There might not be a more perfect pitcher than Jeremy Hellickson to take the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays as they fight for their postseason lives against the New York Yankees on Tuesday. The Rookie of the Year candidate has been outstanding for the Rays down the stretch.

Since entering the month trailing the Boston Red Sox by nine games in the Wild Card race, the Rays have gone 15-10 to pull even in the race with just two games left to play. Hellickson, too, has picked up his play as the season has worn on. He has gone 2-0 in four September starts, including a no-decision in his last start in which he held the Yankees to two runs over seven innings at Yankee Stadium.

He'll be opposed by Bartolo Colon, who has faded significantly down the stretch. Colon has allowed 11 runs over his past two starts and has allowed four or more runs in five of his past seven starts. Still, Yankees manager Joe Girardi promises that he'll be playing to win these games, even though their playoff spot is all locked up.

Pitchers
Yankees: Bartolo Colon (8-10, 4.02 ERA)
Rays: Jeremy Hellickson (13-10, 2.90 ERA)

Game time: Tuesday, 7:10 p.m.

TV/Radio
Yankees: YES Network, WCBS 880, WADA 1280
Rays: Sun Sports HD, WDAE 620, WGEST 680