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Game 93: Opposites

July 13, 2018 by Mike Axisa Leave a Comment

Only three more games until the All-Star break. Each year it’s right around now that I start to feel like players are in survival mode. Just finish up these last few games, stay healthy, then enjoy the break and recharge the batteries. The Yankees have played eight games in the last seven days. I’m sure the guys are feeling it.

Anyway, there are two rookies on the mound tonight: Domingo German vs. Shane Bieber. German no-hit these Indians for six innings in his first career big league start a few weeks ago. Bieber is a top prospect — MLB.com ranks him as the game’s 90th best prospect — though it’s more of a command and pitchability profile than a blow-you-away profile. The opposite of German, basically. Here are tonight’s lineups:

New York Yankees
1. LF Brett Gardner
2. DH Aaron Judge
3. CF Aaron Hicks
4. RF Giancarlo Stanton
5. 1B Greg Bird
6. 3B Miguel Andujar
7. 2B Neil Walker
8. C Kyle Higashioka
9. SS Tyler Wade

RHP Domingo German

Cleveland Indians
1. SS Francisco Lindor
2. LF Michael Brantley
3. 3B Jose Ramirez
4. DH Edwin Encarnacion
5. 1B Yonder Alonso
6. 2B Jason Kipnis
7. RF Tyler Naquin
8. C Yan Gomes
9. CF Greg Allen

RHP Shane Bieber

Another very nice night in Cleveland. The Yankees have enjoyed some nice weather these last few days. Tonight’s game will begin at 7:10pm ET and you can watch on YES locally and MLB Network out of market. Enjoy the game.

Injury Update: Gary Sanchez (groin) will begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton on Sunday. He’s going to play seven innings Sunday, then travel with the team for their road trip to Toledo to continue the rehab assignment. Sounds like Gary will be back right after the All-Star break if all goes well … Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique, hip, foot, back) has not yet resumed baseball activities and there’s no timetable for his return. At this point, it seems unlikely he’ll be back before rosters expand on September 1st. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if Ellsbury is conveniently ready on September 1st.

All-Star Game Update: Aroldis Chapman withdrew from the All-Star Game to rest his achy left knee, he said today. He’s been replaced on the All-Star roster and is ineligible to play in the game, though he will be in Washington next week to take part in all the All-Star activities. Chapman is available to pitch this weekend.

Game 92: Ace vs Ace

July 12, 2018 by Mike Axisa Leave a Comment

A case can be made the two best pitchers in the league — the two best right-handed pitchers, at the very least — will square off tonight. It’s Luis Severino vs. Corey Kluber at Progressive Field. They didn’t face each other in the ALDS last year because of the whole Wild Card Game thing, but they will meet tonight. Can’t beat a pitching matchup like this.

The Yankees of course hammered Kluber in the ALDS last year — they had nine runs and 13 baserunners in 6.1 innings, including four homers — though don’t think that means they have his number. That was just baseball being baseball. Kluber is as good as it gets. The Yankees will have their hands full tonight. So will the Indians with Severino. Here are the starting lineups:

New York Yankees
1. LF Brett Gardner
2. RF Aaron Judge
3. SS Didi Gregorius
4. DH Giancarlo Stanton
5. CF Aaron Hicks
6. 1B Greg Bird
7. 3B Miguel Andujar
8. C Austin Romine
9. 2B Neil Walker

RHP Luis Severino

RHP Corey Kluber

It is a lovely night in Cleveland. Great weather for a ballgame. Tonight’s game will begin at 7:10pm ET and you can watch on YES locally and MLB Network out of market. Enjoy the game.

Injury Updates: Gary Sanchez (groin) is going through full workouts and is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment at some point this weekend … Gleyber Torres (hip) has resumed running and everything went well, so that’s good.

Game 90: Tanaka Returns

July 10, 2018 by Mike Axisa Leave a Comment

For the first time in a little more than four weeks, Masahiro Tanaka will take the mound in a big league game this evening. Tanaka’s been out since June 8th with mild strains of both hamstrings — he suffered a very Mets injury running the bases at Citi Field — but he’s healthy now and has completed his rehab assignment, and is ready to rejoin a rotation in need of reinforcement. Good Tanaka would be quite a boost.

Anyway, the Yankees have won five of their last seven games but dammit I’m still annoying by the first game of yesterday’s doubleheader. Winnable game right there for the taking. Bah. At least the Yankees blew the Orioles out in the second game of the doubleheader. That was fun. Please treat the 25-66 team like a 25-66 team again today. Here are tonight’s lineups:

New York Yankees
1. LF Brett Gardner
2. RF Aaron Judge
3. CF Aaron Hicks
4. DH Giancarlo Stanton
5. SS Didi Gregorius
6. 3B Miguel Andujar
7. 1B Greg Bird
8. C Austin Romine
9. 2B Neil Walker

RHP Masahiro Tanaka

Baltimore Orioles
1. 3B Tim Beckham
2. CF Adam Jones
3. SS Manny Machado
4. DH Mark Trumbo
5. 2B Jonathan Schoop
6. 1B Chris Davis
7. LF Trey Mancini
8. RF Joey Rickard
9. C Caleb Joseph

RHP Andrew Cashner

Hot and sunny in Baltimore but surprisingly not all that humid. Usually it gets so humid you stick to the seats at Camden Yards. Tonight’s game will begin at 7:05pm ET and you can watch on YES locally and MLB Network out of market. Enjoy the ballgame.

Injury Updates: Gary Sanchez (groin) has started running the bases, so he’s doing everything as he works his way back into game shape. Hitting, catching, throwing, running, the whole nine … Gleyber Torres (hip) played catch today. Pretty sure this is the first time he’s done any baseball activity since landing on the disabled list.

Roster Moves: As expected, Luis Cessa was sent down to Triple-A Scranton following last night’s game to clear a roster spot for Tanaka. Gio Gallegos also went back down since he was the 26th man … So long, David Hale. He cleared waivers and elected free agency. I suspect he will re-sign with the Yankees in short order. It would be the third time this year Hale has elected free agency and re-signed with the Yankees. No idea why he doesn’t just accept the outright assignment.

All-Star Game voting: Giancarlo Stanton is currently third in the Final Vote race behind Jean Segura and Andrew Benintendi. Stanton’s hitting .310/.377/.599 (163 wRC+) with eleven homers since June 1st, you know. Here’s the ballot. Voting ends Thursday.

Games 88 & 89: Let’s Play Two

July 9, 2018 by Mike Axisa Leave a Comment

Welcome to the final week of the first half. Because the weather was unkind to the Yankees earlier this season, they have to play eight games in seven days this week before enjoying the All-Star break. Today the Yankees have a single admission doubleheader against the Orioles. The two teams are making up their May 31st rainout today.

If you’re going to play four games in three days, might as well play them against the Orioles, who positively stink. They’re 24-65 and on pace for 118 losses, and they rank 29th in runs scored per game and 28th in runs allowed per game. Any team can beat any other team on any given day in this game though. Win the first game then focus on the second game. You’ve got to win the first one before you can think about a sweep. Here are the lineups for the first game of today’s doubleheader:

New York Yankees
1. CF Aaron Hicks
2. RF Aaron Judge
3. SS Didi Gregorius
4. DH Giancarlo Stanton
5. LF Clint Frazier
6. 1B Neil Walker
7. 3B Brandon Drury
8. C Kyle Higashioka
9. 2B Tyler Wade

LHP CC Sabathia

Baltimore Orioles
1. 3B Tim Beckham
2. CF Adam Jones
3. SS Manny Machado
4. DH Mark Trumbo
5. 2B Jonathan Schoop
6. RF Danny Valencia
7. LF Joey Rickard
8. 1B Trey Mancini
9. C Caleb Joseph

RHP Jimmy Yacabonis

Nice and sunny in Baltimore today. Going to have great weather all week. Much better than the last time the Yankees visited Camden Yards. The first game of today’s doubleheader will begin at 4:05pm ET and you can watch on YES. The second game will begin approximately 30 minutes after the first game ends and that one will be on YES as well. Enjoy the games.

Injury Update: Gary Sanchez (groin) went through agility drills again and will take batting practice on the field with the team this week. Aaron Boone said Sanchez could begin a minor league rehab stint in the coming days, though it sounds like Gary won’t return before the All-Star break. Bummer … Aroldis Chapman (knee) is available today, though I’d bet against him (or anyone) pitching in both games … the Yankees are sending one of their trainers to the All-Star Game with Gleyber Torres (hip) so he can continue his rehab work … Jonathan Loaisiga (shoulder) received a cortisone shot. An MRI revealed inflammation, no structural damage, but Johnny Lasagna is going to be down a few weeks. Sucks.

Roster Move: Welcome back, Gio Gallegos. He is the 26th man for today’s doubleheader. That means someone will have to go down after the first game so Luis Cessa, the second game starter, can be added to the roster. Drury or Frazier are good guesses. The Yankees can’t make Gallegos the 26th man for the first game and Cessa the 26th man for the second game. It doesn’t work like that. Someone’s going down and Cessa’s coming up, then Cessa will presumably go back down after the game so the Yankees can activate Masahiro Tanaka off the disabled list for tomorrow’s start. Got all that?

Update (7:36pm ET): The Yankees annoyingly dropped the first game of today’s doubleheader. The second game is going to start pretty much any minute now. Here are the lineups:

New York Yankees
1. CF Brett Gardner
2. DH Aaron Judge
3. SS Didi Gregorius
4. RF Giancarlo Stanton
5. 1B Greg Bird
6. 3B Miguel Andujar
7. LF Clint Frazier
8. C Austin Romine
9. 2B Neil Walker

RHP Luis Cessa

Baltimore Orioles
1. 3B Tim Beckham
2. 2B Jonathan Schoop
3. SS Manny Machado
4. DH Mark Trumbo
5. 1B Chris Davis
6. RF Danny Valencia
7. LF Jace Peterson
8. CF Joey Rickard
9. C Chance Cisco

RHP Yefry Ramirez

Roster Moves Part Deux: Drury was sent to Triple-A Scranton to clear a roster spot for Cessa, the Yankees say. I figured that was coming.

Game 86: Trade Target

July 7, 2018 by Mike Axisa Leave a Comment

So the Yankees need another starting pitcher. That has been true since the offseason and it is extra true now with Sonny Gray among the least effective starters in baseball. Masahiro Tanaka is coming back next week, so that’s good, but Jordan Montgomery is done for the year. The Yankees need at least one starter. Two would be cool.

One starter they’re said to be considering: J.A. Happ, who they’ll face this afternoon. Happ has a 4.03 ERA (3.64 FIP) on the season — it was a 3.62 ERA (3.58 FIP) before getting rocked last time out — and he’s faced the Yankees once this season. He couldn’t complete five innings against them on Opening Day, you may remember. Beat up on Happ, win the game, and drive down the trade price. Sounds good to me. Here are today’s lineups:

New York Yankees
1. LF Brett Gardner
2. RF Aaron Judge
3. DH Giancarlo Stanton
4. CF Aaron Hicks
5. 3B Miguel Andujar
6. SS Didi Gregorius
7. 2B Brandon Drury
8. C Kyle Higashioka
9. 1B Greg Bird

RHP Luis Severino

Toronto Blue Jays
1. LF Curtis Granderson
2. 2B Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
3. 3B Yangervis Solarte
4. 1B Justin Smoak
5. DH Kendrys Morales
6. CF Kevin Pillar
7. RF Randal Grichuk
8. C Luke Maile
9. SS Aledmys Diaz

LHP J.A. Happ

It is another spectacular day in Toronto, so the Rogers Centre roof will be open. This afternoon’s game will begin at 4:07pm ET and YES will have the broadcast. Enjoy the game.

Roster Move: Welcome back, Clint Frazier. He was called up today and David Hale was designated for assignment. Figured that was coming. Hale pitched too much last night. I suspect he’ll once again clear waivers and sign a new minor league contract with the Yankees. It would be the fourth time they’ve signed him this year.

Injury Updates: Gary Sanchez (groin) caught a bullpen session today and has done everything (catch, hit, throw, etc.) except run the bases, which he should be cleared to do soon. He could begin a minor league rehab assignment next week and it’s possible he’ll come off the disabled list before the All-Star break. That’d be sweet … Jonathan Loaisiga was placed on the Triple-A disabled list with shoulder inflammation, the team announced. That bites. He’s going for more tests. That rules Loaisiga out for a start in Monday’s doubleheader. Luis Cessa will start the second game instead.

Game 83: Can Domingo Toss A Scoreless First Inning?

July 3, 2018 by Mike Axisa Leave a Comment

That loss was annoying last night, but tonight the Yankees have a chance to get some payback, and improve upon their 107-win pace. They’ll have to do it with a short bullpen after Jonathan Loaisiga’s short start yesterday, and that’s just baseball. Sometimes you have to play with a short bullpen.

The goal tonight, aside from winning the game: Getting a scoreless first inning from Domingo German. He’s allowed a first inning run in four straight starts and five of his last six starts. Playing from behind is no fun. German has to fix those first inning issues. A scoreless top of the first, then let the offense take care of the rest. Here are the lineups:

New York Yankees
1. LF Brett Gardner
2. DH Aaron Judge
3. RF Giancarlo Stanton
4. CF Aaron Hicks
5. SS Didi Gregorius
6. 3B Miguel Andujar
7. 1B Brandon Drury
8. C Kyle Higashioka
9. 2B Neil Walker

RHP Domingo German

Atlanta Braves
1. CF Ender Inciarte
2. SS Ozzie Albies
3. 1B Freddie Freeman
4. RF Nick Markakis
5. DH Kurt Suzuki
6. LF Ronald Acuna Jr.
7. C Tyler Flowers
8. 3B Johan Camargo
9. SS Dansby Swanson

LHP Sean Newcomb

It rained for a bit this afternoon, though that has mostly cleared out and there shouldn’t be much trouble getting tonight’s game in. It is disgustingly hot and humid though. Yuck. Tonight’s game will begin at 7:05pm ET and you can watch on YES locally and MLB Network nationally.

Injury Updates: Gleyber Torres has a stiff hip flexor, which is why he’s out of the lineup. He is available tonight if necessary and it is not a major concern. With the off-day Thursday, it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Torres get tomorrow off too … Gary Sanchez (groin) is making throws from behind the plate. He’s doing all sorts of strength exercises as well, but has not yet been cleared to start running.

Game 81: Halfway Point

July 1, 2018 by Mike Axisa Leave a Comment

Already the halfway point of the season, eh? The season seems to fly by a little quicker with each passing season. I don’t know about you, but before the season I would’ve signed up for 53-27 with a plus-101 run differential through 80 games pretty quickly. The Yankees will be, at worst, on pace for 106 wins following today’s game, the true halfway point of the season.

Of course, it is rather annoying that the Red Sox are so good. The Yankees would have at least a three-game lead in every other division, and they’d have at least a five-game lead in four of the other five divisions. Gonna be a tight race all season, me thinks. Win today, win the series, move on to the next one. Here are tonight’s lineups:

New York Yankees
1. CF Aaron Hicks
2. RF Aaron Judge
3. DH Giancarlo Stanton
4. SS Didi Gregorius
5. 2B Gleyber Torres
6. 3B Miguel Andujar
7. 1B Greg Bird
8. C Kyle Higashioka
9. LF Brett Gardner

RHP Luis Severino

Boston Red Sox
1. RF Mookie Betts
2. LF Andrew Benintendi
3. DH J.D. Martinez
4. 1B Mitch Moreland
5. SS Xander Bogaerts
6. 3B Rafael Devers
7. 2B Brock Holt
8. C Christian Vazquez
9. CF Jackie Bradley Jr.

LHP David Price

Another insanely hot day here in New York. Going to be hot tonight too. Tonight’s game will begin at 8:05pm ET and ESPN will have the broadcast. Enjoy the game. Stay cool.

Injury Updates: Austin Romine (hamstring) is available tonight, if necessary. Aaron Boone wants to stay away from him though … Gary Sanchez (groin) has started throwing and doing strength exercises. He hasn’t been cleared to start running yet though. Boone said the hope is Gary will be back around the All-Star break.

Roster Move: Welcome back, David Hale. For the third time this season, the Yankees have called him up from Triple-A. And I imagine he will soon be designated for assignment for the third time as well. Anyway, the Yankees brought Hale back to be the long man following Sonny Gray’s short start yesterday. Hale was scheduled to start for Triple-A Scranton today, so he is available for super long relief today, which better not be necessary. Gio Gallegos was sent down in a corresponding move.