Trending in opposite directions over the past two weeks, the top two teams in the American League East — the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees, respectively — will meet in a key four-game series that begins Monday night in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The Rays enter with a four-game lead over their rival, and the division frontrunners feature four All-Star selections for the July 14 contest in Philadelphia — red-hot Junior Caminero, starter Drew Rasmussen, closer Bryan Baker and leadoff hitter Yandy Diaz.
Caminero, who turned 23 on Sunday, became the youngest Tampa Bay player to win AL Player of the Month in June, while right-hander Rasmussen was AL Pitcher of the Month.
The third baseman got hot and batted .327 in June with four doubles, 10 home runs, 24 RBIs, 13 walks and 19 runs.
His 10 blasts set a June club record.
“It’s kind of like must-see TV with his at-bats right now,” manager Kevin Cash said of Caminero, who has homered 11 times in 12 games. “He’s coming up ready to go, and whether it’s a fastball or an off-speed pitch, he’s got an answer.”
Starting on June 24, the Rays notched nine straight victories before dropping the final two at the Houston Astros, including Sunday’s 2-0 shutout.
Converted reliever Griffin Jax (4-5, 3.45 ERA) will make his 13th start and look to continue pitching deeper into games after tossing a season-high six innings in a 10-4 win in Kansas City against the Royals on Tuesday.
In 10 career outings against the Yankees, all from the bullpen, the right-hander is 1-0 with a 4.38 ERA over 12 1/3 innings. New York has hit .250 against him.
The Yankees are floundering as they head south and try to trim the lead of Tampa Bay, which is a majors-best 31-12 at its Tropicana Field domed park.
Manager Aaron Boone’s squad lost again on Sunday afternoon at home, dropping two of three in its three-game series against a Minnesota Twins squad that had last secured a series win at Yankee Stadium in 2014.
New York managed just five hits in the game in falling to 3-12 in the past 15 games and being outscored 86-41.
“We’ve got guys struggling,” Boone said while brandishing Sunday’s lineup card. “We’ve got really good names on this card. Capable (ones). That’s why I feel a level of confidence walking into the yard every day. As we get going, I know there’s guys that are going to get turned around.
“What’s happening is we’ve got a handful of guys who are going through it a little bit and scuffling.”
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (right big toe discomfort) left Sunday’s game. His X-rays were negative, and the second baseman will be reevaluated Monday before the series opens.
Cam Schlittler (8-5, 2.08) will be tasked with getting his club on the right track in the quartet of important matchups.
The righty was 1-3 with a 3.38 ERA in six June starts and received the loss in his past two outings.
He is 0-2 with a 3.38 ERA in three career starts against the Rays, who beat him 5-4 at home on April 12.
Schlittler was named to the All-Star team along with injured outfielder Aaron Judge, outfielder Cody Bellinger and first baseman Ben Rice.
–Field Level Media
