Game 124 Preview: Yankees vs. Astros

Aug 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher

(35) pitches in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Pitching Matchup

Right-hander Michael Pineda will make his first start at Yankee Stadium since April on Wednesday night against the Astros.  The lineup behind him will look vastly different from the one that he pitched in front of back in April.  Hopefully, Pineda will be able to pitch as effectively as he did at that time and without the use of pine tar.  Pineda was dominant in his first start since coming off the DL against Baltimore, but showed signs of tiring after only five innings.   He allowed only two hits but is still regaining arm strength and escalating his pitch count after nearly four months on the DL.

Pineda will likely be on some sort of pitch count again today, but hopefully he will be able to be a little more economical with his pitches than he has been this season.  Adam Warren, Shawn Kelley, Dellin Betances, and David Robertson all pitched yesterday, leaving the Yankee bullpen a little worn out for today’s contest.  Pineda will need to be able to give the Bombers some length today.

On the mound for the Astros will Scott Feldman, who beat the Yankees on Opening Day.  On the season, Feldman is 8-9 with a 4.48 ERA as the de facto ace of the Astros rotation.  In his last start, Feldman pitched poorly against the Red Sox.  He cruised through the first five innings in that game against the last place Boston lineup but imploded in the six inning.  The Red Sox scored six times in the inning while Feldman was only able to record a single out.