The Yankees have won four of Javier Vazquez’ last five road starts.
When the two best teams in baseball meet separated by two games or less in late July it makes for plenty of excitement. That’s why antiquated Tropicana Field will be the center of the baseball universe when the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays open a three-game series on Friday.
Perish the thought, especially in Beantown, but the Yankees and Rays are quickly becoming the marquee matchup in the American League.
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New York has gone 9-4 since the All-Star break and won seven of its last 10 games. And the Rays have done exactly the same. However, both teams have been beating up on weaklings recently and realize the stakes will be a lot higher this weekend when they play before packed houses in St. Pete.
The entire series is sold out; the first time in Tampa Bay history there have been three consecutive regular-season sellouts at the Trop.
New York, since taking two of three from the Rays during an emotional weekend in the Bronx from July 16-18, has feasted on the Los Angeles Angels, the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Indians. The Rays have been padding their stats against Baltimore, the Tribe and a short-handed Detroit Tigers bunch.
Tampa Bay and the Yankees have by far the greatest run differentials in the major leagues, 141 for New York, 126 for the Rays and the two top records in baseball.
The harsh reality of the Yankees’ season is that as well as they have played so far — and after 101 games they are 65-36, three games better than they were last year — Tampa Bay is sitting right on their shoulder.
The teams have gone about things differently during their current hot streaks. New York has averaged 6.6 runs per game in its last seven trips to the post (5-2). The Rays have plated just 4.3 RPG in their past seven outings (6-1) and batted only .214.
Matt Garza (11-5, 4.06) takes the mound Saturday night for the first time this season against the Yankees and the first time since no-hitting the Tigers last Monday. Tampa Bay is 5-1 in Garza’s last six starts but 0-6 in his last six appearances against New York.
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Garza has cashed six of eight at Tropicana Field this year with a 3.61 ERA. He is 1-3 in his career against the Yankees with a 3.26 ERA.
Javier Vazquez (9-7, 4.84) looks to atone for a shaky effort against the Rays during the first series encounter of the season back in early April. Vazquez lasted just 5 2/3 innings, exiting after yielding eight runs and eight hits, including a pair of homers.
Since beginning the year 1-4 in six starts, Vazquez is 8-3 with a 3.16 ERA. The veteran right-hander has split 10 career decisions against Tampa Bay with a 4.91 ERA.
New York is 12-4 in Vazquez’ last 16 starts versus division foes and 7-3 in his past 10 starts overall.
The Yankees have won 16 of their last 21 on the road, while the Rays have prevailed in 10 of their last 11 at home.
New York is 8-3 in its last 11 against teams on the plus side of the ledger. Tampa Bay is 14-1 at the Trop versus top-level teams (62% or greater win percentage).
The first eight series clashes this season and 10 of the past 11 have ended on the high side.
The Rays have topped the ‘total’ in 12 of 13 versus an AL team with an OBP of .345 or better. In addition, they have jumped the number at an 11-4-1 rate versus division rivals and at a 6-2-1 pace in Garza’s last nine outings.
New York has eclipsed the ‘total’ in 21 of 32 division battles and at a 9-4-1 clip in its last 13 contests overall.