Tampa Bay @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 26, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 10, NY Yankees 6
After spoiling Alfonso Soriano's return to New York, the visiting Tampa Bay Rays look to keep their good fortune going on Saturday when they face the Yankees in the second contest of the three-game series. A six-run second inning powered Tampa Bay to its 20th win in 23 outings - as well as sole possession of first place in the American League East. Acquired from the Chicago Cubs earlier on Friday, Soriano went 0-for-5 with an RBI fielder's choice and a run scored in the 10-6 setback.
Derek Jeter is eligible to return off the disabled list Saturday, although the Yankees revealed that he will play in a simulated game before possibly making his return on Sunday. The 39-year-old captain played in one game on July 11 after returning from offseason surgery on his left ankle - only to strain his right quadriceps. With seven consecutive multi-hit contests, Tampa Bay rookie Wil Myers looks to match Carl Crawford's franchise record while also extending the Rays' half-game lead over Boston.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, SUN (Tampa Bay), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Chris Archer (5-3, 2.76 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Ivan Nova (4-3, 3.66)
Archer ignited his four-game winning streak by handcuffing the Yankees over six solid innings en route to a 3-1 triumph on June 23. The 24-year-old has permitted seven earned runs in his last six outings, capped by a one-run, five-hit effort over seven innings in a win against Toronto on Sunday. Archer hasn't allowed a homer in his last three starts - and only yielded five all season.
Nova saw his two-start winning streak come to an end after permitting three runs in seven innings in a 3-0 loss to Texas on Monday. The 26-year-old Dominican had a good shot of bouncing back versus the Rays, against whom he owns a 6-2 career mark while limiting them to a .229 batting average. Nova has recorded three of his four victories at home, lowering his ERA by nearly one full run while registering a WHIP of 1.12.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees OF Brett Gardner, who went 2-for-5 in the series opener, is 11-for-25 in his last seven games. He is 2-for-3 with a double versus Archer.
2. Myers, who had an RBI single on Friday, is 20-for-41 in his last 10 contests. He went 1-for-3 versus Nova in their lone meeting.
3. Tampa Bay RHP Alex Cobb is slated to pitch a bullpen session on Saturday. Cobb is working his way back after being hit in the head by a line drive last month.
PREDICTION: Yankees 3, Rays 2