Game 85: Yankees @ Twins
By Joe Vitulli
Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
The Yankees will take on the Minnesota Twins in a Independence Day matinee at Target Field this afternoon. Chase Whitley (3-2 4.70ERA) will get the start for the Yankees as he tries to rebound after two straight poor starts. Kyle Gibson (7-6, 3.77 ERA) will take the mound for the Twins. The Bombers will be without Derek Jeter, Brian McCann or last night’s hero Zelous Wheeler, as all three are not in the starting lineup. The Yankees are looking to build upon last night’s win and continue to gain ground in the American League East race.
The Yankees are in the mist of an important eleven game road trip before the All Star break. It is imperative to get off t a good start to the trip against the Twins, as they will face the Orioles and Rays next, and have struggled against those foes this season. A win behind Whitley today would put the Yankees on the right track. The Yankees are 5-1 when Whitley’ starts on the road.
Game Notes:
- Independence Day Special: : The Yankees are playing the Twins on July 4th for the second straight year and eighth time since the franchise moved to Minnesota in 1961. In those games the Yankees, are 3-4, although they won last season’s game.
- Gardner’s Streak: Brett Gardner has reached based safely in nineteen straight games and is hitting .319 over that span. He is having the best season of his career and making a strong case for inclusion on the All Star team as a reserve.
- Whitley Walks: Chase Whitley had five walks in last two starts in which he was roughed up by the Blue Jays and Red Sox. That is more walks than in all of his other starts combined. Whitley will have to revert to form and stop issuing free passes in order for the Yankees to be successful.