The New York Yankees are seeking their first series win of 2017 and will look to start one on Friday in the first of three from Camden Yards.
We’re back in the grind of the baseball season and while the New York Yankees stumbled out of the gate in Tampa, it’s redemption time as they take on the Baltimore Orioles in Camden Yards on Friday to kick off the weekend series.
In hopes to turn around the narrative of dismal starting pitching, manager Joe Girardi is giving the starting nod to 23-year-old Luis Severino, who gets his first shot to turn around what was a dud of a sophomore season.
The righty went 5-3 with a 2.89 ERA in 11 starts as a rookie at the end of the 2015 season, helping the Yankees secure a postseason spot, but after being labeled as the team’s “future ace,” Severino posted an 0-8 record with an 8.50 ERA in 11 starts the following season featuring demotions to the minors and the bullpen.
Baltimore is sending veteran right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez to the mound for his season debut, coming off a mediocre season (5.44 ERA) with a little silver lining.
Over his final 12 games (eight starts) of the regular season, Jimenez went 3-3 with a 2.82 ERA while striking out 53 batters in 60.2 innings of work. In his career against New York (11 starts), he has surrendered 39 earned runs in 58 innings (6.05 ERA).
Lineups:
Players To Watch:
Mark Trumbo:
In 19 games against the Yankees in 2016, Trumbo slashed .299/.390/.672 with seven home runs. His 1.061 OPS against them was his personal high amongst American League East opponents and what makes the slugger more intriguing to watch tonight is his success against Luis Severino.
In six at-bats, Trumbo owns four hits (.667 BA) and two of the four hits are home runs. Both dingers came on May 3, 2016, when the source all three of Sevy’s earned runs came off the bat of Trumbo.
Jacoby Ellsbury:
Ellsbury — 5-for-11 through the first three games — is not only off to a pretty remarkable start but has a track record of success against Ubaldo Jimenez.
In 16 at-bats, the Yankee centerfielder has ripped seven base hits including a home run. Against the Orioles last season, Ellsbury went 16-for-61 (.262) with five stolen bases — his highest against any team he’s played against in 2016.
One of the five stolen bases made the highlight reel. I’m sure you remember:
Time, Place, Channel:
- 7:05 p.m. ET
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD
- YES Network, MLB Network, MASN2
Bold Prediction:
Despite Gary Sanchez‘s first home run of the season, Severino’s lack of fastball command dooms him and the Yankees in his first attempt to erase a dismal second season in the bigs. Trumbo and Chris Davis both take him deep as Ubaldo does enough to keep the Orioles atop in a high-scoring affair.