The New York Yankees’ bats were silent last night at Petco Park, except for Giancarlo Stanton’s, in their 7-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of their Divisional Series matchup, but that won’t last. The Yankees lineup, 1 through 9, is lethal and the Rays are expected to turn to Charlie Morton to keep them in check. Morton has not had a stellar season, at 2-2, with a 4.74 ERA, and he has not pitched in 11 days so could his rhythm be off tonight? Absolutely. Masahiro Tanaka is expected to get the nod for the Yanks. He was roughed up in his last turn against Cleveland but has been lights out in his career against the Rays, with a record of 11-5 and a 3.31 ERA. Tampa owned New York this year in the regular season but let’s not forget the Bombers were missing their heavy hitters for most of those matchups.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES