Game 117 Preview: Yankees vs Indians

Jul 20, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher

(18) pitches during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Pitching Matchup

The one member left of the Yankees’ original Opening Day rotation will get the start, who is Hiroki Kuroda. Kuroda comes into this game with a 7-7 record and 3.97 ERA.

The pitcher who will be opposing Kuroda will be Carlos Carrasco” href=”http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carraca01.shtml”>Carlos Carrasco. This year, he has posted a 3-4 record and 3.88 ERA.

In his last start against the tough offensive Tigers lineup, Kuroda didn’t do too shabby. He held them to just three runs in seven innings. Kuroda wound up getting a no decision, but what was more important is that it was another strong start. The key for him will be to keep the hitters off balanced, and keep the ball down to either have the hitters pop them up or ground out.

Carrasco on the other hand struggled earlier in the year, as he went 0-3 and had a 6.95 ERA. Since then, he has turned things around, and has held opponents to a .217 batting average. In 43 innings of work in being in the bullpen, Carrasco has struck out 39 batters and issued just nine walks. The Yankees will need to get on him early so he doesn’t get too comfortable.