Jordan Montgomery Out To Prove He's Post Season Worthy In The Opener As New York Takes On Tampa Bay

Tonight rookie left-hander Jordan Montgomery will go out on the mound and try to prove to Joe Girardi that he deserves a spot in the postseason rotation in the opener of this three game series against Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium. 

With CC Sabathia starting Monday's makeup game vs. Kansas City, Jordan Montgomery will start for the Yankees on Tuesday to open a three-game series vs. Blake Snell and the Rays. Although New York has already clinched one of the American League Wild Card spots, its chase for the AL East title is still ongoing. New York is 4 1/2 games behind Boston in the division. The Rays are six games behind the Twins for the second AL Wild Card spot with six games to play. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170924255865752/montgomery-aims-to-impress-as-yanks-host-rays/?game_pk=492456

If the Yankees are going to use a left-handed starter in the postseason -- and they may not -- it will be either Montgomery or Jaime Garcia. It won't be both. In that sense, Tuesday will represent an audition of sorts for the rookie southpaw, who won his last start by throwing six scoreless innings vs. the Orioles on Sept. 16. In 27 starts this season, Montgomery is 8-7 with a 4.06 ERA. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170924255865752/montgomery-aims-to-impress-as-yanks-host-rays/?game_pk=492456

After a slow start in the first half of the season, Snell (4-6, 4.01 ERA) has gotten into a rhythm on the mound, posting a 2.78 ERA in his last four starts. Snell matched his career high by tossing seven scoreless innings in Wednesday's win over the Cubs. The Rays left-hander has now thrown at least seven innings in three of his past six starts, compared to just once in the first 35 starts of his career. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170924255865752/montgomery-aims-to-impress-as-yanks-host-rays/?game_pk=492456

Although Snell allowed just two hits in his last start, he is hoping to correct some location issues against the Yankees. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170924255865752/montgomery-aims-to-impress-as-yanks-host-rays/?game_pk=492456

"With the last game I threw, I was pretty upset with how many balls I threw arm-side," Snell said. "There was a lot. It didn't get noticed because I did throw a good game, but I noticed it, so I need to clean that up a little bit. [In] the bullpen that I had with [pitching coach Jim Hickey], I worked on it a little bit, I didn't work on it a lot, but I feel really confident going into Tuesday." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170924255865752/montgomery-aims-to-impress-as-yanks-host-rays/?game_pk=492456

With a left-hander on the mound, Yankees manager Joe Girardi could sit a few of his left-handed regulars as he looks to give players rest before the postseason begins. Girardi mentioned Didi Gregorius and Jacoby Ellsbury as options to sit Tuesday, as he tries to balance playing time for his regulars heading into October. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170924255865752/montgomery-aims-to-impress-as-yanks-host-rays/?game_pk=492456

"The physical part is important, that they are strong going into the playoffs, that they are not beat up and that they feel rested," Girardi said. "There is a balance there. You want everyone to feel confident and feel good about where they are going into the playoffs. But there is a balance there." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170924255865752/montgomery-aims-to-impress-as-yanks-host-rays/?game_pk=492456

Evan Longoria needs one more home run to achieve a fifth consecutive season of at least 20 homers. The Rays' third baseman has had some success in his career at the new Yankee Stadium, too, having hit for a .283 average, with 48 RBIs. Longoria has hit 16 round-trippers there as well, his third-highest road total behind Fenway Park (17) and Camden Yards (21). "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170924255865752/montgomery-aims-to-impress-as-yanks-host-rays/?game_pk=492456

 Snell has pitched more innings at Yankee Stadium (17 2/3) than any other park on the road. The lefty has posted a 3.57 ERA with 14 strikeouts at the Yankees' home turf. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170924255865752/montgomery-aims-to-impress-as-yanks-host-rays/?game_pk=492456

 Among all left-handed starters who have faced at least 100 batters since the All-Star break, Snell is tied for fourth with Seattle's James Paxton in expected wOBA allowed (.271), according to Statcast. That figure, based on the quality of contact made against Snell and his actual strikeouts and walks, puts him behind only Clayton Kershaw, Chris Sale and Gio Gonzalez over that span. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170924255865752/montgomery-aims-to-impress-as-yanks-host-rays/?game_pk=492456

As for New York's last game, they had to make up a game with Kansas City,

It's time to make room for the 6"7 282 pound rookie right -fielder Aaron Judge of New York in the record books!

Aaron Judge might be only twenty-five years old but he's already breaking records and against Kansas City, he backed up 37-year-old veteran left-hander CC Sabathia while breaking Mark McGwire rookie home run record. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

Never in baseball history has a first-year player hit more home runs than Aaron Judge, who now stands alone among the best rookie home run hitters of all time after New York's 11-3 win over the Royals at Yankee Stadium on Monday. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

Judge hit two home runs to set the new single-season rookie record of 50, breaking the previous mark set by Mark McGwire in 1987. Judge lined a two-run shot the opposite way off Royals starter Jakob Junis in the third and skied a solo shot to left-center off Trevor Cahill in the seventh. Gary Sanchez followed the seventh-inning blast with a solo shot of his own, while Greg Bird connected on a two-run homer an inning before. All of that power backed starter CC Sabathia, who tossed his second straight strong start in anticipation of the postseason. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

"It's incredible," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of Judge. "I think we'll appreciate it more when we sit down and have a chance to think about what he did this year. He's in the conversation for the MVP. Not just the Rookie of the Year, but the MVP." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

Judge may have made history, but Sabathia's performance Monday may have been even more important for a team looking ahead to the American League Wild Card Game and potentially the AL Division Series. The loss put the Royals six games back of the Twins for the second Wild Card, with six games remaining. The Twins are off Monday night. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

The Yankees will need four starters should they advance past the Wild Card Game to avoid bringing somebody back on short rest, and Sabathia is pitching well enough to be included in that group after struggling in August. He cruised through six innings Monday, holding the Royals to three singles before allowing back-to-back home runs to Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas in the seventh. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

"Think about where we were in Toronto the last time -- where he was mentally, I wasn't sure," Girardi said. "But he's pitched really well since he put that knee brace on. He continues to pitch well and had another good day today." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

The win gave Sabathia 236 for his career, tying Whitey Ford for 60th on the all-time list. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

"Joe told me about that after the game," Sabathia said. "I just want to keep on going." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

Moustakas' homer was his 38th of the season and chased Sabathia, who improved to 13-5 after three Yankees relievers sealed the win. But before that, the veteran lefty was able to hold an early lead by striking out four and inducing plenty of soft contact over his six-plus innings. Once he tired, the Yankees' bullpen took over and the offense started scoring again. It's a recipe the club could look to replicate come October. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

Rookie right-hander Jakob Junis kept the Royals in the game until the sixth inning, when Bird's two-run home run extended the lead to 6-0. Junis wasn't even too upset at giving up Judge's third-inning home run. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

"I definitely didn't think it was that bad a pitch," Junis said. "A heater up and in at [93 mph]. He's just a strong guy." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

It's been a sensational finish to what will go down as one of the greatest rookie seasons ever, as Judge received a standing ovation after he was removed for a pinch-runner in the eighth. The crowd cheered in appreciation of this historic day, but it felt just as much an appreciation of this year as a whole. Judge is just the fifth Yankees player to hit 50 home runs in a season, joining Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Alex Rodriguez. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

"Just getting a chance to play one game with the Yankees was quite an honor," Judge said. "To have my name with those greats is something I never dreamed of." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

After Perez and Moustakas went back to back in the seventh to chase Sabathia, the Yankees answered with the heart of their order in the bottom half. When Judge and Sanchez went back to back off Cahill, it marked the third straight time they've been the Yankees hitters to do so this season. The two have 83 home runs, the most by Yankees teammates since Maris and Mantle combined for 115 in 1961. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

"He's so strong. There's no part of the ballpark he can't drive it out of. And it seems like he's a genuinely nice kid. He just goes out and plays baseball the right way."
-- Royals manager Ned Yost, on Judge "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

With his homers Monday, Judge has now homered against every AL team this season. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

Moustakas, who already owned the Royals' single-season home run record, tied Bob Cerv for the most ever by a Kansas City player. Cerv hit 38 for the 1958 Kansas City A's, two years after the A's acquired him from the Yankees. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256044058/historic-judge-backs-solid-cc-as-yanks-cruise/

With the win, New York improves to 87-69 and is 4.0 games back in second place behind Boston who is leading the American League East with a record of 91-65. With the loss, Kansas City drops to 76-80 in the American League Central and is now 22.0 games back of the division leader Cleveland who has a record of 98-58. 

As for Tampa Bay's last game, They lost to Baltimore Sunday,

JJ Hardy hit a two-run home run in what was likely the last home game of his Orioles career and rookie Chance Sisco added a two-run shot to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 9-4 win over the Rays on Sunday. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/255865748/orioles-jj-hardy-homers-in-final-home-game/?topicId=27118408

With the loss, the Rays fell six games back in the American League Wild Card race with six games to play. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/255865748/orioles-jj-hardy-homers-in-final-home-game/?topicId=27118408

Mychal Givens  (8-1) retired all five batters he faced for the win. Chris Tillman started in place of Dylan Bundy,  who was a late scratch with a strained left hamstring  Tillman allowed four runs in four innings.  Kevin Kiermaier hit Tillman's first pitch into the center-field bleachers for his 15th home run of the season, and his third leadoff knock. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/255865748/orioles-jj-hardy-homers-in-final-home-game/?topicId=27118408

The Orioles scored four runs in the first off Chris Archer, but Tampa Bay tied it in the second with three runs. Jesus Secur's 's two-run home run made it 4-4. Archer (9-12) allowed six runs, five earned, in 3 2/3 innings. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/255865748/orioles-jj-hardy-homers-in-final-home-game/?topicId=27118408

Archer coming out of the gate, for whatever reason, looked like he couldn't find the command with his slider throughout the day," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "And, you know, [the Orioles] can hit. Really liked the way the guys came back ... [Sucre] with the big home run there. After that, we just couldn't get anything else going." "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/255865748/orioles-jj-hardy-homers-in-final-home-game/?topicId=27118408

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones left the game with general leg soreness in the fourth inning. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/255865748/orioles-jj-hardy-homers-in-final-home-game/?topicId=27118408

Hardy made what was likely his final home game with the Orioles memorable by hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning that gave the Orioles a 6-4 lead. Hardy, who missed nearly three months with a broken right wrist, hadn't homered since May 24. The crowd gave Hardy a standing ovation, and he stepped out of the dugout to acknowledge it with a wave of his helmet. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/255865748/orioles-jj-hardy-homers-in-final-home-game/?topicId=27118408

Hardy was signed to a three-year contract extension in 2014 with an option for '18 that won't vest due to the wrist fracture. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/255865748/orioles-jj-hardy-homers-in-final-home-game/?topicId=27118408

Chance Sisco could be the Orioles' catcher of the future, and in his first start, he hit a two-run homer in the sixth that padded Baltimore's lead to 8-4. Sisco hit his first home run on Sept. 14 at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/255865748/orioles-jj-hardy-homers-in-final-home-game/?topicId=27118408

"I don't think it surprises anybody. J.J. has delivered a lot of things the team has needed over the course of his time here." -- Orioles manager Buck Showalter, on Hardy's home run "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/255865748/orioles-jj-hardy-homers-in-final-home-game/?topicId=27118408

"Pretty impressive today with J.J. Hardy. It's funny how baseball has a special way of appreciating really good players. I don't know J.J. at all, but just from everything you hear about him, that was pretty cool the way that all worked out. You appreciate it. He's been a pro from the other dugout for many, many years and it's just amazing how that kind of works out. I know he comes up and hits a home run, which wasn't good for us, but it's good to see good things happen to good players." -- Cash "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/255865748/orioles-jj-hardy-homers-in-final-home-game/?topicId=27118408

Kiermaier was called safe on a grounder to first baseman Chris Davis to lead off the fifth inning when Davis' flip to pitcher Donnie Hart appeared to reach the bag in time. The Orioles challenged the call, and it was overturned after a 57-second delay. "according to http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/255865748/orioles-jj-hardy-homers-in-final-home-game/?topicId=27118408

With the loss, Tampa Bay dropped to 76-80 on the season and is 15.0 games back of Boston who is leading the American League East. 

Left-hander Blake Snell who has a record of 4-6 with a 4.01 earn run average will get the start for Tampa Bay. Snell matched his career high by tossing seven scoreless innings in a win over the Cubs. Snell has thrown at least seven innings in three of his past six starts, compared to just once in the first 35 starts of his career. He will oppose New York left-hander Jordan Montgomery who has a record of 8-7 with a 4.06 earn run average. If the Yanks are going to use a left-handed starter in the playoffs, It'll either be Montgomery or Jaime Garcia but not both, so this is an audition of sorts for the rookie, who went 6 scoreless frames in his last start on September 16 vs the O's. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rays-vs-yankees/2017/09/26/492456#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492456

Will Jordan Montgomery pitch another scoreless outing like he did against Baltimore? More importantly, will he prove to Joe Girardi that he belongs in New York's postseason rotation over left-hander  Jaime Garcia? Will Tampa Bay be able to get their offense going against the rookie? Will New York be able to back up Jordan Montgomery's start and get their offense going against Blake Snell? 

First pitch is set for 7:05 pm. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Sun and Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rays-vs-yankees/2017/09/26/492456#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492456