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Preview: Yankees vs Rays (7/26/13)

The Yankees are back home for a weekend series against the red hot Rays. CC Sabathia (9-8, 4.37 ERA) looks to rebound against Jeremy Hellickson (9-3, 4.62 ERA) after a disappointing 33rd birthday loss at Fenway. Sabathia thought he figured something out over the All Star break, but turns out he was wrong as Boston abused him for seven runs and nine hits in five innings on July 21. He’s 1-2 with a staggering 7.29 ERA vs. Tampa Bay this year. CC will be making his 22nd start of the season, but he’ll be hoping for a reversal of fortune. The one time ace has not won since July 3,

Despite feeling sick Saturday, Hellickson held the Blue Jays to two runs on five hits to pick up his ninth win. He is 3-1 with a 3.19 ERA in seven career appearances vs. the Yanks, and is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in three career appearances at Yankee Stadium.

New York’s lineup may take on a different look by the time Tampa Bay arrives, as outfielder Alfonso Soriano flew redeye from Chicago to New York late Thursday night and could be in the lineup Friday. Soriano began his career with the Yankees and was selected to two All Star teams before being traded to Texas for Alex Rodriguez in 2004.

The Yankees may have a familiar face back in the lineup in Soriano, but based on what general manager Brian Cashman has said, fans should not expect to see Alex Rodriguez back in pinstripes until August. “We’re certainly trying to get there as fast as we possibly can, but we need a healthy player to do so.” He was initially aiming to return for the start of this series but then, Arod happened. I wont go into the merry go round of finger pointing and reports that happened the past 2 days, since we all know what happened.

 

Notes on the game.

This three game series is the Yankees’ first in the Bronx since the All Star break. They will not return to Yankee Stadium until facing the Tigers on Aug. 9.

The Rays have not won a series at Yankee Stadium since May 20, 2010.

Sabathia is 11-11 with a 3.57 ERA in 32 career starts against Tampa Bay.

Yanks are 6.5 games out of first, 6 games out from second and 2.5 games out from third.

 

Game kicks off at 7:05 PM (EST) on My9