Hughes starts in pivotal game vs. Rays

Phil Hughes (16-8, 4.31), tonight's starter against the Rays, has at times pitched like a 16-game loser.   

Hughes had 10 days off between starts when he faced the Rays last week and gave up four runs in 6 2/3 innings. That's another subpar outing. 

Hughes' mound opponent,  James Shields (13-12, 4.86),  seems to save his best performances for the Yankees. He gave up a run and struck out eight in 6 1/3 innings in his last outing.

In August, Shields struck out 11 at the Stadium. He is 2-0 against the Yanks this season. Hughes is 0-2.

This is the key to the four-game series. If the Yankees win, they go up by 2 1/2 games over the Rays and just need a split in the next two to create some breathing room. 

A loss tonight sets up the possibility of a four-game split, meaning nothing will have been achieved in the standings by either team. But the Yankees face six of the remaining nine games on the road against still hungry Toronto and disappointed Boston. The Rays have three games against Seattle and Baltimore at home before ending the regular season with four games in Kansas City. 

Who prevails this evening?  Hughes remains a question mark and if he does not provide some length, a tired bullpen comes into play. If Shields doesn't have it, the Rays have a solid and well rested pen with Joaquin Benoit and closer Rafael Soriano. The Rays know how much they need this game. The edge goes to Tampa Bay.