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Rays Vs. Yankees Game Preview: David Price Tries To Break Three-Game Slide

The Tampa Bay Rays begin a crucial three-game set with the New York Yankees on Friday night. David Price will be on the mound against C.C. Sabathia.

TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 02: David Price #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers a pitch during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 2, 2012 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 02: David Price #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers a pitch during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 2, 2012 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
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The Tampa Bay Rays will look to break a three-game losing streak and get back in the playoff race as they face the division-leading New York Yankees on Friday night. The Rays will open a home series with the Yankees at 7:05 p.m. when David Price takes the mound against CC Sabathia in a battle of aces.

Price is 17-5 with a 2.54 ERA on the year. He went 6.2 innings, giving up two runs, in winning his last start against the Toronto Blue Jays. Price last faced the Yankees on July 4, going seven innings while giving up just one run on four hits with eight strikeouts.

Sabathia is 13-5 with a 3.56 ERA in 24 starts. The big left-hander struggled in his last start, giving up five runs on eight hits in a loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Sabathia faced the Rays just 11 days ago on Sept. 3, going seven innings and allowing three runs.

The Yankees come into Friday tied with the Orioles for the division lead and the final Wild Card playoff spot. The Rays are four back of both the teams, and have an opportunity to gain ground in a hurry against New York this weekend.

For more on the Rays, check out Rays blog DRaysBay and stick with SB Nation Tampa Bay. For the Yankees, head to Yankees blog Pinstriped Bible and SB Nation New York.

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Photographs by cstreet.us, thelastminute, turtlemom nancy , fesek, kthypryn, justinwright, sue_elias, pointnshoot, and scrapstothefuture used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.