AP Sports Preview N.Y. Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — The Tampa Bay Rays look to complete a four-game sweep of the New York Yankees on Thursday evening at George Steinbrenner Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. under a forecast of 92-degree heat and rain. Tampa Bay (54-36) enters with the best record in the American League East, holding a four-game lead over the second-place Yankees (50-42). The Rays have won the first two games of this series, including a 3-0 shutout Wednesday. Pitching matchup The game features a marquee pitching duel between two aces. Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (0-3, 3.94 ERA in his last four starts) is seeking his first victory since June 16. He lasted 6 1/3 innings Wednesday in a losing effort, allowing three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts. Cole has struggled against the Rays this season, posting an 0-2 record and a 4.35 ERA in three starts. Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (2-0, 0.00 ERA in his last two starts) has been dominant. He tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings Wednesday against the Yankees, allowing four hits with five strikeouts. McClanahan has not allowed a run in his past 12 1/3 innings and owns a 2.31 ERA against New York this season. Head-to-head The Rays have won six of eight meetings this season, including the last two by a combined 9-4 margin. New York’s only win in this series came Monday, a 5-1 victory. What to watch The Yankees are looking to avoid their fourth straight loss after dropping the final two games of a home series against Minnesota last weekend. New York has lost seven of its past 10 games overall. Tampa Bay has won four of its past five games and is 7-3 in its last 10. Projection Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-2 Rays victory. Up next The Yankees travel to Washington for a three-game series beginning Friday. Tampa Bay hosts Seattle for three games starting Friday.