Series Preview: Yankees @ Cubs

Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees will go to Chicago for the next six games. The first two being against the Cubs at historic Wrigley Field. It’s always a lot of fun when the Yankees play there and should be a couple of easy wins (hopefully) especially with Tanaka starting the first game. Here is your preview of the upcoming series starting tonight!

                                                  Probable Pitching Match-ups

       Yankees                                                    @                                                 Cubs

 Masahiro Tanaka             Tuesday, May 20th:  8:05 pm EST               Jason Hammel

   Chase Whitley             Wednesday, May 21st: 2:20 pm EST             Jeff Samardzija

Who’s Hot?: Starlin Castro has been on fire of late. In the last week, he is hitting roughly .400 with a few doubles and a homer in the span. Junior Lake is also on an absolute tear. The outfielder is hitting over .300 with two homers and eight RBIs in six games.

It’s good to see his name in this section but Derek Jeter has been hitting the ball much better. Although he has just one RBI, Jeter is hitting around .300 the past seven days which is a good sign. One of the most important acquisitions of the off-season has also realy paid off lately. Yangervis Solarte is hitting over .350 with a couple of home runs in that same stretch.

Who’s Not?: Mike Olt has been awful for the Cubs in recent games. He’s hitting well under .200 and just has one homer in the last half dozen games. Nate Schierholtz hasn’t been too great either. The 30-year old is barely hitting over .200 with just a few ribbies.

There haven’t been too many struggling Yankees but one that stands out is Jacoby Ellsbury who is hitting just over .100 in with just a few hits last week. Other than him, the Yankees line-up has been clicking the past few games.

                                                  *What To Watch For*

Masahiro Tanaka starts the first game of this shortened series. He faced the Cubs once this year already and pitched eight strong innings of two hit ball in that game. He also struck out ten and walked just one. It was one of his many phenomenal starts for him so far this season.

The Wednesday matinee game will go to the rookie Chase Whitley who of course has no history against the lovable losers. In his first Major League start against the Mets, he pitched 4 2/3 innings giving up just two hits and two walk to go with four strikeouts. The right-hander looks to build off his first start.