Game 65 Preview: New York Yankees vs. Seattle Mariners

May 17, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher

(41) pitches during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners are set to start their one-game series Monday night at Yankee Stadium. The game is a makeup for a game that was rained out April 30 and the Yankees will start a three-game set with the Oakland Athletics afterwards.

The luck of the draw was not in the Yankees’ favor, however, and they drew an ace. For the Mariners, Felix Hernandez (7-1, 2.57 ERA) takes the hill and the Yankees send David Phelps (1-2, 3.38 ERA) to the mound.

As Carlos Beltran works his way back to playing this week, Jacoby Ellsbury will remain in the third place in the lineup and Ichiro Suzuki will start in right field. Ellsbury may be extra-comfortable hitting third against Hernandez, as the Yankees’ centerfielder is hitting .320 in 25 Abs against the Mariners’ ace. Also in the starting lineup, Brett Gardner and Brian Roberts have batting averages north of .300 against Hernandez.

Phelps can be successful by avoiding hanging pitches to several hitters in the Mariners’ lefty-heavy lineup. In his last eight starts at home, Phelps has not allowed a home run (42.1 inning). Other than Robinson Cano, this lineup does not have another formidable slugger, perhaps third baseman Kyle Seager, but he does most of his damage at home in Safeco Field–but the short porch in right can be dangerous.

After Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Twins, the Yankees’ bullpen, an asset to this point, could use a long outing from the starter. Dellin Betances, Adam Warren, David Robertson, Matt Daley and Matt Thornton combined to throw four innings. Robertson is also reeling from a blown save in that game.