Tampa Bay @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 22, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 5, NY Yankees 7

The New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays have been battling in the American League East for the last few seasons, but it is a pair of newcomers taking over the current series. Yankees left fielder Zoilo Almonte will try to get the better of Rays rookie Wil Myers in the finale of a four-game set at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. Almonte has four hits - including his first career home run - and four RBIs in the last two games.

Myers clubbed his first career home run - a go-ahead grand slam - as part of a three-hit day on Saturday but the bullpen could not hold the lead in a 7-5 loss. The 22-year-old has been compared to teammate Evan Longoria, who has enjoyed a nice series as well with three home runs. New York has withstood those two sluggers to take the last two contests and has gone 3-2 on its nine-game homestand.

TV: 2:05 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), YES (New York), TBS

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Chris Archer (1-3, 5.03 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Ivan Nova (2-1, 5.16)

Archer has gotten four total runs of support in his four starts but has not held up his end of the bargain in the last two. The 24-year-old has issued nine walks and allowed five earned runs in 8 2/3 combined innings to suffer back-to-back losses to the Boston Red Sox. Archer has made two of his four starts on the road and is 0-2 with an 8.31 ERA in those outings.

Nova is being recalled with New York in need of an extra starter due to a doubleheader last Wednesday. The right-hander has been up and down with the major-league club this season and last allowed one run and five hits in five innings against the New York Mets on May 29. Nova tossed a scoreless inning of relief against Tampa Bay on May 25 and is 6-1 with a 2.98 ERA in nine career games against the Rays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Injured Yankees SS Derek Jeter (ankle) has been with the team this weekend and will stay through Sunday before continuing his rehab in Florida.

2. Tampa Bay is trying to avoid its third three-game losing streak of the month.

3. New York will celebrate Old Timer’s Day prior to Sunday’s game.

PREDICTION: Rays 7, Yankees 4