Damon: Yankees Have Better Chance Against Rays

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Tuesday's Game 5 ALDS match up between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Texas Rangers has Yankee fans debating - which team would offer the Bombers an easier path to the World Series?

Ex-Yankee Johnny Damon has his opinion. Damon told the NY Post Sunday that his former teammates should be rooting for the Rays Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.

"I think New York has a better chance of beating Tampa Bay," Damon said. "Tampa's starting pitching down the stretch was not as sharp. New York played Texas a month ago and got swept."

Tampa Bay forced a deciding Game 5 in the division series against the Texas Rangers with a 5-2 victory Sunday. The Rays avoided elimination twice on the road after losing the first two at Tropicana Field, setting up the chance for an improbable comeback.

The winner hosts the wild-card Yankees in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series Friday night. New York swept Minnesota in three games, wrapping up that series with a 6-1 win Saturday night.