Series Preview: The Royals & The Yankees

Aug 30, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda (35) delivers a pitch against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Game One

The opener game match-up pits two hard throwers in Michael Pineda and James Shields. During the Yankees’ recent visit to the Kansas City for a make-up game that had be previously rained out, the Yankees jumped on Shields and didn’t let him off the mat. In 6 2/3 innings, the Yankees hammered Shields for 10 hits, and 6 runs, taking the loss. In 29 career starts against New York, most of those coming as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays, Shields has a 9-16 record, with an ERA of 4.33.

Michael Pineda on the otherhand, has been simply dominant since his long-awaited return from suspension/disabled list visits. In 23 1/3 innings pitched, the 25-year-old right has only grown stronger, yielding just 6 earned runs. He currently has a 15:1 K to BB ratio, and has allowed 18 hits over the time frame as well. Everyone has know for quite some time, as long as Pineda is healthy, he’s effective. The issue has been his health, and if the Yankees hope for October glory, Pineda will be a big reason why.