Alex Colome (2-0, 1.80 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays (17-15) go up against CC Sabathia (0-5, 5.45 ERA) and the New York Yankees (20-12) in the first of a four-game division series at Tropicana Field. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 11 and will air on YES and SunSports.
In his last start, Colome pitched 5.0 innings, giving up two runs and striking out four in a 5-3 victory over the Red Sox. Brandon Guyer (.294, 10 Rs, 2 HRs, 11 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one RBI. In his pitching opportunities against the Rays, Sabathia is 12-14 with a 3.83 ERA. He gets a less-than-stellar Tampa Bay offense that’s batting just .235. Brett Gardner (.313, 22 Rs, 2 HRs, 13 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one stolen base.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. Against teams in the AL East, the Rays have an SU record of 13-12. Within their division, Tampa Bay’s offense has been struggling. Tampa Bay has only averaged 3.3 runs per game compared to its 3.9 season average. Turning to the pitching and defensive side, teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Rays, who allow an AL-low 3.5 runs per game. The Rays are third in the league in WHIP at 1.13.
Against teams in their division, the Yankees are 14-10 SU. New York is one of the top home-run-hitting teams in the league with 38 home runs. The Yankees are a problem for opposing batters, sporting an AL-low 3.34 ERA this season. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in the AL with an average of 8.6 strikeouts per game.
The Yankees have gotten the best of the Rays in head-to-head matchups this season, going 5-1. This game will feature Sabathia (LHP) on the mound against the Rays, who have a 4-4 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The right-handed Colome will take the mound against the Yankees. Against righty starters this season, they’ve racked up an impressive 14-7 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYY, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rays are 1-1 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Yankees are 0-2 in such matchups.
After a weak showing last week where they got in eight hits, the Yankees need to step it up. The Rays have a record of 17-8 when opponents get eight hits or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 14-2. The Yankees have a 12-0 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 20th in runs, Tampa Bay has earned 121 this season. New York ranks sixth with 149 runs.
Ranking sixth, Tampa Bay is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 107 this season. New York ranks in the top five at second with 116.
When the Rays hit at least one home run, they are 11-8. When the Yankees hit at least one homer, they have a 16-8 record.
