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Yankees-Rays Preview

Aug 1, 2010 - 4:10 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

New York (65-37) at Tampa Bay (64-38), 1:40 p.m. EDT

The New York Yankees made the more significant additions to their roster before Saturday's trade deadline, but there still isn't much separating the reigning World Series champions from the Tampa Bay Rays.

The top two teams in the majors have each claimed a one-run victory at Tropicana Field this weekend, and they'll decide their series Sunday with a matchup of opening day starters on the mound.

After the Rays (64-39) won 3-2 on Friday night, New York (66-37) increased its AL East lead to two games over Tampa Bay with Saturday's 5-4 victory.

The Yankees are hoping to pull away after adding Lance Berkman, Austin Kearns and Kerry Wood in a series of deadline deals.

"I think the upside is very good for us. I don't think there's a risk," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "Obviously we have to go out and play well in a very high level and continue to win. I like the moves we made."

While Berkman went 0 for 4 in his Yankee debut, a familiar contributor sparked New York in Saturday's win. Robinson Cano doubled twice and hit a tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning, his third homer in his last four games.

"He's one of the best hitters in the league right now," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira also homered, but Alex Rodriguez went 0 for 3 as his wait for home run No. 600 continues. The three-time MVP is 8 for 36 (.222) with no homers in his last nine games since hitting No. 599 against Kansas City on July 22.

"The way I'm swinging, it's probably going to take a while," Rodriguez said. "Everybody get comfortable."

Rodriguez has gone 5 for 23 (.217) with one homer against James Shields, who will be looking to win his third consecutive start for Tampa Bay.

Shields (9-9, 4.79 ERA) posted a 7.83 ERA in his final eight starts before the All-Star break, but he's 2-0 with a 4.26 ERA in three second-half outings as he tries to regain his form.

The right-hander, who's winless in five career home starts against the Yankees, beat Detroit ace Justin Verlander at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, striking out seven in 6 2-3 innings of a 3-2 victory.

He'll encounter another ace Sunday as CC Sabathia takes the ball for New York. The big left-hander came within four outs of a no-hitter during a 10-0 victory April 10 the last time he visited St. Petersburg.

Sabathia (13-4, 3.15) had won nine consecutive decisions before losing at Cleveland on Tuesday, allowing four runs - two earned - in seven innings of the 4-1 defeat.

Pitching on the first day of his favorite month may help Sabathia bounce back. He's 33-9 throughout his career in August, including 10-0 over the last two seasons.

Another win would give the Rays their first back-to-back defeats since June 27 and 29. Tampa Bay had won seven straight before Saturday's loss, and finished July with a 19-7 record - tied with the Yankees for the majors' best.

Reliever Chad Qualls was the only addition the Rays made before the trade deadline, but the club feels comfortable with a 5 1/2-game lead in the AL wild-card chase.

"From our perspective, we're good right now. We're playing well," Maddon said. "We did try to do some different things we thought could help us without interfering with what was going on. It did not want to happen, so your just turn the page and move on."

Tampa Bay may have to move on temporarily without first baseman Carlos Pena, who is day to day with a foot injury.