Game 135: Yankees vs. Red Sox

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Player To Watch–Brett Gardner

Brett Gardner has been a streaky hitter for most of his career but he spent most of August in a valley following his tremendous July.  Gardner finished the month with a slash line of .213/.295/.372.   Extremely disappointing numbers after posting a .932 OPS the previous month.  Gardner is still having a career year more than justifying the $52 million contract extension he signed before the season began, and simultaneously questioning the $152 million contract the Yankees signed Jacoby Ellsbury to in the off-season.

Gardner needs to put his dreadful August in the rear view mirror as the calendar changes to September.  He is a catalyst in the Bombers lineup and can create runs on the bases.  With Ellsbury sidelined with a bad ankle it is even more imperative for Gardner to get on base and create runs for the Yankees.  He appeared to bust of out his slump on Sunday with three hits, stopping just a single short of the cycle, against the Blue Jays.  Hopefully, the off day Monday will not stunt that progress and Gardner will come out swinging tonight against Boston.

Gardner has never faced tonight’s starter Joe Kelly so it will be interesting to see how two approach each other.  Gardner will likely work the count and foul off several pitches as he waits for a pitch he can hit.  Kelly will likely try to get Gardner to swing at pitches outside the zone as he attempts to get Gardner to try and do too much.  Gardner has been one of the few consistent Yankees in the lineup everyday and has emerged as a surprise power threat, amassing career high 16 home runs this year, which is good for second on the team.