CC Sabathia Set For The Opener As New York Takes On Tampa Bay
The 37 -year old veteran left-hander CC Sabathia will open up a three game series for New York as they visit Tampa Bay Monday. The only difference in this series though will be New York will not have to travel far because the game will not be played at Tropicana Field because of hurricane Irma. Instead the series will be played at Citi Field which is the home of the other New York team the New York Mets.
Thanks to Major League Baseball's efforts and the Mets' cooperation, the Rays will host the Yankees at Citi Field in a crucial three-game series that begins Monday night. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-rays/2017/09/11/492251#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492251
The game, which was relocated to New York because of concerns about the effects of Hurricane Irma in Florida, also marks the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
Two weeks after the Rays opened their home for the displaced Astros following Hurricane Harvey, Tampa Bay found itself on the other side of the equation when Hurricane Irma cut its path toward Florida. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
"There's a lot of guys in this locker room who could wake up tomorrow and not have a place to live, me included. I make Florida as my home in the offseason," said Jake Odorizzi, who will start for the Rays on Monday. "So a lot of us wake up, and it's mass destruction or whatever it is, it's going to be tough to focus on a baseball game. So I'm more worried about the off-field things than with the circumstances at the game. Whoever shows up, that's fantastic. But I think a lot of people's focus is back home instead of New York." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
Both teams are fighting to get into the postseason, with the Yankees in the driver's seat for the American League's top Wild Card spot and only 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Red Sox in the AL East. The Rays are further back in the pack trying to remain in the hunt, which will likely require Tampa Bay to go on a nice closing run. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
"Look, I'm not comparing us to the Cleveland Indians," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I'm not saying we need to go win 17 in a row [to reach the postseason]. But if we got on a streak, with all the teams that are grouped in here, and went on a good run against the teams we're playing, we're going to find ourselves in an OK spot. We've got to do it." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
In order for that to happen, Cash knows his team is going to need to heat up collectively. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
"We've had a stretch here, probably since the All-Star break, where we have not had enough guys at one time clicking for us," Cash said. "We've had some good performances from certain players. [Logan Morrison] had a really strong performance on the last road trip. Not to say he was the only one, but we need to find some guys who can complement each other a little bit." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
Odorizzi (8-7, 4.58 ERA) will be opposed by CC Sabathia (11-5, 3.91 ERA). Both pitchers are more than familiar with the opposing lineups they'll be facing. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
Odorizzi is 5-6 with a 4.40 ERA in 13 career appearances (12 starts) against the Yankees. Sabathia is 16-14 with a 3.80 ERA in 44 career starts against the Rays. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
Monday's opener represents a homecoming of sorts for Rays first baseman Lucas Duda, who played for the Mets since his debut in 2010 until being traded to Tampa Bay in July. Duda's 71 homers at Citi Field are the most all-time, and he's third in hits (305), RBIs (185) and runs scored (177). "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
Extremely limited parking will be available at Citi Field due to the setup for The Meadows Music & Arts Festival. Fans are encouraged to take mass transit to get to the ballpark. "according to tohttp://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
Fans holding tickets to Rays-Yankees games at Tropicana Field should check RaysBaseball.com/Irma and all social media channels for information on exchanges and refunds. Tickets for the Citi Field games are on sale at Mets.com/Irma, by phone at (718) 507-TIXX or in person at the Citi Field box office. Field Level reserved seating is $25; ticket fees will be waived. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
Odorizzi has struggled in the third inning this season, pitching to a 7.66 ERA after allowing 19 earned runs in 22 1/3 innings. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
Evan Longoria has a .421 average with eight home runs and 17 RBIs in 76 career at-bats against Sabathia. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
Irma is the third hurricane to affect Rays games at Tropicana Field, following Hurricane Gordon (2000) and Hurricane Frances ('04). "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170910253535962/cc-odorizzi-open-yanks-rays-set-at-citi-field/?game_pk=492251
As for New York's last game, they routed Texas in Arlington.
Home runs were the story of the day on Sunday in the finale against Texas for New York in the finale against Texas.
Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez each crushed two home runs and Didi Gregorius had four hits as the Yankees won for the second time in three games against the Rangers with a 16-7 victory Sunday afternoon at Globe Life Park. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
"It was a combination of a lot of hits, a lot of guys getting on base and having good at-bats right from the get-go," Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner said. "It was a lot of fun. This was one of those games that's a lot of fun to be a part of. It was a big series win for us." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
The victory allowed the Yankees to move within 3 1/2 games of the Red Sox in the American League East. The Yanks also now have a 3 1/2- game lead over the Twins in the AL Wild Card race with 20 games left. With the Twins losing on Sunday, the Rangers remained 2 1/2 games behind them for the second AL Wild Card spot. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
Judge hit two home runs for the fourth time this season and first since June 11 against the Red Sox. The 41 home runs are the second most by a rookie in Major League history behind Mark McGwire's 49 in 1987. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
"Yeah, especially when he was in that home-run hunt with Sammy Sosa, chasing him," Judge said of joining McGwire. "It was fun to watch especially as a kid. To be in that same category, it's pretty special." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
The Yankees had 18 hits as Gregorius tied a career high with four. Ten of the hits were for extra bases as Sanchez also hit two home runs in a game for the fourth time this season. He has 30 and set a career high by scoring four runs. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
An outstanding day," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of Gregorius. "We put him in the 4-spot because he's been productive there and it kind of breaks our left-handers up, gives us left-right-left a lot of times. But he's just had an outstanding year." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
Rangers starter A.J. Griffin took the loss, allowing five runs in three-plus innings. Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery also had a short afternoon, getting pulled with one out in the fourth and being charged with three runs. Reliever Chad Green (4-0) picked up the win by allowing just one run in 2 1/3 innings behind Montgomery. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
"Any loss at this point is bad," Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus said. "The main thing at this point is to win series and it didn't happen. But we can't worry about that. We just have to turn the page and get ready for the next series." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
Rangers manager Jeff Banister, with his team trailing 3-1, pulled Griffin in the fourth after Jacoby Ellsbury led off getting hit by a pitch and Austin Romine singled to right. But reliever Nick Martinez couldn't keep it close, as Gardner lined a two-run triple and scored on a single by Chase Headley. A double by Sanchez and a single by Gregorius brought home, Headley. Martinez got Starlin Castro to ground into a double play, but another run scored to make it 8-1. Judge then hit his 40th home run into the Rangers' bullpen and Martinez was pulled for Yohander Mendez. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
Today was a situation where it got away from us quickly," Banister said. "We couldn't stop the bleeding." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
Judge's second home run, coming in the sixth off Mendez, was crushed as it hit off the top of the wall in the back of the visitors' bullpen in left field. It was measured at 463 feet by Statcast™, his third longest of the season and tied for the third longest at Globe Life Park this season. Sanchez's second home run came off Tyson Ross in the eighth and landed high up Greene's Hill in center field. Statcast™ had it at 461 feet, the second longest of his career according to Statcast™. This was the fifth time in three years there have been two 460-plus home runs by a pair of teammates in a game. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
It's incredible what these kids have done, and there's still three weeks to go," Girardi said. "They'll continue to add to those numbers. But these kids are talented. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
haven't gotten it yet. I'm still looking for it, but it's somewhere. Yeah, it'll be nice to get it. It's pretty cool." -- Judge, on receiving the ball from his 107th walk "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
Sanchez is just the third player in history to reach 50 home runs within his first 162 career games (Sunday was game No. 161). McGwire and Rudy York were the first two. Sanchez and York are also the only players to reach 50 home runs and 125 RBIs in their first 162 games. No one else had combined those two benchmarks. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
Rangers catcher A.J. Jimenez singled in the seventh for his first Major League hit." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
Judge walked to lead off the second inning, giving him 107 for the season. According to Elias Sports Bureau, that's a Major League record for rookies. Elias is the official statistician for Major League Baseball, but other sources, including MLB.com, have Ted Williams with 107 walks as a rookie in 1939. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
Due to the uncertain nature of record keeping in the early part of the 20th century, some discrepancies may exist between the stats provided today by different historical data providers. MLB.com makes every effort to maintain accurate data, and in doing so may periodically update specific numbers to match the records maintained by Elias Sports Bureau, the Official Statistician of Major League Baseball. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor sprained his left ankle in a collision with teammate Nomar Mazara as they chased a fly ball by Austin Romine. Odor limped off the field without assistance and underwent X-rays, which were negative. He will undergo further testing. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253537960/yankees-crush-rangers-to-cut-red-sox-east-lead/
With the win, New York improves to 77-65 and is now 3.5 games back of American League East division leading rival Boston who has a record 81-62.
As for Tampa Bay's last game, they beat Boston who New York is chasing in the American League East as Boston and New York holds the first and second place in the division.
The Rays know they need to start piling up wins to make some headway in the logjam that is the American League Wild Card Race and perhaps Sunday's 4-1 victory over the Red Sox to avoid a sweep was the start of something. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
Winning pitcher Alex Cobb set the tone with five-plus strong innings (four hits, one earned run, five strikeouts), and Tampa Bay's offense came through with some timely hits in the mid-innings. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
It was a nice bounce-back for a Rays club that was outscored, 18-3, in the first two games this weekend at Fenway. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
"It is kind of intimidating when you see that they put up 18 runs in the first two games," Cobb said. "You realize we need a stop in the biggest of ways to have a chance to stay in the Wild Card. You look forward to those types of moments to stop it and slow the momentum down." "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
The Rays took care of business on the field, but their hearts were back home with their family, friends, and fans, who were dealing with the effects of Hurricane Irma. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
"We were watching the TV all day in the training room," said Cobb. "You're not thinking about it while you are playing, but every other minute of the day we try to see the best possibilities we could get for our friends and family. It definitely consumes a lot of your time and emotions." "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
The defeat dropped Boston's lead in the AL East to 3 1/2 games after the Yankees beat the Rangers on Sunday. The Rays are 3 1/2 games behind the Twins in the race for the second Wild Card spot, though they have to vault over five other teams before catching Minnesota. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
Red Sox right-hander Rick Porcello (9-17, 4.64 ERA) had a 1-0 lead after four, but the Rays broke through for a pair in the fifth to take the lead for good. Wilson Ramos tied it on a well-placed bloop single down the right-field line, and Evan Longoria laced an RBI single to make it a 2-1 game. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
"Just got into a little bit of a jam in the fifth inning," said Porcello. "The pitch count went up. That's pretty much it." "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
The Rays got solo shots from Ramos and Lucus Duda in the sixth and seventh, respectively, to make it a three-run game. Brandon Workman and Robby Scott allowed the homers. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
The Red Sox had just taken a 1-0 lead and looked to add to it with runners at second and third and one out in the second. Sam Travis hit a medium-depth fly ball to right field. Christian Vasquez tagged and appeared to score, but was called out at the plate on the throw by right fielder Mallex Smith Red Sox manager John Farrell called for a challenge, but the replay official didn't see enough evidence to determine that Vazquez touched home before the tag was applied by Ramos. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
"Well at the time, you've got a chance to go up two," said Farrell. "Looking back, with only one run on the board, yeah, it's big, and I think any time you think you've got a run scored and it's taken away, yeah, that's a missed opportunity. Again, we felt like he was safe. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
Cobb was in trouble in the bottom of the sixth, after the Red Sox got two on with nobody out. Rays manager Kevin Cash went to his bullpen, and Dann Jennings came through by getting a big double play off the bat of Mitch MorelandRafel Devers grounded out, and the once-promising rally was over. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
Boston's starting pitching is on a nice roll, having surrendered two earned runs or fewer in each of the past five games. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
"Had a big opportunity in the sixth inning where we get a couple men on and then a ground-ball double play and a groundout," said Farrell. "And that was pretty much the extent of threat that we did mount. Other than that, their bullpen came in and shut us down as well." "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
The Rays challenged in the fifth when Travis was called safe at first base leading off the inning. After a review of 46 seconds, the call was overturned. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/253534848/wilson-ramos-helps-rays-top-red-sox-in-finale/
With the win, Tampa Bay improved to 71-73 while Boston dropped to 81-62 on the season.
Veteran left-hander 37-year-old CC Sabathia will get the start for New York. He has a record of 11-5 with a 3.91 earn run average. Sabathia cut down on walks his last start, issuing just one free pass after walking five batters in his previous outing, However, the Orioles lit him up for five runs on eight hits, three of which were homers. He will take on Tampa Bay right -hander Jake Odorizzi who has a record of 8-7 with a 4.58 earn run average. Odorizzi has a no-hit bid for 6 1/3 innings vs the Twins Tuesday which Joe Mauer broke up with a single. It matched his longest no-hit bid of his career and was his first scoreless start of at least 6 2/3 since July 29, 2016, against the Yankees. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-rays/2017/09/11/492251#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492251
First pitch is set for 7:10 pm. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network and Yes.