The New York Yankees have been rained out on July 17th against the Tampa Bay Rays. Because this is the final time that the Rays come to New York this season, the game will be made up in a single-admission doubleheader on Thursday.
However, rain is still in the forecast for Thursday. The chances of rain are slightly less in the afternoon, so the first game will begin at 3:05PM with game two estimated to begin at 7:05PM. Game two start time will be pushed back if game one ends later than 6:35PM. The grounds crew will need about a half hour to do maintenance on the field.
Wednesday’s planned starter and eleven game winner Domingo German will get the ball in game one, while game two will be a bullpen game. JA Happ was scheduled to pitch on Thursday, but will be pushed back a day to the beginning of the Colorado series.
The Rays will stick to the same plan as before. Yonny Chirinos gets the ball in game one while all-star Charlie Morton will get the ball in game two.
Chance Adams will likely be the Yankees 26th man for the day. He was scheduled to start on Thursday for AAA Scranton, meaning that he would be on full rest. If they do indeed use him as the 26th man, he could see a few innings in relief of Chad Green in the bullpen game.
This doubleheader includes two of the biggest games of the year. A sweep for the Yankees extends their lead by two, but if they lose both then Tampa is back right on the Yankees tails. The Yankees can’t afford to lose or even split the day.