Series Preview: The Royals & The Yankees

Aug 31, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees opening pitcher Brandon McCarthy (38) in first inning against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

Game Two

In the second game of the series, the Yankees are fortunate enough to send their starting rotation savior to the hill in Brandon McCarthy. Acquired from the Diamondbacks for the ineffective Vidal Nuno, McCarthy has been the the best arm in an injury-ravaged rotation. He’s posted a 2.80 ERA and a record of 5-4. Most of those losses are due to the Yankees inability to score runs each time out. Several members of the Royals have solid career numbers against McCarthy from his previous stint in the American League with the A’s, Rangers, and White Sox, including Billy Butler (.364, 1 HR, 3 RBI) and Alex Gordon (.417, with 2 RBI).

Danny Duffy takes the mound Saturday for the Royals. His ERA on the season is phenomenal at 2.42, but has failed to get consistent run support since joining the rotation as well, sporting a losing record at 8-11. In his last outing, he went 6 2/3 innings, allowing only 2 runs to the Cleveland Indians in a game that was suspended after 10 inning with Kansas City trailing. In his limited big league career, Brett Gardner, Derek Jeter, and Mark Teixeira have all had limited success against the young lefty.