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Yanks Go Yard Radio Show Rewind: Yankees-Athletics Preview (5/28-5/31)

By Ricky Keeler

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On last night s episode of the Yanks Go Yard Radio Show, brought to you by KNODA.com, I started off the episode by talking about the New York Yankees (25-22) impressive sweep of the Kansas City Royals this week at Yankee Stadium. After losing six straight games and ten of their last 11, New York brought the offense to the ballpark in this series. Over the course of the three games, the Bronx Bombers outscored the Royals 23-4.

Plus, in the first portion of the show, I gave my take on Masahiro Tanaka’s second rehab start that took place in Pawtucket Wednesday afternoon for triple-A Scranton. While he did throw 62 pitches, Jackie Bradley Jr. went 2-for-2 against him with a double and a home run. It will be interesting to see whether the Yankees have him make one more rehab start or bring him up to join the rotation next week.

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For now, the Yankees will begin a seven game West Coast trip tonight when they begin a four game series against the Oakland Athletics (17-32). The A’s are coming into this series reeling after losing two straight to the Detroit Tigers and going 0-for-21 in those games with runners in scoring position.

Even though the A’s have the worst record in baseball, their numbers don’t exactly reflect that. They are eighth in the American League in runs scored and fifth in on-base percentage. One of the A’s main offensive contributors is catcher Stephen Vogt. The 30-year-old is hitting .319 this season with ten home runs and 33 RBI’s.

One of the main issues for the A’s has been their bullpen. Even though Sean Doolittle just came back a couple of days ago off of injury, Bob Melvin’s bullpen has the worst ERA of any team in the American League (4.91). Tyler Clippard, who Billy Beane acquired from the Nationals this winter, has been the bright spot in the ‘pen as he has four saves and a 2.25 ERA.

When you talk about Oakland, the strength of this team is in their rotation. Sonny Gray (Friday’s starter) is 5-2 with a 1.77 ERA, which is the best in the American League. Right now, Oakland has the best starter’s ERA In the AL (3.25) and the third best in all of baseball, behind the Pirates and Cardinals.

For more on the Athletics and who the team might look to trade before the July 31 deadline, I spoke with Joseph DeClercq, a co-editor over at Swingin A’s. Joseph gave his take on the A’s recent struggles and whether or not manager Bob Melvin should be on the hot seat. Here are the other topics we talked about:

  • Update on Scott Kazmir’s Injury
  • The A’s recent struggles with runners in scoring position
  • Is the fan base surprised at how poorly the team has played to start 2015?
  • Pitching Matchup Breakdown
  • Scouting Report on Kendall Graveman (tonight’s A’s starter)
  • CC Sabathia (tonight’s Yankee starter) coming off a rough start vs. Texas
  • Gray’s maturation into one of the best pitchers in baseball
  • Will tomorrow night be Chris Capuano’s final start in the Yankees rotation?
  • Jesse Hahn (Saturday A’s starter) has given up five earned runs combined in his last three starts
  • Can Nathan Eovaldi (Saturday’s Yankee starter) take advantage of the A’s lack of familiarity with him?
  • Jesse Chavez (Sunday’s A’s starter) not getting much run support.
  • Adam Warren (Sunday’s Yankee starter) coming off of his best start of the season vs. KC.
  • A’s hitters to watch: Stephen Vogt and Ben Zobrist
  • Yankees hitters to watch: Chase Headley and Carlos Beltran
  • Early impressions on rookie shortstop Marcus Semien
  • The A’s finally getting the bullpen duo of Clippard and Doolittle together

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