Series Preview: Reds @ Yankees

Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees really need to turn things around if they want any chance at the post season. Going into the second half, the Yankees are just a .500 team, well under everyone’s expectations. They open up the second half with a ten-game home stand. The Bombers are known to play well at home, but this year, they have struggled in the Bronx. They need to change their fortunes and start winning games if they want a shot of giving Derek Jeter another postseason.                                               

                                        Probable Pitching Match-ups

         Reds                                               @                                          Yankees

   Mike Leake              Friday, July 18th:  7:05 pm EST              David Phelps

 Alfredo Simon         Saturday, July 19th: 1:05 pm EST        Brandon McCarthy

  Johnny Cueto           Sunday, July 20th: 1:05 pm EST               Hiroki Kuroda

Who’s Hot?: Billy Hamilton and Devin Mesoraco have been putting on a show over the last month. In that span, Hamilton is hitting .312 with a homer and an astounding 20 RBI. Mesoraco certainly hasn’t been short on production either, hitting .303 with seven long balls and 17 RBI. The duo have been a big part of leading the Reds’ offense this year.

Brian McCann and Jacoby Ellsbury have done nicely over the same stretch. Both are hitting .293. The Yankees catcher has out-homered Ellsbury 3-2, but the speedy center fielder edges McCann in RBI, 12-11.

Who’s Not?: However, Zack Cozart and Ryan Ludwick have seen better days. Over the last 30 days, both are under .250, while combining for just one big fly and 11 steaks.                                                

                                                     *What To Watch For*

David Phelps gets the nod for the Yankees in the first game of their second half. Among the Red’s team, there has been six at-bats against the right hander. In those at-bats, Phelps managed to allow no hits. Although a very small sample size, Phelps will look to build off that success.

Brandon McCarthy has not been so lucky against Cincinnati. The newest Yankee has faced eleven different Reds who have combined for 39 at-bats. Individually, thos eleven players have not faced McCarthy too much. In those few at-bats however, they made it count picking up 14 hits among them for a .359 average..

Finally, the most consistent pitcher of late, Hiroki Kuroda will pitch the final game of the three game set. Kuroda owns Ryan Ludwick and Jay Bruce. Ludwick is 2 for 13 (.154) while Bruce is 2 for 11 (.222) against the Japanese pitcher. Ramon Santiago and Chris Heisey, the only other guys to see the 39-year old, have combined for four hits in seven at-bats for a .571 average. Kuroda will try to continue his hot streak.