Game 53: Minnesota Twins Come to the Bronx for a Three Game Set

The Yankees return home Friday after a nine game road trip where the club went 5-4, but finished strong winning four of their last five. Coming off a series win in St. Louis, the Yankees hope to keep the momentum going as they welcome the Twins for a showdown in the Bronx. On the hill for the Yankees will be left-hander Vidal Nuno, who is coming off a solid performance in Chicago, as he only gave up three runs on nine hits over seven innings, but did not factor into the decision. Nuno is looking for his first career win at Yankee Stadium, as the home field has not been kind to Nuno thus far in his career. The lefty is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in games at the Stadium over his brief career, but may have better luck tonight as no player currently on the Twin’s-25 man roster has faced Nuno before. For the Twins, right-hander Ricky Nolasco will take the mound with a 2-5 record and a 6.12 ERA. Nolasco has not won a game since April 24 and is coming off of one of his worst starts where he gave up seven runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. The Yankees are looking to get something going at home as they are only 3-7 in their last 10 home games.

What to Watch…

Starting off the Right Way: Since May 14, no Yankee starter has given up more than three earned runs in 14 consecutive games. Over that span, the starters have posted a 2.82 ERA in 83 innings. Keeping the streak going one more night will match the Yankees longest streak of such since they did it in 2009.

The K Zone: Rookie right hander Dellin Betances is the first rookie relief pitcher in Major League history to strike out 50+ batters through his team’s first 50 games of the season. Betances has 51 strikeouts through the Yankees’ first 50 games, which is the most since 2000 when the Cincinnati Reds’ Scott Williamson struck out 62 batters in the teams first 50 games. Of the last 60 outs recorded by the righty, 35 of them have come via strikeout.

McCann’s Dominance: Over his career, catcher Brian McCann has absolutely dominated Twin’s starter Ricky Nolasco. In 58 at bats against the righty, McCann is hitting .345 with four doubles and eight home runs. How’s that for owning a pitcher?