Game 66 Preview: Yankees vs. Oakland A’s

June 3, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman

before the game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

After losing three of their last five games, the New York Yankees look to right the ship tonight against the Oakland Athletics.

The Bombers will turn to Hiroki Kuroda (4-3, 4.57 ERA) to help the struggling team turn things around. It won’t be an easy task for the Yankees’ inept offense, as Oakland sends Scott Kazmir (6-2, 2.36 ERA), to the mound to open the series in the Bronx. The A’s lefty is coming off a complete game, one-run, six-hit win versus Detroit, a game that he fanned eight.
Despite allowing ten runs yesterday, the Yankees bullpen should be ready to go when called upon. They used just two relievers in yesterday’s debacle (Matt Thornton 1.0 innings and Alfredo Aceves 2.0 innings)

Mark Teixeira returns to the lineup tonight for the Yankees,and will hit cleanup. Scott Sizemore was called up this afternoon and will get the start at third base. Other items of note in the Yankees lineup include a day off for Brian McCann and Derek Jeter as the designated hitter. John Ryan Murphy will get the start behind the plate and bat eighth, while light-hitting Brendan Ryan will start at short and round out the order.