The Yankees own an all-time record of 71-58 at Tropicana Field. However, they’ve experienced some trouble at the place the Rays call home in recent memory, according to ESPN Stats and Info. More specifically, ace CC Sabathia has struggled against the Rays and most notably at the Trop.
The Yankees are 6-12 in Sabathia’s last 18 starts against the Rays, and just 1-7 in his last eight at Tropicana Field since 2009. Overall, New York went 2-7 there in 2012, and are 9-18 over the past three seasons. This includes a season-opening three-game sweep last year. On that Opening Day, Sabathia went six innings, giving up five runs on eight hits, one of which was a grand slam to Carlos Pena.
Sabathia’s last regular season start at the Rays came last season on September 3 where he went seven innings giving up eight hits, three runs in a 4-3 Yankees loss. Tonight, he will face 23 year old lefty Matt Moore, who so far in ’13 is 3-0 with a sparkling 1.00 ERA.
The Yankees will have their work cut out for them this series when they try to reverse their losing trend at the Rays. David Price and Phil Hughes will go at it tomorrow – Alex Cobb and Andy Pettitte in the series finale on Wednesday.
