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Burnett, Blue Jays open three-game set with Yankees

Aug 19, 2008 - 11:06 AM NY Yankees (66-58) at Toronto (64-60), 7:07 pm EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) -- A.J. Burnett is working toward becoming one of the top free-agent pitchers this upcoming offseason. But while he remains a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, he continues to dazzle the New York Yankees.

The righthander takes the mound Tuesday when the Blue Jays open a three-game set against the Yankees, who have lost twice to Burnett this season.

Burnett ( 15-9, 4.67 ERA) can opt out of his contract and become a free agent after the season. Meanwhile, his gaudy numbers bode well for him in regard to landing a big deal.

The 31-year-old has won a career-high 15 games and has notched 10 wins in each of his first two years in Toronto, after signing a five-year, $55 million deal with an opt-out clause after his third year. If he remains a Blue Jay, he will collect $12 million in each of the next two years.

In his two starts against New York this season, Burnett is 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA. He has won five games in a row and seven of his past eight, and with each solid start his market value as a potential free agent is rising.

Darrell Rasner (5-9, 5.18) counters for the Yankees looking for his second win since June 18. The righthander has been shuffled in and out of the starting rotation for most of the second half, and his struggles on the road are a main reason why.

Rasner is 2-6 with a 5.96 ERA in nine appearances - eight starts - away from Yankee Stadium. He surrendered four runs and nine hits in five pedestrian innings on July 12, earning the victory in his lone outing against the Blue Jays this season.

New York has won two in a row but remains 10 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East and 5 1/2 behind the Boston Red Sox for the wild card spot.