Yanks @ Rays Series Preview

Yankees at Rays

(2 games)

After splitting a four game series at Yankee Stadium last week the Yanks and Rays face off again, this time for a short two game set at Tropicana Field in Tampa.

The Yankees are 6-7 on the young season, and look to rebound from what has been a rough road trip that has included two straight series losses to the Red Sox in Boston, and the Royals in K.C..

The Rays took two out of three from the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend, they've also won three out of their last four, and are 6-6 overall.

MATCHUPS

Game 1 - Monday @ 7:10 p.m. (YES): Ian Kennedy (0-1, 13.50 ERA) vs. Andy Sonnanstine (1-1, 6.00 ERA)
Game 2 - Tuesday @ 7:10 p.m. (YES): Andy Pettitte (1-1, 3.09 ERA) vs. Edwin Jackson (2-0, 0.64 ERA)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Yankees - Johnny Damon: If the Yankees offense is going to wake up it's going to be because of Damon. Damon has struggled since day one, hitting just .190 with no HRs and 2 RBI. He also did not have a good series last week, hitting just .188 (3-16) but in his career vs. the Rays he done pretty well, hitting .286 with 19 HR, and 84 RBI.

Damon vs. Sonnanstine: .111 (1-9), 0 HR, 0 RBI
Damon vs. Jackson: .000 (0-9)

With his numbers against the two Rays' starters looking like they do there's a good chance Damon may sit for one of these games, making his impact less significant. Because of this I will add a second Yankee to watch:

Hideki Matsui: Matsui has been on of the few consistent Yankees with the bat this season hitting .341 with 2 HR, and 6 RBI. Last week vs. the Rays he had a monster series, hitting .467 (7-15) with 2 HR, and 5 RBI, and for his career Matsui he's .332 hitter with 17 HR and 73 RBI vs. the Rays.

Matsui vs. Sonnanstine: .375, 2 HR, 2 RBI
Matsui vs. Jackson: .333 (4-12)

Rays - B.J. Upton: The Rays' rising star is hitting .302 with a homer and 11 RBI on the season. In the series against the Yanks last weekend, he did not hit well, going just 3-for-15 with no HR and 2 RBI, and for his career against the Yanks he's hit .321 (35-109) with 7 HR, and 21 RBI.

Upton vs. Kennedy: .667 (2-3), 1 HR, 2 RBI
Upton vs. Pettitte: .222 (2-9), 0 HR, 2 RBI

INJURY REPORT

Yankees:
- SS Derek Jeter has a strained quad, but fielded 50 balls at short and ran yesterday and said he felt fine. He will probably play at some point this series. His status is day-to-day.
- C Jorge Posada has a shoulder strain and will probably be limited to a DH role.
- C Jose Molina strained his left hamstring and will probably be placed on the 15-day DL.
- P Joba Chamberlain will likely miss the series; he did not travel with the team to Tampa after Sunday's loss because he is flying to Nebraska to be with his father Harlan who is in critical condition after collapsing in his home.

Rays
- IF Willy Aybar is on the 15-day DL with a hamstring injury.
- P Matt Garza is on the 15-day DL with radial nerve irritation and will be re-evaluated on or about April 22.
- OF Cliff Floyd will probably would be out for 4-to-6 weeks with a knee injury.
- P Scott Kazmir is on the 15-day DL with an elbow injury. On Friday he threw 46 pitches during his second batting practice session.
- OF Rocco Baldelli is on the 60-day DL with a mitochondrial disorder.