CC Sabathia To Start As New York Looks To Bounce Back Against Tampa Bay In The Bronx

After Aroldis Chapman blew game one of the four game series for New York in the opener against Tampa Bay in the Bronx on Monday night it is CC Sabathia who is playing his last season in the major leagues who will look to help New York who is leading the American League East even up the series against Tampa Bay who is in second place in the division and five games back of New York while Tampa Bay will look to win yet another game in the series on Tuesday night.

New York comes into the game with a record of 59-33 while Tampa Bay comes into the game with a record of 56-40. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings

As stated above,

CC Sabathia will start for New York. The veteran left-hander who is playing his final season in the Major Leagues comes into the game with a record of 5-4 with a 4.03 earn run average. Sabathia received a no-decision in his final start before the All-Star break, completing seven innings of three-run ball against the Rays on July 6. This will be Sabathia's fifth start of the year against Tampa Bay. He's 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA so far. He will oppose Tampa Bay right -hander Ryan Stanek who comes into the game with a record of 0-2 with a 3.14 earn run average. In 26 starts this season, Stanek has a 1.98 ERA and has struck out 46 over 41 innings. The Rays are 17-9 in games started by Stanek this season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers

As for the opening game between New York and Tampa Bay.

One player gave New York the lead while another gave it right back.

Chapman snapped several good ones to get within one strike of sealing a victory, but he went back to the well one too many times. Travis d'Arnaud smacked a go-ahead three-run homer, celebrating his record-setting third long ball of the game, as the Rays stunned the Yankees in a 5-4 defeat on Monday at Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/edwin-encarnacion-two-home-runs-yankees-lose-rays

"All night, the slider had been working for me," Chapman said through a translator. "I was trying to surprise him with the slider, down and away. That one was a little higher than I wanted, and he took advantage of it." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/edwin-encarnacion-two-home-runs-yankees-lose-rays

Chapman was charged with his fourth blown save as the late rally wasted Edwin Encarnacion's first multihomer game in pinstripes. Tampa Bay is now within five games in the American League East, its smallest deficit since the end of play on June 24.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/edwin-encarnacion-two-home-runs-yankees-lose-rays

"It didn’t end the way we wanted, but they have a lot of guys that can make it tough on you," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "We did a really good job tonight of making their pitchers earn everything. It looked like we were going to outlast them there, but it’s a really good team." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/edwin-encarnacion-two-home-runs-yankees-lose-rays

Chapman opened the ninth by permitting back-to-back hits to Kevin Kiermaier and Guillermo Heredia, then struck out the next two batters on sliders. Chapman got ahead of d'Arnaud 1-2, then saw the catcher foul off two pitches and watch two others go by out of the strike zone. The eighth pitch of the at-bat carried over Aaron Judge and landed in the right-field seats. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/edwin-encarnacion-two-home-runs-yankees-lose-rays

"The way he hit that ball, I thought we had a chance to catch it," Chapman said. "Not the case tonight." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/edwin-encarnacion-two-home-runs-yankees-lose-rays

Having earlier slugged a pair of solo homers off starter James Paxton, d’Arnaud became the first catcher to hit three home runs against the Yankees. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/edwin-encarnacion-two-home-runs-yankees-lose-rays

"I was just trying to get on base," d'Arnaud said. "I didn’t want to be too greedy with Chapman out there, he’s so good. I got lucky and put the ball in the air.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/edwin-encarnacion-two-home-runs-yankees-lose-rays

The former Met’s heroics spoiled a banner evening for Encarnacion, who notched the 36th multihomer game of his career. Encarnacion took Blake Snell deep in the fourth inning, and after Gio Urshela tied the game with a seventh-inning shot off Emilio Pagan, Encarnacion gave the Yankees the lead with a two-run blast off Andrew Kittredge in the eighth. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/edwin-encarnacion-two-home-runs-yankees-lose-rays

From his vantage point at first base, Encarnacion said that he expected d'Arnaud's ninth-inning drive to land in Judge's glove. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/edwin-encarnacion-two-home-runs-yankees-lose-rays

"I didn't think he got it," Encarnacion said. "It wasn't my best game, because we lost. It's part of the game." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/edwin-encarnacion-two-home-runs-yankees-lose-rays

Boone has frequently opined that Chapman's increasing reliance on the slider will help his longevity, and it is a pitch that he has thrown more than ever this season. Including Monday, Chapman has gone to the slider 32.9 percent of the time. His previous career high was 25.4 percent, last season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/edwin-encarnacion-two-home-runs-yankees-lose-rays

That shift coincides with Chapman's reduced fastball velocity, which has averaged 98.2 mph this season – still impressive, just not up to the triple-digit standards that the “Cuban Missile” showed years ago. Chapman's average fastball velocity has decreased in each of the last three seasons, dipping from 101.1 mph in 2016 to 100.0 mph in ‘17, then 98.9 mph in ‘18. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/edwin-encarnacion-two-home-runs-yankees-lose-rays

"It’s as much a factor for him as his fastball," Boone said. "It was just up and away and d’Arnaud put a good swing on it, but I had no issue with the pitch selection.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/edwin-encarnacion-two-home-runs-yankees-lose-rays

Tampa Bay on the other hand was on the other end of the spectrum in the opener of the four game series.

d’Arnaud hit a walk-off home run on July 6 against New York at Tropicana Field, and on Monday night, he came into the Bronx and put together one of the best individual performances in Rays franchise history. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

On a day that began with d’Arnaud almost missing the team bus to Yankee Stadium, the 30-year-old catcher ended the night with a bang, connecting on three home runs, including a go-ahead three-run shot in the ninth inning off Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman to lead the Rays to a 5-4 win at Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

“It was a big win. Huge win,” d’Arnaud said. “Not bad for a day that I almost missed the bus. To be up 1-0 in this series and to win three in a row against a great team in the Yankees is big for us.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

d’Arnaud, who is familiar with New York baseball fans having played parts of six seasons with the Mets, didn’t waste any time quieting the home crowd, sending a 386-foot home run to the right-center-field bleachers in the first inning for his first career leadoff home run. Two innings later, the catcher hit another solo shot to almost exactly the same spot, the second one traveling 379 feet. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

He was locked in,” said Rays starter Blake Snell, who allowed one run in five innings. “You can tell from the first at-bat, his second at-bat, he was feeling pretty good. To be able to watch that and be a part of that, it’s really cool to see.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

But no swing was more important than his last one. With Tampa Bay down to its last out, d’Arnaud stepped up to the plate representing the go-ahead run. Hitting coach Chad Mottola, who had a relationship with d’Arnaud when the catcher was rising through Toronto's organization, reminded him to stay short with his swing. d’Arnaud has credited Mottola for reviving his career, and his advice paid off again Monday night. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

As he was down to his final strike against one of the best relievers in baseball, d’Arnaud laid off a couple of sliders in the dirt and spoiled a couple of 100 mph fastballs. Then, he got an 85 mph slider on the outside part of the plate and deposited it just over the right-field fence and over the outstretched arm of Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

“I figured I was out or it was a home run,” d’Arnaud said. “Judge was there, but it was far enough out of his reach.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

Chapman added, “All night, the slider had been working for me. I was trying to surprise him with the slider, down and away. That one was a little higher than I wanted, and he took advantage of it.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

It was just the fifth time in Rays franchise history that a player hit three home runs in a game, and the first since Evan Longoria did it on Oct. 3, 2012, against Baltimore. d’Arnaud also became the first catcher in MLB history to hit three home runs out of the leadoff spot and the first catcher to hit three home runs against the Yankees in a game. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

“He’s played in this environment and there’s no denying that,” said Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash. “We have a lot of guys that haven’t. Travis has. He’s been fortunate to play over there with the Mets and a lot of fans, bright lights. That certainly has to play a factor and help him when he’s gotten some of these big opportunities and come through.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

After going 3-for-3 with two walks in the win, d’Arnaud is hitting .314 (11-for-35) with four home runs and nine RBIs in 11 games against the Yankees this season. Overall, d’Arnaud, who was acquired from the Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations on May 10, is hitting .282 with nine home runs and 26 RBIs as a member of the Rays. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

The relationship with Mottola has played a key role for d’Arnaud, but so has a fresh start with Tampa Bay and the opportunity to play consistently, which he lacked in New York and Los Angeles. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

“I know after 50 at-bats I started feeling more comfortable,” d’Arnaud said. “I don’t know why, but that was the number. I felt comfortable and we got a great pitching coach in [Kyle] Snyder. Cash has been great. [Paul] Hoover has been great, everyone has been great and helping me get back to the player that I know I can be.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

The heroics by d’Arnaud helped the Rays avoid another late-inning loss and gain a huge win in New York. The win snapped a streak of 14 consecutive series-opening losses at Yankee Stadium. It also helped Tampa Bay cut the division lead to five games, with five games remaining between the two teams. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

“Especially being the first game, it’s huge,” Snell said. “We know how good [the Yankees] are. That team is really good. They have a great bullpen, great starters, they’re just great all-around. For us to be able to get this win and fight it out with one pitch left and Travis just put the team on his back, it’s amazing and it’s a great way to start [the series]. But we know we still have three tough games to go." “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/travis-d-arnaud-first-three-homer-game

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