Yankees vs. Rays: 5 things to watch and series predictions | July 19th to 22nd

Here are five things to watch and predictions like the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays play a four-game series at Yankees Stadium starting Friday night…

Preview

Keeping the good vibes ‘relative’

The Yankees were in a tough spot entering their weekend series with the Orioles before the All-Star break, but New York has taken two of three of its AL East rivals and is now just one game behind Baltimore. However, that terrible loss in the final game not only prevented the sweep, but also dampened the overall good vibes surrounding the team.

If New York were to win or lose in less painful fashion, the Yankees could enter the unofficial second half of the season with their heads held high, but now they will need to put together another good series to feel like the bottom isn’t pulled out from under them.

It’s hard to win a four-game series, but the Yankees are better than Tampa and should win three games this weekend.

Deadline trades?

The Yankees will try to improve their roster by the July 30 deadline and Tampa (48-48) could try to sell.

Andy Martino of SNY reported earlier this week that the Rays will at least listen to the infielder Isaac Paredes and that some Yankees looked for a reliever Garrett Cleaveser. The Rays have a lot of pieces that the Yankees could use, so with Tampa in town, perhaps negotiations could begin or even escalate.

He can clay holmes get back on track?

Closers need to have a short memory and Holmes will need that after the loss to the Orioles last Sunday.

While much of the blame – and rightly so – has been directed at Antonio Volpe It is Alex Verdugo for his defensive errors, Holmes did himself no favors by giving up two walks and two hits in that ninth inning.

In his last five appearances, Holmes has given up five runs (two earned), four hits and two walks in five innings worked. He also missed two save opportunities in that period.

Holmes, despite all his flaws, had a solid season for the Yankees and was named an All-Star. The Yankees will need to be closer to great if they want to go far this year and this four-game series will be a good test.

And with the Yankees in the market for bullpen help, Holmes could cement himself as the closer with a strong performance.

He can Antonio Volpe change things?

Volpe was a big part of last Sunday’s loss, but his sophomore season has seen major regression from the shortstop.

While he’s improved in some overall metrics — namely batting average — his power numbers have dropped and he’s struggled mightily lately. Since June 6, Volpe’s .171 average is third-worst among players with at least 100 plate appearances, and he has the sixth-worst WAR.

In his last seven games, Volpe is 3-for-25 (.120) with two walks and three strikeouts.

Volpe is a better hitter at home this season (.258/.316/.698), so seeing how he hits this weekend after a much-needed break is key.

Can Nestor Cortes backup social posts?

During the All-Star break, Cortes took to social media to post a seemingly spontaneous message to those who “talk bad” about the Yankees.

“Everyone talks bad about the Yankees, but they want to be us”, Cortes he wrote Tuesday. “It’s a privilege to wear stripes. Every year we’re in contention. I’m blessed to be able to compete for a playoff spot and always be a contender in the end.”

The Yankees lefty is frustrated like many fans because the team slumped in June, but he hasn’t been helping matters lately.

In his last seven starts, Cortes is 1-4 with a 4.05 ERA. In his last game, against the Rays in Florida, the left-hander gave up five runs in 4.1 innings.

Cortes is the starting starter on Saturday and could help the Yankees get off to a great start this season with a big game. Luckily for him and the team, Cortes is playing at home, where he is much better.

At home, Cortes is 4-3 with a 1.81 ERA with 65 strikeouts in 64.2 innings. On the road, the 28-year-old is 0-5 with a 6.04 ERA with just 45 strikeouts in 50.1 innings.

Predictions

Who will be the series MVP?

Ben Rice.

The last time Rice was home was in that Red Sox series where he hit three home runs in one game. After a rough stretch on the road, the rookie threw a go-ahead bomb against the Orioles that was wasted so he could get out of it.

Coming home to his fans and that little porch could do wonders for him. It doesn’t hurt that the Rays use four right-handed starters this weekend.

Which Yankees pitcher will have the best start?

Nestor Cortes.

Yes, it’s cliché to have Cortes turn off the lights after his social media post, but it can motivate him to do well. And it’s hard to ignore these numbers at home.

Which Rays player will be a thorn in the side of the Yankees?

Yandy Diaz.

Tampa’s leadoff hitter has been great this year and the last time they faced the Yankees, he had at least one hit in every game. Getting him out of there will be a pain all weekend.