YGY Series Preview Show Rewind: Yankees-White Sox (5/22-5/25)

Apr 11, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) makes a throw against the Cleveland Indians during the fourth inning at U.S Cellular Field. (Photo Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports)

On this episode of the Yanks Go Yard Series Preview Show, I started by talking about the New York Yankees’  troubles at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs. While the team managed a split, the offense only managed to score five runs over the course of the two games. The bats did run into some tough pitching as Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija put up some solid performances, but the Yankees were able to rally in the 9th inning and get a wild pitch from the Cubs in the 13th inning to get the win. Plus, Masahiro Tanaka finally lost a game for the Yankees on Monday night. The New York Yankees (24-21) will continue their Chicago week as they head to the south side of the city to take on the Chicago White Sox.

The Chicago White Sox (23-25) are heading back home after finishing a nine-game road trip at 4-5. When the season started, all the hype was about new Cuban first baseman Jose Abreu. Abreu will not play in this series as he is on the disabled list due to inflammation in his left ankle, but that doesn’t take away from his red hot start (15 home runs, 42 RBI). Robin Ventura‘s squad also got some great news on Wednesday as their ace, Chris Sale, will return from the disabled list on Thursday and make his first start since April 17th. Sale has been out due to a left flexor strain. Chicago is currently in the middle of the pack in the AL Central with all of the teams looking up at the Detroit Tigers, who are separating themselves in the division.

I was also joined by a guest on this episode. Stephen Forsha, the editor of Southside Showdown, joined me on the show to discuss his impressions of Abreu as well as the state of the White Sox after their long road trip. Here are some of the topics we discussed on the show:

• Will  Sale be on a pitch count Thursday night?
• The need for David Phelps (Thursday’s starter) to go past five innings.
• Hector Noesi facing his former team on Friday
• Hiroki Kuroda (Friday’s Yankee starter) and his need for consistency
• John Danks‘ struggles with his command (Saturday’s starter)
• Why I was impressed with Vidal Nuno (Saturday’s Yankee starter) in his last start
• Tanaka takes on Andre Rienzo on Sunday. (White Sox have not lost in Rienzo’s starts this season)
• White Sox players to watch: (Stephen: Conor Gillaspie and Alexei Ramirez)
• Yankees players to watch: Jacoby Ellsbury and Alfonso Soriano
• Who will be the White Sox’ closer with Matt Lindstrom on the DL
• Evaluating Robin Ventura‘s managerial job this year
• Who is the second best team in the AL Central right now?

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE YANKEES-WHITE SOX SERIES PREVIEW SHOW!!!