The New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays wrap up their three-game series in Tampa Bay on Sunday afternoon. The Yankees still have the lead in the AL East but are now being pursued by both the Rays and Blue Jays, both within at least six games of the Bronx Bombers with a month to go in the season. On the mound on Sunday will be right-hander Frankie Montas (4-11, 4.94) of the Yankees while the Rays will likely make this a bullpen game. Look for lefty Ryan Yarbrough (1-8. 4.97) to give the Rays the most innings. First pitch is scheduled for 1:40pm EST.
The New York Yankees offense, once the best in baseball, has seemingly left the building since the all-star break. The team has battled through some injuries and has watched teams like the Rays and Blue Jays close what was once thought to be an insurmountable gap. On Friday night, the Yankees offense disappeared yet again in a 9-0 loss to open the series. The loss pulled the Rays within five game of New York. On Saturday, the Yankees offense came up short yet again. The Bombers lost 2-1 averting a shutout thanks to a 9th inning home run from Aaron Judge.
Friday Night at the Trop. #RepBX
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— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 2, 2022
The Yankees are hitting just .224 since the all-star break and, after hitting home runs at a near-record pace in the first half, have hit 48 in the 40 games since the break. The Yankees have gone just 15-25 since that time. On the mound for the Yankees on Sunday will be newcomer Frankie Montas. Montas has struggled since coming over to the Yankees from Oakland at the trade deadline. He is 0-2 with an ERA of 7.71 in his five starts with the Yankees. He has pitched well against the Rays this season, going 1-0 in two starts with an ERA of 0.68.