CC Sabathia To Start Opener As New York Takes On Tampa Bay With First Place In The Division At Stake

It was just seven days ago that New York and Tampa Bay who are both members of the American League East were playing a three game series at Tropicana Field.

On Friday the two teams that are in first and second place in the division will open up yet another three game series but this time in the Bronx with the division lead up for grabs but mother nature might be the deciding factor if they get the opener in or not as there are a chance of showers.

New York who is in second place in the division comes into the game with a record of 26-16 while Tampa Bay who is in first place in the division comes into the game with a record of 26-15. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings

CC Sabathia will start the opener for New York. The veteran left-hander who is playing his last season in the Major Leagues comes into the game with a record of 2-1 with a 3.26 earn run average. Sabathia is coming off a no-decision against the Rays during which he permitted two runs and three hits over five innings and served up a pair of homers in a Yankees loss. The lefty has completed at least five innings in all six starts this year. Who he will oppose in the opener against Tampa Bay has yet to be announced.

As for New York’s previous games, they not only played a doubleheader on Wednesday but they swept Baltimore in the process.

Second baseman Gleyber Torres was a big reason why New York swept their American League East foe.

With that swing, it became an unforgettable trip to the office for Torres, who joined Joe DiMaggio as the youngest Yankees to enjoy a three-homer day. The 22-year-old’s performance helped Domingo Germán become the Majors' first eight-game winner in a 3-1 victory over the Orioles, completing a doubleheader sweep. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

"It's really good," Torres said. "In a doubleheader, we felt really tired in the second game for sure, but you just focus and do the job to help the team. I think there's no better feeling than when you do the job and you help your team." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

After Torres mashed a pair of homers in the first game, a 5-3 New York victory, the infielder launched a deep drive off Baltimore starter Andrew Cashner in the nightcap. The Yankees (26-16) moved a season-high 10 games above .500, having won 20 of their last 27 games, and they pulled to within a half-game of the first-place Rays in the American League East ahead of a three-game series vs. Tampa Bay this weekend. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

"It’s big," manager Aaron Boone said. "I thought the energy the guys came out with in the first game was excellent. A lot of guys contributed again today." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

DiMaggio is the only other Yankee to homer three times in a day at age 22 or younger, according to STATS. The Yankee Clipper did it twice -- in a 1936 doubleheader and in a three-homer game in 1937. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

Torres has eight homers this season, and six have come off Baltimore pitching. He acknowledged that his right elbow continues to feel sore from a hit-by-pitch on Friday, but it clearly did not affect him at the plate. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

"I'm still a contact hitter," Torres said, with a laugh. "I think the key is to prepare in my offseason. I worked really hard. I just want to continue what I did last year. I'm just focused on doing my job and trying to be consistent, and try to help." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

Meanwhile, German continued his emergence into one of the AL’s top young hurlers, striking out eight and limiting Baltimore to a run as he matched his career high with seven innings pitched. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

German became the first Yankee with eight wins through the team’s first 42 games since Tommy John opened the 1979 season with a 9-0 record.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

"It feels good that I'm getting the job done, but at the same time, this doesn't mean that I take my foot off the pedal," German said through a translator. "The job at hand is much bigger and concentration is key. It feels good, but at the same time, we have more work to be done." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

Hanser Alberto’s fifth-inning sacrifice fly accounted for the only damage against the 26-year-old German, who scattered six hits and issued one walk. German threw first-pitch strikes to 21 of the 27 batters he faced.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

He has the feel and throw that should lend itself to being a guy who has command," Boone said. "He’s capable of that, and I think he’s cleaned himself up just a little bit in subtle ways in his delivery. It lends itself to having better command, especially as he tires." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

German was supported in part by Luke Voit, who snapped an 0-for-22 skid with a run-scoring double in the third inning. Voit added an RBI single in the seventh off Shawn Armstrong, part of a three-hit performance.

"I never worry about confidence; Luke knows he can hit," Boone said. "I know I wear it out, but when he controls the zone and gets his good swing off, he can be lethal."

Unlike in the first game, when veteran J.A. Happ was lifted after 5 1/3 innings and 64 pitches, Boone trusted his promising starter to guard a one-run lead through a troublesome and fatiguing seventh inning. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

Two singles and a two-out walk to No. 8 hitter Pedro Severino loaded the bases, but Boone opted to extend the leash on German, who induced Joey Rickard to ground into an inning-ending fielder's choice. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

"That whole inning was a big experience for me," German said. "I'm very happy that he allowed me to pitch through that inning. I think it's probably the first time in my career that I went into a game [in the late innings] where it was a small lead, winning by one run. It was great, just to be allowed to get out of that inning and fight through it. I'm glad he did." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman pitched scoreless innings in both ends of the doubleheader, with Chapman recording his 10th and 11th saves. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-another-homer-vs-orioles

After a day off on Thursday New York will welcome Tampa Bay to the Bronx for a three game series starting Friday night who played a week ago at the Tropicana Filed where in one of their games the power went out and the game was delayed. Hopefully we can avoid that issue with the teams who are first and second in the American League East playing this weekend at Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

Like New York, Tampa Bay also won their previous game and but unlike New York they didn’t play a doubleheader on Wednesday against Miami. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

The night started out with joy after Bemboom connected on his first big league hit, an RBI double in the second inning off Marlins starter Jose Urena that ended up being the decisive run in the Rays’ 1-0 win on Wednesday at Marlins Park.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

After going hitless in his debut on Sunday, the 29-year-old made his presence felt, going 2-for-2 and helping the Rays' pitching staff complete its second consecutive shutout and fifth of the season.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

But unfortunately for Bemboom, the night ended with the rookie having to leave in the sixth inning with a left knee sprain. Bemboom said he suffered the injury in the bottom of the fifth on a move that he said he has made “1,000 times” in his career. He was replaced by Travis d'Arnaud when his spot came up in the batting order in the seventh inning.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

“It’s a little tough,” Bemboom said after the game. “Obviously, everything you can do to help the team win is great, and I’m excited about that. But also, anytime you’re not on the field, it’s kind of tough not being able to help your team win and be available.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

Bemboom said he felt “relief” to get his first big league hit, but it was difficult to fully enjoy it because of the way his night ended. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

“To see Bemboom come through with his first knock and end up being the game-winner, that was pretty awesome,” Rays reliever Emilio Pagán said. “Bemboom is a great guy and I’m happy for him. Hopefully he’s OK.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

After playing eight years in the Minor Leagues, Bemboom admitted that he occasionally wondered if he would ever get an opportunity to help a team at the big league level. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

Bemboom had stints with the Angels’ and the Rockies’ organizations but never got an opportunity to play in the Major Leagues. After spending the 2018 season with the Rockies’ Triple-A Albuquerque team, Bemboom decided to sign with the Rays on a Minor League deal in hopes of finding a path to the big league level. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

With catcher Mike Zunino (quad) and Michael Perez (oblique) both on the injured list, Bemboom finally got the opportunity, receiving his callup last Friday. But now it appears that Bemboom will join Zunino and Perez on the injured list. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

“It’s frustrating,” manager Kevin Cash said. “I feel for him simply because I think he’s going to miss some time here. He has a knee sprain. He got it pretty good, and we’re going to have some doctors look at it.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

With Bemboom going on the injured list, it’s expected that Nick Ciuffo will join d’Arnaud as the two catchers on the active roster. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

The Marlins had multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead on Wednesday, but perhaps none was better than in the sixth inning, when they had runners on second and third with no outs and Pagan on the mound. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

Pagan opened the inning with a walk to Garrett Cooper, followed by a double by catcher Jorge Alfaro. But then Pagan said he changed his approach, going from throwing multiple cutters to relying on his fastball.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

“I feel like I threw some decent pitches, but they just put some good swings on them,” Pagan said. “I kinda understood that they were sitting offspeed a little bit. Me and Bemboom kind of noticed that, and we kind of stuck with my fastball there.””according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

With the new approach, Pagan was able to get Jon Berti to strike out looking before getting Rosell Herrera to pop up for the second out. Now that Pagan had the fastball command working, he decided to go back to the cutter against Martin Prado, striking out the Marlins' infielder looking on the pitch. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

Once I got Prado sped up enough, I was able to drop that cutter back in there to get out of it,” Pagan said. “Obviously it was a huge part of the game, and it was a lot of fun competing against those guys. They put together some really good at-bats, and I’m glad I got out of it.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/anthony-bemboom-gets-first-hit-rbi-in-rays-win

First pitch is set for 7:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Sun and Major League Baseball Network.