at home with just 7.7 per game.
Against fellow AL East members, the Yankees are 11-10 SU. New York has been playing better lately, averaging 0.0 runs per game, more than their season average of 0.0. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the New York pitchers. They’ve allowed 0.0 runs per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 0.0. They also allow just 2.4 walks per game, second-best in the AL.
In their previous three games this season, the Yankees have a 2-1 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB
Notes
When leading after seven innings, New York is 13-11, while Tampa Bay is 9-9.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Yankees are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Rays have a 7-1 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 15-4. The Yankees have a 17-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Tampa Bay and New York both rank near the bottom of the league in runs. Tampa Bay sits at 21st with 188 runs this season and New York ranks 24th with 179.
Tampa Bay and New York both rank in the bottom half of the league in walks. Tampa Bay sits at 19th with 138 this season and New York ranks 16th with 142.
When the Rays hit at least one home run, they are 18-18. When the Yankees hit at least one homer, they have a 16-14 record.
