AP Sports Preview Yankees at Rays TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays open a critical four-game series Monday night at George Steinbrenner Field, with the first-place Rays looking to extend their lead in the American League East. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures around 89 degrees. Tampa Bay (52-35) holds a three-game lead over the Yankees (49-40) in the division standings. The Rays have won four of five meetings between the clubs this season, including two of three in New York in late May. Both teams enter the series on opposite trajectories. Tampa Bay won five of its last six games before a 2-0 loss Sunday at Houston. The Yankees lost four of their last five, capped by Sunday’s 6-1 defeat to Minnesota. Players to watch For the Yankees, right-hander Jake Bird has been effective in recent relief appearances despite the team’s struggles. Bird allowed no earned runs in five of his last six outings, totaling 6 2/3 innings with four strikeouts over that span. He threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings Sunday against the Twins. Tampa Bay right-hander Mason Englert has been sharp in limited action. Englert worked 5 2/3 innings in a loss at Houston on Sunday, allowing two earned runs with nine strikeouts. In his previous start June 12 at the Los Angeles Angels, he tossed four scoreless innings. Series history The Rays have taken four of five meetings this season, including a three-game sweep in New York from April 10-12. Tampa Bay also won two of three at Yankee Stadium from May 22-24. Betting lines The Yankees opened as minus-1.5 favorites on the run line, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under for total runs is 7.5. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-2 Tampa Bay win. What’s at stake A series win would give Tampa Bay significant breathing room in the division race heading into the All-Star break. The Yankees have lost 13 of their last 19 games, sliding from first place to third in the AL East behind Baltimore. The teams continue the series Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, before the Yankees travel to Washington and the Rays host Seattle over the weekend.