After getting off to a blazing start, the New York Yankees appear to be slipping back to reality. They went 2-5, seeing their AL East lead drop to just a one game lead.
The week actually started off with a bang, as the Yankees crushed the Rays with a 11-5 win. Home runs from Alex Rodriguez, Chase Headley, Carlos Beltran, Brett Gardner and Mark Teixeira sealed this one, allowing CC Sabathia to earn his first win in a very good pitching performance.
Things spiraled out of control from there, with the Rays taking the next three games. This enabled them to jump right back in the divisional race. The Yankees bats were stifled, scoring just 5 runs over the remaining three matchups. The pitching was not bad though, surrendering just 11 runs in the same timespan. Nathan Eovaldi went 7.1 innings before running out of gas, giving up 2 runs in the 8th. The Yankees would lose 4-2.
Adam Warren also impressed, going 7 innings strong surrendering three runs. The Yankees would only be able to put up two runs though, losing yet again. They would drop the final game 6-1. Chase Whitley suffered a throwing arm injury this game and was placed on the DL. If worst comes to worst, he may have to undergo Tommy John surgery.
Then in a matchup vs the Kansas City Royals, the Yanks dropped another 2 out of 3.
In game one, Michael Pineda had his first poor start of the season, resulting in his first loss. He gave up 5 runs in 5.1 innings, and the bullpen didn’t do much else. Carpenter, Wilson, and Ramirez would combine to give up 7 runs over the next inning and a third, as the Yankees fell 12-1.
The Yankees would end their steak the next game, winning 6-1 behind a stellar pitching performance from CC Sabathia, pitching 7 strong innings of 1 run baseball. Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller then easily closed out the game with 6 consecutive outs.
In the rubber match of the series, Chris Capuano got his first start of the season, but struggled mightily. He gave up 4 runs in just 4 innings pitched, as the Yankees lost 6-0.
It was a highly disappointing week for the Yankees, with all their weaknesses being revealed. With all the injuries to the Yankees pitching rotation they have a very thin cast of guys currently pitching. With Ivan Nova and Masahiro Tanaka still a few weeks away, this could be a recurring problem.
Also, the team is struggling to hit. Jacoby Ellsburry and Brett Gardner are carrying the lineup right now, and when they have an off game, the team can’t score. Mark Teixeria and Alex Rodriguez are complete boom or bust, with most of their hits coming off home runs.
Next weeks preview.
Surprisingly, the Yankees will have two off days this upcoming week. They’re off Monday before playing a two game series in Washington against the hot Nats team. The projected matchups are Eovaldi vs Gonzalez and Warren vs Cole. While Gio Gonzalez is an excellent pitcher, he does have a career 6.75 ERA against the Yanks.
The team is then off again on Thursday before a three game set vs the Rangers. Expect to see Pineda, Sabathia, and Capuano in those games vs Lewis, Martinez, Gallardo for the Rangers.
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