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First-place Rays make final visit to Yankee Stadium

Sep 13, 2008 - 12:56 PM Tampa Bay (87-57) at NY Yankees (77-69),(1ST GAME) 1:05 p.m. EDT

BRONX, New York (Ticker) - The New York Yankees begin their final homestand at storied Yankee Stadium when they take on the Tampa Bay Rays in the first game of a day-night doubleheader on Saturday.

New York, which is all but guaranteed of missing the postseason for the first time since 1993, had the start of its final 10-game homestand delayed when Friday's contest was postponed due to rain.

Following this series with the Rays, the Yankees will host the Chicago White Sox for four games and the Baltimore Orioles for three, likely ending their tenure in the "House that Ruth built."

Tampa Bay is making a rare visit to New York as the first-place team in the American League East. The Rays lead the Boston Red Sox (86-60) by two games in the division.

James Shields (12-8, 3.64 ERA) hopes to keep Tampa Bay's slim intact. The righthander will set a career high with his next victory but is 0-6 with a 6.86 ERA in seven career starts against New York.

The Yankees will counter with Mike Mussina (17-8, 3.48), who has pitched at least six innings in each of his last eight starts. The veteran righthander suffered his first loss since July 28 his last time out, giving up four runs over six frames to Seattle.

The Rays will receive a boost to their lineup in the first game as rookie third baseman Evan Longoria is set to return. Longoria has been out since August 11 with a right wrist fracture, but should be in the lineup in the afternoon contest of the doubleheader.

Tampa Bay could also get its first look at the top overall pick from 2007, David Price, who the club will call-up from Class AAA Durham on Saturday.

The lefthander is expected to be used out of the bullpen after he posted a 12-1 record with a 2.30 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 109 2/3 innings at three different minor-league levels in his first professional season.