Yankees at Rays

The Yankees begin a 3 game series in Tampa tonight at 7:10 on YES. This is also the start of a 9 game 3 city roadtrip that will see them go to Chicago and Toronto next. The Yankees have the second best road record in the league behind Anaheim so the road doesn't really intimidate them. Here are the pregame notes and lineup via Peter Abraham of the Journal News. The Dodgers have the best record in baseball but the Yankees are only 2 games behind them with the 2nd best record. The Yankees are 4-4 against the Rays this year. The Yankees have won 8 of their last 9 series. They have won 22 series this season which is only 2 less then they won all of last season. MO in his last 16 innings has given up 0 runs on 4 hits with 1 walk and 15 strikeouts and Phil Hughes has given up 11 hits with 0 runs, 4 walks and 25 strikeouts. A.J. Burnett has a 1.93 era in his last 7 games. Opponents are hitting 208 against him. Derek Jeter is 6 of his last 13 with 6 rbi's. Big Tex is 6 of 16 with 5 rbi's and 4 xbh. Jorge Posada is 7 of 17 with 5 runs scored, 5 rbi's and 4 xbh. Melky Cabrera is 5 of 8 with three runs scored and 4 walks. Cody Ransom is3 of 7 with 3 doubles and 3 runs scored. A-rod turns 34 today, Happy Birthday to him. Yankees lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Matsui(DH) Posada(C) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF)