Tampa Bay @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 27, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 1, NY Yankees 0
Derek Jeter hopes to provide the struggling New York Yankees with a shot in the arm when he returns for Sunday's series finale versus the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees captain, who played in a simulated game on Staten Island Saturday, competed in one contest on July 11 after returning from offseason surgery on his left ankle - only to strain his right quadriceps. "It's obviously someone we've been waiting for for a long time," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "We had him for one day. We won that game, so hopefully his ratio continues."
The Yankees' current run hasn't been kind as they fell for the fifth time in seven games following Saturday afternoon's 1-0 setback. Conversely, American League East-leading Tampa Bay has torched the competition of late - winning 21 of 24 contests, including the first two games of the series. Left-hander Matt Moore will look to keep pace with Detroit's Max Scherzer as he tries for his 15th victory on Sunday.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, SUN (Tampa Bay), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Matt Moore (14-3, 3.17 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Phil Hughes (4-9, 4.33)
Moore posted his sixth consecutive victory after scattering two hits in a complete-game shutout against Boston on Monday. The 24-year-old began the winning streak by tossing 6 1/3 solid innings versus the Yankees on June 20. The victory improved Moore's mark to 4-2 against New York - and he has limited the Yankees to a .233 batting average in seven starts.
After losing five of his previous six starts, Hughes settled for a no-decision after yielding three unearned runs in 5 2/3 innings against Texas on Tuesday. The 27-year-old is 4-4 in his career versus Tampa Bay, but permitted two runs in seven solid innings in a no-decision on April 23. Hughes has struggled mightily at home, posting a 1-7 mark with a 5.63 ERA in 10 starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York has failed to hit a home run in nine consecutive games. The last time the Yankees went without a blast in 10 straight was 1984.
2. Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria is riding a nine-game hitting streak and rookie RF Wil Myers has hit safely in eight straight contests.
3. New York will sign veteran Hideki Matsui to a minor-league contract on Saturday to allow him to retire as a Yankee. The 2009 World Series MVP will be honored with a video montage before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
PREDICTION: Yankees 2, Rays 1