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Tonight, Matt Andriese and the Rays look to conclude a three-game set with a win before heading to Boston for a weekend series.
The Yankees have won the first two games of the series with the Yankees taking the opener - courtesy of a brilliant outing by Michael Pineda - and game #2 via some timely hitting and mistakes by the Rays in the field.
The game will be televised on Fox Sports Sun. First pitch is set for 6:10 PM ET.
Starting Pitchers
Matt Andriese
The right-hander didn’t have a particularly memorable performance in his first start of the season, allowing four runs on seven hits through four innings. Most of the damage was inflicted by Troy Tulowitzki, who tagged him for a two-run double in the first and solo home run in the fourth.
If Andriese is to have success today, he will need to have better command. Against Toronto, he threw 85 pitches and only got 54 of them into the strike zone.
Luis Severino
This will be the Rays first look at Luis Severino as a starter. In 2015, he had success in two starts against Tampa - allowing one run in each over 5.2 and 6.1 innings, respectively. He spent most of the second half of 2016 in the bullpen, but won a rotation spot this spring.
The righty underwhelmed in his first start of the season, surrendering four runs on six hits (including a home run) over five innings.
Severino has struggled against right-handed bats, who have posted a .232 ISO against the righty. With more success against left-handed bats, his ISO drops nearly .100. If the Rays left-handed heavy lineup can find success against Severino and his changeup-lead arsenal, it will bold very well for their chances at a win.
Additionally, hitters slash to the tune of .284/.391/.446 with runners in scoring position against Severino - an area he struggled in during the 2016 season (as a reliever). That being said, the Rays need to find a way to get runners in scoring position so they can take advantage tonight.