PA SPORTSTICKER AL PREVIEW
  (NY YANKEES-TAMPA BAY)



*Streaking Rays open four-game set with Yankees*
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NY Yankees (19-19) at Tampa Bay (21-16)             7:10 pm EDT


ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) - The Tampa Bay Rays look to
improve on the best start in franchise history when they host
the New York Yankees in the opener of a four-game series Monday.


The Rays have won nine straight home games and are five games
above .500 for the first time in franchise history.


Tampa has also won four straight games overall after completing
a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim over the
weekend.


The Rays look to continue their momentum when they send Matt
Garza (1-1, 4.91 ERA) to the mound.


Despite suffering the loss on Wednesday, the righthander is
coming off his best start of the season, allowing just one run
in 6 2/3 innings during a 6-2 loss at Toronto.


The Yankees split a pair of games in Detroit over the weekend
before rain postponed the series finale on Sunday.


Andy Pettitte (3-3, 3.77) looks to get New York back over .500
when he takes the hill against Tampa Bay.


The veteran lefthander has not earned the win in any of his last
three starts, picking up a no-decision in New York's 5-3 loss
to Cleveland last Tuesday.  The 35-year-old gave up two runs in
6 1/3 innings.


Pettitte has a 14-3 career record against the Rays but is 1-1
against them in two starts this season.