Previewing The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees

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

Well, for those fans that were ready to leave the New York Yankees for dead at the All-Star Break, they may have to take a step back and reevaluate their thoughts. Since the second half has officially started, the Yankees swept the Cincinnati Reds in a three-game series, then took three of four from the Texas Rangers, making the Bombers 6-1 since entering the break at an even 47-47.

Tonight, the Yankees open a crucial three-game set with the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. Since the Bombers have recently caught fire, they’ve also caught and tied the Blue Jays for second place in the AL East, and are also tied with the Jays for the second and final AL Wild Card spot. To open the series, Hiroki Kuroda (6-6, 3.88 ERA) will toe the rubber, looking to continue his performance as the ace of this battered and patchwork assembled Yankees’ starting rotation. Over his last three outings, Kuroda has posted a 2.79 ERA, and held opponents to a .188 batting average against. Unlike the past two seasons, the Yankees can ill-afford to have Kuroda run out of gas as August and September approach. In his lasting outing against the Jays on June 25th, he pitched 6 1/3 innings, and allowed 3 earned runs.

Opposing Kuroda will be lefty Mark Buehrle. The crafty veteran has his a wall since starting out as one of the best pitchers in baseball during the first half. Buehrle hasn’t won a game since June 1st, and he struggles even more with the Yankees. In his career against the Bronx Bombers, he’s 1-11, with a 5.81 ERA in 18 career starts. In his last outing against New York, he received a no-decision after pitching 6 2/3 innings, and allowing 4 earned runs, in what was eventually a Blue Jays’ victory.

Jun 23, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher

(55) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Last night’s deal that sent Chris Capuano to the Yankees from the Colorado Rockies for cash, is going to have an immediate impact on this weekend’s series. Originally, Shane Greene was slated to start Game 2, but has been bumped back to the series finale, while Game 3 starter, Chase Whitley, has been removed from the starting rotation, and placed in the Yankees’ bullpen, just as co-editor Jason Evans predicted he would be several days ago pending a deal.

Chris Capuano gets thrown right into the AL East fire. While it’s been a small sample size for the Yankees’ newest lefty, Cappy hasn’t had great success against the Blue Jays. In only 4 1/3 innings over the past three seasons, the Blue Jays have lit Capuano up like a Christmas tree to the effect of a 10.38 ERA, 7 runs (5 earned), 2 home runs allowed, 2 strikeouts and a walk.

If Capuano wants to make the most of his opportunity with the Yankees, he needs to pitch much better, and hopefully, along the lines of how well Brandon McCarthy has since his arrival to the Bronx from Arizona after a disastrous first half of 2014.

Jul 22, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter

(36) bats against the Texas Rangers during a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Shane Greene, because of the Capuano acquisition, will be bumped back to the Sunday finale, as Chase Whitley now finds himself in the bullpen. Even with the change, Carlos Beltran is the player everyone should keep their eyes on. Against Sunday’s scheduled starter J.A. Happ, Beltran absolutely owns the lefty. In 20 at-bats, Beltran is hitting .350, with 3 home runs, 6 RBI, and a double. His OPS is 1.214. Simply amazing.

The Captain, Derek Jeter also has had success against Happ, hitting .545 in 11 ABs, with a pair of bombs and 3 driven in. The other Yankee who has had success against the lefty, won’t see the series, as Kelly Johnson remains on the disabled list with a groin strain. Newcomer Chase Headley even has 10 official at-bats against Happ, and has gone exactly 1-for-10. If Beltran and Jeter can live up to historical norms, Happ could also be in for a long day.

With all of the rumors swirling about the Yankees being in on established starting pitchers such as Ian Kennedy, Jorge De La Rosa, John Danks, and Bartolo Colon, Greene’s time not only in the starting rotation, but with the big club could soon be coming to an end. After two extremely solid outings, the wheels came off for Greene, as he committed three errors in one inning. He is the first Yankees’ starting pitching to play such poor defense since Tommy John did so back in 1988.

Jul 24, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder

(11) hits a sacrifice fly against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Of course the most consistent, game-changer in the Yankees’ lineup, has also had a super year against Toronto. Brett Gardner, who is having a career year anyway, is doing just as well against the AL East rivals. In 31 at-bats this season, Gardy has 12 hits, good enough for a .387 clip.

The newly powerful Gardner, who is on pace to easily set a career high in home runs, also has 2 of his home runs this season against the Jays, along with scoring 9 runs, 3 doubles, drawing 4 walks, and driving in 5 runs. Gardy is the energizer for the Yankees, having hit atop the lineup for most of the season. With the Headley acquisition, Gardy may find himself hitting anywhere from lead-off, to the #2 hole, to the #9 hole, as Jacoby Ellsbury and Derek Jeter will be shuffled based on days off and match-ups.

Series Projection: I didn’t do too bad on the Rangers series. I picked the Yankees winning three of four, losing the Darvish game. I might have been wrong on the game, but was correct on the overall series outcome. For this weekend’s tilt, I’m going to say the Yankees take two of three, losing the Capuano/Hutchinson match-up. Hopefully this is a one and done for Capuano, as the Yankees hope to snag perhaps one, maybe two more arms for the rotation prior to the non-waiver trading deadline.