The New York Yankees (79-52, 58-73 RL, 60-67-4 O/U) collide with the Tampa Bay Rays (72-57, 63-66 RL, 59-60-10 O/U) in the second of a three-game divisional series on Saturday afternoon. The Yankees will have Clarke Schmidt on the bump. The Rays will send Corey Kluber to the mound . The Yankees lead the season series 8-5.
The Yankees will have Clarke Schmidt on the hill in this game. Schmidt wasn’t able to find a groove last time out, conceding four runs in 4.1 innings against the Athletics, and was tagged with the loss to dip to 5-3 on the season. The young right-hander has pitched mainly out of the bullpen this season and has been effective, posting a 2.89 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP in 37.1 innings of work. Schmidt has limited the Rays to one run in 5.2 innings this season.
The Bronx Bombers resume a lengthy 10-game road trip. They are scuffling, going 3-4 on the trek after they were dealt two defeats in three meetings against the Angels. They have yet to secure the AL East as the Rays are now only six games back, making this a big series.
Anthony Rizzo had a very quiet month of August and the Yankees will need more from the veteran slugger. The 33-year-old first baseman only had nine RBIs last month and has 30 homers with 71 RBIs and an .832 OPS on the year. Rizzo has accrued six RBIs and a .650 OPS against the Rays.
The Yankees are averaging 4.98 runs, ranking them second. The pitching staff is carrying a 3.30 team ERA, good for third in the Major Leagues.