The New York Yankees opened a 4-game set last night at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays, using the Rays’ tactic of starting relievers and it worked, resulting in a 4-1 Yankee victory. Tonight they will abandoned that and give the nod to their ace, Louis Severino. Severino, who is 18-8 with an ERA of 3.38 and a 1.14 WHIP, was spectacular in his last turn, allowing just one run in a 10-1 beating of the Boston Red Sox. Tampa’s first pitcher will be Jake Faria, who is 4-3 on the season, with a 5.17 ERA, a 1.40 WHIP, and the Rays are 2-5 in his last 7 home starts. Severino is 7-2 in his career against the Rays with a 3.06 ERA and the Yanks are 20-8 in his last 28 starts against the AL East. The Yankees are just 1-1/2 games up on the Athletics for the top Wild Card spot. They will have to take care of business in Tampa because it won’t be easy down the stretch when they finish the season against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES