YGY Series Preview Show: Royals-Yankees (7/8-7/11)

As another year of HOPE week begins in the Bronx, the New York Yankees (48-40) have to feel very optimistic about their play so far. The team went 6-1 this week, including getting revenge on the Baltimore Orioles by taking two games out of three against them over the weekend. The series started with a dramatic 3-2 win Friday night as the Yankees scored two runs off of Jim Johnson in the bottom of 9th. Vernon Wells won the game with a game-winning single and was drenched by the Brett Gardner gatorade bath. The Bronx Bombers are starting to get some reinforcements back as shortstop Eduardo Nunez returned to the lineup on Saturday. Even though Mariano Rivera blew his second save of the season on Sunday, New York is still just five games back in the division and is in great position to gain some ground on Boston, Baltimore, and Tampa Bay before the All-Star Break.

All-Star Alex Gordon will try to spark the Royals’ offense this week in their four-game series at Yankee Stadium. (Photo Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)

The Kansas City Royals (41-44) are a team that is starting to find its groove offensively. First baseman Eric Hosmer had six home runs in the month of June, and six RBI’s over the last week. The team has two representatives going to Citi Field for the All-Star game in catcher Salvador Perez (.302 batting average) and left fielder Alex Gordon (9 HR’s, 47 RBI’s). Even though the team changed their hitting coach to the legendary George Brett, Kansas City is still 23rd in the league in runs scored and 29th in slugging percentage. If the Royals are going to get revenge on the Yankees this week after they were swept in KC back in May, they will need to score runs to benefit some solid pitchers in Ervin Santana and James Shields. Plus, Kansas City is only six games back in the division and in the wild card race with a difficult July schedule ahead of them.

On this episode of the Yanks Go Yard Series Preview Show, presented by BaldVinny.com, I talk about the Yankees’ series win over the Orioles and New York’s two All-Stars in Rivera and Robinson Cano. Plus, I give the information on how you can vote for David Robertson to pitch at Citi Field next Tuesday. Also, I talk about HOPE Week and the rehab updates for Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Michael Pineda. Then, I spoke with Michael Engel, the editor of KingsofKauffman.com about the Royals’ new-found success at the plate, the impact of the Wil Meyers trade, the trade deadline, and their struggling hitters such as Billy Butler and Mike Moustakas.

There are two shows left for the 1st half of the Yankee season, including the YGY 1st half Roundtable Show, which will air Sunday night at 10:30 P.M EST.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ROYALS-YANKEES SERIES PREVIEW SHOW!!!!