Baseball fans could be in store for a pitchers duel on Thursday night in the Bronx. A pair of seven-game winners, staff aces, square off in the final game of the New York Yankees series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Adding a further element to the game, the results could help define the standings in a tightly packed American League East.
CC Sabathia (7-2, 3.68 ERA) will be looking to earn his third win in a row. The lefty beat Detroit and Oakland in his last two starts. Sabathia beat Tampa Bay earlier this season, striking out 10 and walking one through eight innings. The only thing spoiling that start was a pair of unearned runs.
David Price (7-3, 2.44 ERA) is 2-1 in his last four starts, but has only allowed five earned runs through that same stretch. He shutout the division-leading Baltimore Orioles in his last outing.
New York is a half game back from Baltimore, who plays Boston on Thursday night, and a full game ahead of Tampa Bay. The Yankees could complete the sweep with a win in this one before starting a weekend series against the Mets.
The game starts at 7:05 p.m. Fans can watch it on the YES Network or the MLB Network.
For more on the Yankees, please be sure to check out our blog Pinstripe Alley and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.