NEW YORK, NY - JULY 17: Masahiro Tanaka #19 of the New York Yankees delivers a pitch in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on July 17, 2016 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The New York Yankees will play on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night, and here is what you need to know.
The New York Yankees (97-60, .618) are 2-0 in a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (87-70, .554) and head to Tropicana Field in Florida to clinch home-field advantage in the American League Wild Card game against the Oakland Athletics (95-63, .601).
Tuesday’s victory lowered the magic number to two for ensuring the wild-card game against Oakland will be played at Yankee Stadium. The A’s lost 10-8 in 11 innings on Tuesday to the Seattle Mariners (62-95, .548).
Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (12-5 with a 3.67 ERA) will open for the Yankees and face off against Rays pitcher Ryne Stanek (2-3 with a 2.70 ERA), with Yonny Chirinos getting the bulk of the work in relief.
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Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (27 HR, .268) is expected to see doctors Wednesday after suffering a torn right wrist cartilage while scoring the winning run in an 11-inning walk-off victory over the Baltimore Orioles (45-111, .288) last Saturday.
All-Star rookie second baseman Gleyber Torres (23 HR, .276) was scratched from the Yankees starting lineup Tuesday night with tightness in his groin, and is expected to miss just one game.
“I thought it was the smart thing to do,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He’ll be available. I don’t think it’s a big deal. He certainly felt like he could have played, but I think it’s the right thing to do.”
For the Rays, first baseman Ji-Man Choi (10 HR, .263) left the game with concussion-like symptoms and an ear laceration after a collision at home plate with Gary Sanchez (17 HR, .184). Choi was bloodied and needed stitches in his ear.
The Yankees eliminated the Rays from playoff contention after securing a spot in the American League Wild-Card game with their 3-2 victory over the Orioles last Saturday.
First pitch for Wednesday’s game at Tropicana Field will start at 7:10 p.m. EST and will air on YES, ESPN, WFAN, and WADO.
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