Yankees at Rays
The New York Yankees will try to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season when they face the host Tampa Bay Rays in the finale of a three-game set Sunday afternoon. The Rays have taken the first two of the series while holding the powerful Yankees to a total of one run.
Wilmer Font and four relievers combined on a four-hit shutout in Tampa Bay's 4-0 triumph Saturday, its third straight triumph over New York after dropping the first five meetings this season. The Yankees last went this deep into a season without losing three straight in 1954, and they are 6-0 this year when in danger of dropping a third consecutive game. They'll try to get a little more run support for right-hander Domingo German, who opposes Tampa Bay's Matt Andriese in the finale. The Rays have won five straight at home and they've allowed one run or fewer in each of the last four at Tropicana Field.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Domingo German (2-4, 4.77 ERA) vs. Rays RH Matt Andriese (1-3, 3.68)
German struck out a career-high 10 batters over six innings of three-run ball to defeat Tampa Bay two turns ago, and he was even better five days later against Seattle. He held the Mariners to two runs in seven frames while fanning nine, giving the surging 25-year-old 28 strikeouts - against two walks - over his last three starts. Opponents are hitting just .213 against German overall and .201 in his eight starts.
Andriese takes the spot of originally scheduled starter Blake Snell, who was pushed back a day to gain some extra rest. The 28-year-old Andriese has made his last eight appearances out of the bullpen, giving up six runs over 9 2/3 innings across four outings this month. Aaron Judge has hammered Andriese by going 7-for-12 with three home runs and two doubles in their previous encounters.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Yankees are 2-for-17 with runners in scoring position in the series.
2. Rays SS Willy Adames is 4-for-8 with a home run and three RBIs in the series.
3. New York SS Didi Gregorius is 13-for-35 over a nine-game span.