Andy Pettitte (5-4, 3.95 ERA) squares off against Matt Moore (8-3, 4.12 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays in the first game of four. Pettitte will look to get back on track against the Rays after allowing four runs and a season high 11 hits against the Angels Friday. Since coming off the DL he has been inconsistent, allowing nine runs in 19 innings.
If Pettitte can hand the ball over to the bullpen with a lead, the Yankees will have a good chance to win. They’ve gone 33-1 this season when leading after seven innings. “It’s been a combination that’s been really, really good for a while here, and you do feel fortunate when you have guys that lock down games,” Girardi said of the combo of David Robertson and Mariano Rivera. “We talk about it all the time, that those are the tougher ones to recover from, when you have the lead and you let the lead slip away late. These guys have been really good.”
Rivera offered high praise for Robertson’s ability to work out of trouble. “Robbie has done a tremendous job,” Rivera said. “Sometimes he gets himself in little jams, and he gets them out. That’s how you do it. You don’t think about what I’ve got in front or what I’ve got behind me. It’s time for you to do the job. You’ve got to find a way to get it done.”
Moore’s ERA has risen in his last three starts from 2.18 to 4.12, allowing 19 earned runs over 13 1/3 innings. In eight career innings at Yankee Stadium, he has allowed five earned runs. “Every year I’ve ever played, I’ve had ups and downs,” said Moore, who has now lost three straight starts after starting the season 8-0. “We’ve prepared, and I feel good about this one, as far as preparation of where I was last week. I like the way I feel.”
Notes on the game.
The Yankees are 5-0 in games following a shut out.
In 23 games against lefties this season, the Yankees are 15-8.
In 21 career at bats against Pettitte, Evan Longoria has just two hits, one for a homer. Ben Zobrist is 9-22 against him.
The Rays are just 7-51 (.137) with runners in scoring position over their last eight games.
Game kicks off at 7:05 PM (EST) on Yes
