The New York Yankees (97-63) and Tampa Bay Rays (89-71) have more to battle for then just a baseball victory. In Game Two of a three-game set in Florida, the Rays are literally fighting for their playoff lives-trying to take over sole postseason of the AL Wild Card lead with their third victory over the Bombers.

New York is looking to determine who their playoff opponents’ will be, and set themselves up with a favorable match-up. Taking the hill for the Bombers is Bartolo Colon (8-10, 4.02 ERA) who is vying for a spot in playoff rotation for the Yankees.

Colon allowed seven runs, five earned-in three innings of a 15-8 loss to the Rays on Thursday, and now holds a 0-4 record with a 5.58 ERA in nine starts since beating Baltimore on July 30.

Tampa sends out starter Jeremy Hillocks (13-10, 2.90 ERA) who faces the Bombers in his second time in as many starts. Holding good numbers against the Rays hurler is Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano who is 5-for-9 with two doubles and two homers.

Written on September 27, 2011