Preview: Yankees vs Rays (6/30/14)

The AL East gauntlet continues with David Phelps (3-4, 4.35 ERA) taking on Chris Archer (4-5, 3.29 ERA) and the last place Rays. Phelps was coming off back to back wins when he took on the Blue Jays his last time out. He would not get his third in a row as he was tagged for eight hits and six runs in five innings, although he did have seven strikeouts and took a no decision.

Archer allowed five runs, four earned, while striking out seven Pirates in seven innings taking his fifth loss of the season. Before that game he had allowed just four earned runs in 40 2/3 innings over his previous seven starts for a MLB best 0.89 ERA. He is 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA in two career starts at Yankee Stadium

Archer has won his first four career starts against the Yanks. The last pitcher to win his first five against New York was Walter Johnson. In Archer's last start at the Stadium in July 2013, he threw a two hit shutout and in less than 100 pitches. "Since that point, I know what I'm capable of and I'm striving to do that every night out," Archer said. "That's the standard for me."

Notes on the game

Rays pitchers have 278 strikeouts in June, eight shy of the Major League record of 286 set by the Cubs in August of 2002.

CC Sabathia said he "couldn't be happier with the way I felt physically" after his first rehab start on Saturday.

First pitch at 7:05 pm on Yes & ESPN