Michael Smith
The Tampa Bay Rays (25-11) finish a three-game set at Yankee Stadium looking to build their lead over the Pinstripes (19-14). After winning on Monday, 5-3, Tampa Bay now leads the Yankees by 4 ½ games. Winners of eight of their last ten, the Rays are one of a handful of teams that has remained lucky with respect to the injury bug while also getting the most out of their roster.
As the series winds down, what can we expect to see on Wednesday night?
MLB Games: September 2
Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees Preview
Game Details
Wednesday, September 2, 2020, 7:05 pm ET
Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, NY
Probable Pitchers for the Game
Charlie Morton (1-1, 5.40 ERA) (TB)
Jordan Montgomery (2-1, 4.44 ERA) (NY)
Charlie Morton got shelled in his first outing, giving up six runs on seven hits over four innings in a 6-4 loss to Toronto. However, since then, in starts against the Braves, Red Sox and Yankees, he gave up just four earned runs on 14 hits in 12 ⅔ combined innings, striking 13 while walking just three. However, he left that start against the Yankees after just two innings with right shoulder inflammation and now comes off the Injured List, where he has been since August 9. So you could anticipate some rust on the Rays’ hurler.
Even so, Tampa Bay has gone 19-3 over their last 22 contests. They mostly stood pat at the trade deadline on Monday, just sending a left-handed bat (Jose Martinez) to the Cubs in exchange for a pair of players to be named later. In that case, the Rays were dealing with having too many players who can fill the outfielder/DH slot. Their team ERA of 3.73 is sixth in MLB, a solid number especially this season, with so many pitchers hurt all over the sport.
The Yankees?
Jordan Montgomery is building durability as a starter; in four of his last five starts, he has made into the sixth inning. Over his last three outings, against the Braves, Red Sox and Mets, he has permitted six earned runs on 12 hits (including a home run) over 14 ⅔ combined innings. He has struck out 14 while walking just one. Reducing the number of home runs permitted was key to his improvement, and he’s not seeing more walks. This means that he’s finding the corners with his pitches and getting better results.
Despite the number of injuries the Yankees have suffered, putting a huge dent in their white-hot start to the short 2020 season, the front office went and got absolutely nobody to help out. That means that Luke Voit is basically carrying the offense until the likes of Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres can get off the Injured List — and until catcher Gary Sanchez, kept largely for his bat, stops hitting .128. For now, the Yankees are living off their hot start, and if they don’t start hitting, they will even slide out of the generous postseason available this year, with 16 slots available to the 30 teams in MLB.
Final Score and Prediction
I’m not sure I see Morton coming right out of the gate after his extended layoff mowing down the Yankee bats. However, the Rays have the hitters to get to Montgomery, and they have the bullpen to make a lead stand up. I see Tampa Bay winning, 6-4 — which means that if you can get a run total in single figures, I’d look hard at taking the “over.”
