The New York Yankees are looking to finish off their homestand right as they welcome in the Chicago White Sox to conclude the 10-game stretch.
- Chicago White Sox (23-12)
- New York Yankees (14-19)
- American League, 7:05 PM ET, YES Network
- Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
By Christian Kouroupakis
Following a dismal road trip in which they went 2-7, the New York Yankees have risen from the dead and have proven that they do not in no way shape or form belong at the bottom of the division.
The Bombers took three of four against Kansas City and have taken six of nine since a six-game losing streak on the road. Although they won the series against the first-place Red Sox and downed the defending World Series Champions, this Chicago White Sox team is the toughest one to pass through New York.
They own the second-best record in all of baseball and plan on sending their fearless (yet feared by the opposition) to the hill.
Chris Sale, the ace for Chicago has been nothing but epically remarkable. Not only does he rank atop Major League Baseball in wins, but has earned a winning decision in each of his first seven starts of 2016.
In six of his seven starts, the southpaw has lasted seven innings in six starts racking up 47 strikeouts and only 29 hits allowed over 50.1 innings of work. In nine games against the Yankees (six starts), Sale is 3-1 with a 1.21 ERA and an 11.1 K/9 ratio.
In four road starts, he’s 4-0 with a 1.85 ERA and 29 K’s.
The Yankees oppose him with the struggling youngster, Luis Severino. Last time out, he struck out a career-high-tying nine batters but unfortunately surrendered three homers over 6.2 innings of work in a losing effort to against the Boston Red Sox.
Manager Joe Girardi also crafted the lineup tonight to make sure they put up a strong fight against one of the best pitchers in the game.
.@LuisSeverino94 and the #Yankees take on the visiting White Sox tonight at 7:05 ET. https://t.co/HnVa0z8Qif pic.twitter.com/CCAKVBvvKv
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 13, 2016
Carlos Beltran is in the three hole and is 2-for-5 in his career against Sale but is also swinging a red-hot bat. This past week, the 39-year old has three home runs with a .280 batting average. Don’t forget, his switch hitting abilities will allow him to have the advantage tonight against the lefty Sale.
Another notable aspect of the lineup is the man penciled in the number six spot as the designated hitter, Gary Sanchez.
In 26 games in Triple-A, the 23-year old prospect owns a .280 batting average (30-for-107) with five homers, 30 RBI and an OPS of .872. In seven games in the month of May, the catcher has slashed .406/.424/.781 with three home runs, nine RBI and an OPS of 1.205.
His right-handed bat has been called up to combat the two lefties the Yankees are set to face this weekend and he’ll be seeking his first major league hit.
The White Sox have lost 13 of the last 17 meetings with the New York Yankees and have not won a series since August of 2013.
5/13 @whitesox lineup at NYY
Eaton RF
Rollins SS
Abreu 1B
Frazier 3B
Cabrera LF
Lawrie 2B
Garcia DH
Avila C
Jackson CF
Sale P— MLB Lineups (@mlblineups) May 13, 2016
The Yankees begin their three-game series vs. the White Sox tonight at 7:05pm on @YESNetwork pic.twitter.com/iyQvzpLgqh
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) May 13, 2016
As expected. Gary Sanchez is in the lineup….DH batting 6th #yankees
— Meredith Marakovits (@M_Marakovits) May 13, 2016
#CHRISSALE is on the mound tonight in New York for Game 1 of a 3-game series. pic.twitter.com/cFQ52sFsHQ
— #KZone For Sale (@whitesox) May 13, 2016
It’s our last weekend at home for the month! Here’s the Yankees vs White Sox Series Preview: https://t.co/TEs6f4OGOppic.twitter.com/paeUsprzEN
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 13, 2016