Game 116 Preview: Yankees & Indians
Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Game Overview
The Yankees look to continue their impressive play this afternoon against the Cleveland Indians. They are 14-7 since the break, and 7-3 in its last ten games. Last night, the Yankees put on one of their best offensive exhibitions of the year. They pounded out ten runs on ten hits and went on to beat the Tribe, 10-6. Esmil Rogers was a pleasant last night, giving the Yankees five quality innings.
In addition, Carlos Beltran continued his hot second half with a grand slam off of John Axford. After losing series to the Rangers and Blue Jays, the Yankees look dead in the water. However, they have shown some fight recently. They are only a half game back of the final wild card spot. The Indians have struggled in the second half. Lonnie Chisenhall and the rest of the offense has come back down to earth. The pitching has been equally as bad. At the present moment, it doesn’t appear that the Indians will be making a second straight playoff appearance. Obviously the situation can change for Terry Francona’s club, but they haven’t given their fanbase any signs of change. It may be time for the Tribe to call up the youth from Triple-A and see if they are major league ready.
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Pitching Matchup
On the mound for the Yankees is Brandon McCarthy. McCarthy has been very impressive ( 4-0 2.08 ERA ) since coming to the Yankees in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his last outing, McCarthy stymied the Tigers offense holding them to one unearned run. This was arguably his best start as a Yankees because he managed to pitch well without his best stuff.
This afternoon, McCarthy will face a struggling Indians lineup. In his last start against the Indians, McCarthy gave up one earned run in 6 2/3 innings. Nick Swisher has hit McCarthy well. (6-for-14 with two home runs ) McCarthy is 6-4 in his career against the Tribe. On the mound for the Indians is righty, Corey Kluber.
Kluber has been one of the best pitchers in the American league this year. ( 12-6 2.55 ERA ) He is third in the American league in strikeouts and second in wins. In two starts against the Yankees, Kluber is 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA. None of these current Yankees have faced Kluber a lot.
Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Players to Watch
Derek Jeter always appears to be the player to watch on the Yankees. However, today all of major league baseball should be watching Jeter. He has the opportunity to pass Honus Wagner on the all-time hit list and move into sole possession of sixth place. Another Yankee to keep an eye on is Carlos Beltran. He has been tearing the cover off the baseball since the break. Beltran is batting .354 with 5 home runs and 17 RBI since the the break.
Corey Kluber is the player to watch on the Indians. He is one of better pitchers in the league and deserves a lot of attention. Today also might be the day Nick Swisher finds his swing. He has had good success against Brandon McCarthy in the past.
Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Keys To Yankees Victory
The Indians have been struggling but, the Yankees still cannot overlook them. Corey Kluber is one of the best pitchers in the game and winning today will be no easy task. The Yankees will need another quality outing from Brandon McCarthy.
Hopefully, McCarthy can give them some length too since the bullpen has been used a lot this season.. The Yankees will need to aggressive against Kluber. He is a strikeout pitcher and getting behind in the count is a big no-no today. The Bombers will be probably be without Mark Teixeira and Brian McCann meaning they will need contributions from the whole lineup.
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sport
Prediction
Brandon McCarthy will give the Yankees a quality outing today, but it will not be enough. The Yankees will struggle against Corey Kluber without Brian McCann and Mark Teixeira. The Indians with the help of Nick Swisher, will take this one 3-2. Kluber will go eight innings. and Cody Allen will nail down the save in the ninth.