Yanks Go Yard Radio Show: Yankees-Mariners (8/22-8/24)

On last night’s Yanks Go Yard Radio Show, we previewed the upcoming series between the Yankees and the Mariners at SAFECO Field

At the beginning of last night’s Yanks Go Yard Radio Show, I started off the episode by talking about the New York Yankees (63-60) winning two out of three games against the Los Angeles Angels. Even though the offense was shutout in Sunday’s loss, they managed 12 runs in the first two games of the series.

Even though the Yankees won the series, they are 6.5 games behind the Blue Jays in the AL East and four games behind the Orioles for the second Wild Card spot. Tonight, the Yankees begin a three game against the Seattle Mariners (66-57) at SAFECO Field.

In his first year as manager, Scott Servais has his team six games behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West and they are only a game behind the O’s for a wild card spot. Seattle has won 14 of their last 20 games and they are 21-13 in the second half of the season (Yankees are 19-16).

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While former Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano (.290, 28 home runs, 79 RBI’s) is hitting .228 since the All-Star Break, his 21 RBI’s are the most on the team. Plus, he is second in home runs during that time with seven, one behind Nelson Cruz (.287, 31 home runs, 77 RBI’s). Another player to watch on Seattle’s offense is catcher Mike Zunino (.281, six home runs, 15 RBI’s in last 23 games).

On the mound, Seattle’s team ERA of 3.98 is tied with the Astros for the third lowest in the American League. As far as the rotation goes, Hisashi Iwakuma has a 2.53 ERA in his last seven starts and Felix Hernandez (not pitching in this series) is undefeated in his last seven starts (4-0).

Next: Sanchez Wins AL Player Of The Week

Right now, the story in the Mariners bullpen has been closer Edwin Diaz. Since taking the closer’s role from Steve Cishek, he is 9-for-9 in save chances and he has 65 strikeouts in 35 innings.

My guest for last night’s Yanks Go Yard Radio Show was Ben Renner, the editor of the Seattle site Emerald City Swagger. Ben gave his take on Seattle’s recent success and how Cano is now five home runs away from tying his career high in 2012. Here are some of the other topics we discussed:

• Main reason for the Mariners being back in the playoff hunt
• Update on James Paxton’s injury
• Grading Servais in his first year as manager
• Pitching Matchup Breakdown
• Scouting Report on Cody Martin (Tonight’s Mariners starter)
• Michael Pineda’s (Tonight’s Yankees starter) had his outing cut short last time because of rain
• Could Taijuan Walker start for the Mariners on Tuesday?
• Why I’m down on C.C. Sabathia (Tomorrow’s Yankees starter) despite 12 strikeouts against the Blue Jays
• Iwakuma (Wednesday’s starter) has been the most consistent pitcher for the Mariners
• Masahiro Tanaka (Wednesday’s Yankees starter) hasn’t walked anyone in four straight starts
• Mariners hitters to watch: Kyle Seager and Leonys Martin
• Yankees hitters to watch: Gary Sanchez and Starlin Castro
• What stands out the most about Diaz as the closer?
• Cano’s power showing up at SAFECO

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