Yankees Look To Take Series Against the Cardinals

May 23, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (18) throws the ball against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Hiroki Kuroda takes the mound as the Yankees look to bounce back and take the series, after being shut out last night. Kuroda brings a 3-3 record and a 4.55 ERA and looks to rebound from his last start where he gave up 2 runs in 4.2 innings.  Kuroda is opposed by Shelby Miller who is 6-3 with an ERA of 3.18. The Cardinals’ pitcher had one of his shakiest starts last time out against the Reds, giving up 4 runs in just 5 innings. Hopefully the Yankees can jump on Miller early and often.

-A Few Things To Look For In Todays Game

• OUT OF THE BLOCKS EARLY: The Yankees are 10-2 in 2014 when leading after the first inning…and are 17-22 in all other games…after three innings they are 24-9 when leading (15-8) or tied (9-1) and just 3-15 when trailing at that point.
• YANKS STARTERS ON A ROLE:Yankees’ starters have allowed 3 ER or fewer in 13 straight games (since 5/14), posting a 2.68 ERA in that span (77.1IP, 23ER)… marks the fourth-lowest starters ERA in the Majors in that span (St. Louis-2.04, Oakland-2.59 and Los Angeles-AL-2.62)…this is the longest such streak by a Yankees’ starting staff since a 15-game streak from 6/14-7/1/09. The team is 6-4 with a 2.63 ERA (116.1IP, 34ER) in the club’s last 20 road games since 4/20, allowing 2 ER or fewer in 15 games.
• MARK  TEIXEIRA’S WRIST: Teixeira said he’d love to return to the lineup after missing yesterday’s game with a stiff wrist.  But Joe  Girardi said that “Friday following Thursday’s off-day is a more realistic”. Texeira’s presents in the lineup would obviously be a big boost.