The NY Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays are starting a three-game series in the AL East on Monday and the matchup from Tropicana Field starts at 7:10 pm ET ad has New York looking to keep things going in the top of the division and the pitching duel has CC Sabathia going up against Alex Colome and CC is looking for his first win of the season.
The Yankees have won three of the past four games and they are currently in first place in the division. The team has played above expectations this season and they are looking to get the series started with a win. The team lost the series against the Blue Jays, but they have been winning series and took three of four against the Orioles and now they have the chance to come in and win more divisional matchups.
The Yankees got a massive start from Michael Pineda on Sunday and he has been the best pitcher for the team so far this season. Pineda has been the key to keeping the rotation strong, as Masahiro Tanaka was placed on the DL and he came in as the number one starter. Pineda struck out 16 batters and had a fantastic performance while going 5-0 on the season and now he will push ahead as the most consistent starter this season for the Yankees.
The Yanks have a three game lead over the Rays and they can push that even more with some wins in this series. The team has 20 wins already this season and the team has continued to play above expectations and Alex Rodriguez has done the same, as he has been hitting the ball well and is moving up the all-time HR list. The Yankees were not given much of a chance coming into the season, but they have been one of the more impressive teams in the AL and they have shown that they can handle things in the division.
Sabathia has not pitched great overall this season, but he has been better over the last couple starts, but it has not resulted in wins. CC is 0-5 on the season with a 5.00 plus ERA and he is looking to get things trending in the right direction if he can get a win on Monday. CC is the key for the rotation, as Pineda has been strong and Tanaka has been out and the Yankees could use some consistency from him.
The bullpen has pitched very well, but they can't get taxed, as they will be needed for the Yankees to make any type of playoff run this season. The Yankees are leading the division over the Rays and now they get to play the team directly behind them in the standings for a series.
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