Burnett vs. Rays--and himself?

Tonight is the biggest game of the season for the Yankees and Rays. 

A victory for the Yanks would give them them a 3 1/2 game lead in the AL East and position them to deliver a veritable knock-out punch in the division when 20-game winner CC Sabathia takes the mound tomorrow.

If the Rays win, they are just a victory away from leaving Yankee Stadium no worse than when they arrived, a half-game behind the Yankees. 

So, the Yanks turn to A.J. Burnett (10-13, 5.08) to get it done. Therein lies the problem.  

Burnett and the Yankees are trying to draw inspiration out of his last start, a seven-inning three run performance against Baltimore. The only pressure in that game was self-inflicted, which is the operative term with Burnett. He hurt the Yankees--and himself--on Oldtimers Day when he bombed out against the Rays and injured himself in disgust by slamming a clubhouse door and causing cuts to his arms.  

Last week, Burnett showed up in Baltimore with a black eye and apparently hasn't even told his employer how it was sustained. Educated guess is a fight and, given his history, perhaps it was with himself. 

That is your big game pitcher for tonight.  Wade Davis (12-9, 4.19) starts for the Rays. 

Advantage: Rays.