Yankees: Scouting their toughest early stretch of the season

Game one: Severino vs Chris Sale

A rematch from earlier this season, Severino again faces off against the dominating Sale (2-1, 2.31 ERA), who bested Sevy in their first matchup at Fenway. That was a very cold night, which made it difficult for Severino to spin his signature slider and also led to some command issues, resulting in some hangers over the plate that got hit hard.

That was Sale’s first win against the Yankees (1-3) since he joined the Red Sox, although he has pitched well with a 2.50 ERA in 40 innings with 58 strikeouts. Last year, the Yankees seemed to always get to him late in the game, so hopefully, they can continue so here.

A promising sign from their last game against Sale was seeing Judge go 3-for-3 off Sale with two hard singles and a home run, after initially struggling against the lanky lefty to start his career. He jumped on Sale early in the counts, and let’s hope the Yankees can learn from that. This game is a toss-up.

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Game two: Tanaka vs David Price

Another rematch from their last series, both pitchers will look to rebound against their rival after a poor showing from each respective starter. Tanaka let off six runs in five innings, at least providing the Yankees with some length unlike Price (2-3, 3.78 ERA) who only lasted one inning before he felt a “tingling sensation” in his pitching hand.

That sensation may have had something to do with the Yankees pounding him for four runs, led by Stanton’s triple to deep center and Sanchez’s two-run shot.

Sanchez has always enjoyed hitting off Price, he has five home runs off the former ace who has begun to regain his form but has struggled when facing the Yanks since he joined the Red Sox.

Tanaka has done a fine job bouncing back in his last two starts after a rocky start to the season, and he looks poised to build upon it. On paper, the Sox should have the advantage here, but my gut is saying the Yankees will get to Price again and Tanaka will throw a quality start.

Game three: Sabathia vs Rick Porcello

One of the leading early candidates for the AL Cy Young is Porcello (4-0, 1.93 ERA), who is looking like his 2016 self when he won the award. He stifled the dangerous Yankees offense in their first matchup, throwing seven innings of shutout, two-hit ball en route to a win in the series finale. CC will have to be at the top of his game in this matchup, but the advantage here should go to the Sox.