Tonight at 7:10 p.m. ET the New York Yankees (9-6) will head south after a lengthy homestand to take on the Tampa Bay Rays (7-8) at Tropicana Field for the first game of a three-game set. Live stream the game by clicking this link. Yankees fans can find the radio broadcast on 101.9 WFAN FM, while Rays fans may do the same at 620 WDAE. The Rays will have ace David Price (2-0, 2.91 ERA) on the mound, while the Yankees will counter with CC Sabathia (1-2, 6.63 ERA).
The Rays are dealing with myriad injuries to their pitching staff, with three hurlers from the Opening Day rotation on the DL and one of them out for the season with Tommy John surgery looming. That means Price will be leaned on more than ever to carry the load.
"You can't go out there and add extra pressure, knowing that a couple of our other staff members have gone down right now, or whether or not we have kind of a light bullpen," Price said. "You definitely know the situation at hand. I don't think applying added pressure to yourself does you any favors."
His opponent has a different kind of pressure on his shoulders-the burden of proving his days as an ace haven't passed. After suffering through the most trying year of his career in 2013, Sabathia has been susceptible to the long ball again this season. He's coughed up five long balls in just three starts, but there is hope.
His control has been impressive, issuing just three walks to 21 strikeouts. He faces a scuffling Rays club that is hitting a weak .191 over the last nine games. "It's been tough," manager Joe Maddon said. "We're seeing pitches, working good at-bats, hits are not forthcoming."
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