The New York Yankees may have dropped their second straight series to start the 2017 season, but CC Sabathia can help his squad avoid a sweep.
As manager Joe Girardi would say, a 1-4 start is “not what you want” but the best part is, it’s still early and the New York Yankees can leave Baltimore on a somewhat high note with a win on Sunday.Getting the nod for New York in his second start of the 2017 season will be 36-year-old CC Sabathia, who’s coming off an impressive season debut in Tampa.
Sabathia held the Rays to no runs over five innings pitched while inducing eight groundball outs on Tuesday. Last season, he put on a show at Camden Yards by holding the O’s to one earned run over 18 innings in three starts (0.50 ERA).
Going for the Orioles will be Wade Miley, who is slated to make his first start of 2017 after battling a bad case of the flu bug during spring training. Last season, the lefty made 11 starts for Baltimore last season and posted a 2-5 record with a lofty 6.17 ERA.
Lineups:
*ORIOLES LINEUP HAS NOT BEEN POSTED YET. WILL UPDATE WHEN INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE*
Player To Watch: Manny Machado
First off, you should constantly keep a close eye on this guy no matter what. But on Sunday, he’s facing a team and a pitcher he loves hitting against.
In 43 at-bats vs CC Sabathia, Machado has registered 14 hits (.326 BA) and has ripped six extra-base hits (five doubles, one home run0. This series, he is 2-for-7 with a home run, a double and four RBI’s.
Can We Get Some Length?
In 2016, the Yankees were 29-42 in games that their starters didn’t go six or more innings. So far this season, they are 1-4 with the third-fewest innings pitched in baseball while maintaining the highest ERA. Not a good mix.
Gimmie Some Higgy:
With Gary Sanchez being placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained bicep, the Yankees have recalled 26-year-old catching prospect Kyle Higashioka from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Last season, he slashed .276/.337/.511 with 21 home runs in 102 games between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A to earn a spot on the 40-man roster.
In 20 spring training games in 2017, he slashed .296/.406/.630 with two home runs and an OPS of 1.036 while also catching three of the five baserunners that attempted to steal off him.
Bird Watch:
Yankees’ first baseman Greg Bird saw an Orioles team physician before Saturday’s contest who felt no CT scan was necessary on his right foot. Bird, who is diagnosed with a bone bruise after fouling off a pitch in Clearwater last week, is considered day-to-day and could return to action in New York’s home opener on Monday.
This Day In Yankees History:
On April 9, 1965, Yankee legend Mickey Mantle hit the first ever indoor home run in an exhibition game against the Houston Astros at the Astrodome.
Unfortunately for New York, the solo blast wasn’t enough as Houston went on to win by a score of 2-1.
When & Where:
- 1:35 p.m. ET
- TV: YES Network, MLB Network & MASN
- Radio: WFAN & 105.7 The Fan
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards