Yankees @ Rays

Monday, July 27 Tropicana Field | 7:08 PM ET

Probably Pitchers

A.J. Burnett, RHP (9-4, 3.74) Yankees (60-38)

James Shields, RHP (6-6, 3.70) Rays (54-45)


Scouting Report:

Yankees: Burnett rattled off another impressive outing on Wednesday, allowing two runs in seven innings against the Orioles and picking up the win in the Yankees' 6-4 victory. Ever since his disappointing 2 2/3-inning performance in Boston on June 9, he has been nothing short of dominant. The right-hander is 5-1 with a stingy 1.82 ERA in his last six starts.

Rays: Shields threw his 13th quality start in 21 outings this season on Wednesday against the White Sox, but, as has been the case for much of the season, his team couldn't pull out a win in his start. The Rays are now 10-11 when Shields starts, even though Shields boasts a respectable 3.70 ERA. Shields lasted 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks. But he walked his final batter of the game on his 111th pitch in the seventh inning, and the bullpen couldn't hang on. Lifetime against the Yankees, Shields is 1-6 with a 5.73 ERA in eight career starts.


Tuesday, July 28 Tropicana Field | 7:08 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

CC Sabathia, LHP (10-6, 3.67) Yankees (60-38)

Scott Kazmir, LHP (4-6, 6.69) Rays (54-45)


Scouting Report:

Yankees: Sabathia looks for his third straight victory as the Yankees play the second game of a three-game series at Tropicana Field. Sabathia defeated the A's his last time out, on July 23 in New York, hurling seven innings of three-run ball in the Yankees' 6-3 victory. He is facing Tampa Bay for the second time as a Yankee, having logged a no-decision on June 6 in New York after allowing five runs (four earned) in eight innings.

Rays: In his last outing, Kazmir was the unfortunate opposing pitcher in a 5-0 loss against the White Sox in which Mark Buehrle tossed a perfect game. Kazmir said he experienced a slight tightness in his forearm in that start, although far less than when he was forced to leave the game two starts ago in Kansas City. He served up one big mistake pitch against the White Sox, a grand slam to Josh Fields that sunk the Rays. Aside from that, Kazmir battled quite well. He lasted six innings, allowing five runs on five hits while striking out five and walking three. Kazmir is 5-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) for his career against the Yankees.



Wednesday, July 29 Tropicana Field | 7:08 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

Joba Chamberlain, RHP (6-2, 3.86) Yankees (60-38)

Matt Garza, RHP (7-7, 3.68) Rays (54-45)


Scouting Report:

Yankees: Chamberlain looks for his third straight victory and hopes to remain undefeated in his past six starts as the Yankees play the final game of a three-game series at Tropicana Field. Chamberlain beat the A's on July 24 in New York with seven innings of one-run, two-hit ball, walking three and striking out six. He faced the Rays on June 7 and took a no-decision, allowing three runs on five hits over six innings in the Yankees' 4-3 win.

Rays: Garza had his "A" game Friday night against the Blue Jays when he matched up with Roy Halladay and came away with his seventh win of the season after allowing just two runs in nine innings. The 25-year-old right-hander has the best stuff on the staff, but he has struggled with consistency. He needs to find a way to harness his stuff since on many occasions it is so electric that it misses the strike zone. Garza is 1-2 with a 3.79 ERA in seven career appearances against the Yankees; he is 11-6 with a 3.09 ERA in 25 career starts at Tropicana Field.