New York @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( May 25, 2013 ) NY Yankees 4, Tampa Bay 3

The Tampa Bay Rays had the best bullpen in the American League last season but that seems a distant memory in 2013. The Rays look to rebound from another difficult loss and salvage the finale of a three-game set against the visiting New York Yankees on Sunday. Tampa Bay closer Fernando Rodney blew his fifth save in a 4-3, 11-inning loss Saturday as the Rays’ bullpen ERA ballooned to 4.92 after finishing last season at 2.88. The first-place Yankees are 5-2 in their last seven contests.

New York has had no problems in the bullpen. Mariano Rivera is 18-for-18 in save opportunities and the Yankees’ relievers own a 3.12 ERA - best in the AL. Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said he will stick with Rodney in the closer’s role. “As long as he doesn’t lose confidence in himself, I will not lose confidence in him,” Maddon told reporters.

TV: 1:40 p.m. ET, TBS, YES (New York), SunSports (Tampa)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.43 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (5-2, 2.73)

Sabathia has recorded only one win in his last six starts. The veteran left-hander has allowed three or fewer runs in seven of 10 outings, but yielded four runs on 11 hits over 6 1/3 innings in his last turn against Baltimore. Sabathia is 10-10 with a 3.30 ERA overall against the Rays, but is 3-6 with a 4.07 mark at Tropicana Field, including a loss earlier this season. Evan Longoria is 15-for-41 with five homers against Sabathia.

Cobb has been Tampa Bay’s second-best starter, giving up three earned runs or fewer in eight of nine starts. The right-hander is 2-0 in his last four turns and gave up one run on three hits over 6 1/3 innings in each of his last two. Cobb shut the Yankees out in 8 1/3 innings for a win April 24. He is 2-1 in four starts with a 2.22 ERA lifetime against New York. Robinson Cano is 2-for-12 with two homers vs. Cobb.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rays are 11-16 against AL East opponents, losing three of five vs. the Yankees – all at home.

2. Cano has 16 homers at Tampa Bay, tied for the second most by an opponent since 2005.

3. Longoria has reached base safely in all but two of 48 games this season – both against the Yankees.

PREDICTION: Yankees 3, Rays 2