Game 61 Preview: Yankees Look To Keep Win Streak Going

After dropping four in a row earlier in the week, the Yankees have bounced back to win two in a row. They look to increase that streak to three games tonight against the Royals. The Yankees and the Royals have both struggled offensively this season, but the Yankees’ offense was able to come out on top last night in a 4-2 victory.

David Phelps will get the start for the Yankees tonight. Phelps has done a solid job for the Yankees, pitching to a 1-3 record, with a 4.11 ERA this season. The problem is the Yankee offense hasn’t been able to pick him up in games in which he’s given up a decent three runs. Phelps also hasn’t given the Yankees a ton of length, making it through the seventh inning only once this season. The Yankees are going to need a little bit more from both him, and their offense if they hope to get a win tonight.

Opposing Phelps will be 25 year-old Danny Duffy. Despite coming into the game with a 3-5 record (mainly because of the Royals’ lackluster offense), Duffy has been arguably the Royals’ best starter this season, pitching to a 3.05 ERA, and even taking a perfect game into the eighth inning back in May. The Yankees will have their hands full against him.

A few things to look for in tonight’s game:

Can Brian McCann Get On A Hot Streak?: Brian McCann has had his moments this season, but overall, it’s safe to say he has not been the $85 million man the Yankees were expecting to get when they signed him back in December. After hitting a big three run triple last night to propel the Yankees to victory, we’ll see if this could be the start of something for McCann, or if this was just another one of those “moments.”

Electrifying Ellsbury: After going into a terrible month long slump that saw his batting average drop over 50 points, Jacoby Ellsbury has heated up again for the Yankees. He now has an eleven game hitting streak going, and over the span is batting over .400 (17-43).

When Will Beltran Start Producing?: Since being activated from the DL a few days ago, Carlos Beltran has been struggling, going 0-7 through two games. While it is understandable that it may take a while for him to get his timing back after not facing major league pitching for nearly a month, right now, the Yankees really can’t afford to have a cold Beltran in their lineup. We’ll see if tonight is the night that he finally gets going.

Jun 2, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher David Phelps (41) pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports