Series Preview: New York Yankees vs Los Angeles Angels (5/25-5/27)
After dropping two out of three games to the
Rangers in a slugfest series, the Yankees will head back to New York for a three-game
set against the Angels as they try to take back the AL East from the Red Sox.
The Yankees sit only a single game back of the Red Sox, while the Angels are
four and a half back of the defending World Series champion Astros, who the
Yankees face following this series. With the Red Sox playing the surprisingly
good Atlanta Braves, if the Yankees could take two of three or sweep this
series, they could very likely be sitting atop the AL East heading into their
series against Houston.
GAME ONE (Friday, May 25 | First Pitch: 7:05 PM
ET)
Luis Severino (7-1 2.35 ERA) vs. Andrew Heaney (2-3 3.35 ERA)
TV: YES
Severino has been stellar this season, looking like an ace and an
early AL Cy Young candidate. In his last four starts, Severino has racked up 34
strikeouts and allowed just six runs. In addition to shutting down offenses and
being a strikeout machine, Severino has been durable, going at least six
innings in his last seven starts. As long as he continues to pitch like he has,
the Yankees should be in a very good position to win this game. Especially with
how potent the Yankees lineup has been as of late. However, Heaney has been
solid in his last two starts, allowing only one run and striking out seventeen
over fourteen innings. But, the Yankees lineup is a different beast.
GAME TWO (Saturday, May 26 | First Pitch: 7:15 PM ET)
Sonny Gray (3-3 5.48 ERA) vs. TBA
TV: FOX
Game two features Sonny Gray matching up against a pitcher yet to
be announced. Gray was fantastic in his last start against Kansas City, going
eight strong innings only allowing one run and four hits. Prior to that start
though, Gray has been mostly disappointing throughout the season, often failing
to pitch five or more innings in his starts. If Gray can manage to build off of
his last start though, this could be a turning point for him as he becomes the
solid rotation piece the Yankees expected him to be.
GAME THREE (Sunday, May 27 | First Pitch: 1:05 ET)
Masahiro Tanaka (5-2 4.95 ERA) vs Garrett Richards (4-3 3.31 ERA)
TV: YES
Game three of the series was supposed to be a matchup between two
former Japanese foes with Tanaka facing off against Shohei Ohtani. However,
Ohtani has been given rest due to his workload, and Garrett Richards has been
given the start in his place. Tanaka has been mediocre recently, only going
five innings in his last two outings and allowing seven runs between the two.
As for Richards, he had a mediocre start in his last outing, only pitching five
innings while allowing a homerun and six hits. In addition, Richards’ last
start against the Yankees saw him get knocked out of the game in just 1.2
innings while giving up nine runs, five of those being earned. If the Yankees
can replicate this performance, they should be set to win this game, despite
Tanaka’s struggles.
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| Photo Credit: AP |
Players to Watch
Yankees
Didi Gregorius
After starting the season as one of the hottest players in
baseball, Didi has fallen off a cliff recently, as he’s accumulated only four
hits in his past thirteen games and he hasn’t had a multiple hit game since May
3. He has got a hit in his past three games though, including a home run last
game, his first since April 27. If Didi can take advantage of the seemingly
favorable pitching matchups in this series, he could look to build off these
past few games and work towards a return to form.
Gleyber Torres
The Yankees’ number one prospect has been a phenom in the majors,
showcasing his power with eight home runs in 27 games and hitting .323 over
this stretch. He’s been a key part to the Yankees’ recent success and a
fantastic presence in the lineup. If Gleyber continues on this pace, he could
make some noise in the rookie of the year race against the Angels' own Ohtani.
This series, which features favorable pitching matchups, could help Gleyber in
this quest.
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| Photo Credit: Getty Images |
Angels
Mike Trout
Considered by most to be the best player in baseball, Trout is
always a player to keep an eye on in any series. He has continued his solid
play this season, hitting .291 with 15 homers on the season. He’s also brought
a run home in his past six games and hit safely in four of those. Even though
it’s no easy task, if the Yankees arms can manage to contain Trout, then the
offense will have a much easier job as they won’t have to match Trout’s high
offensive output.
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| Photo Credit: USA Today |
Andrelton Simmons
Simmons has been key to the Angels offense this season and been
their leader in average this season, hitting .331 over his 48 games played and
looking like a bonafide star. He’s also been a star defensively, making several
highlight plays over the course of the season which has began to garner him
some well deserved widespread attention. In addition to Trout, the Yankees
pitchers will have issues dealing with the Angels if they can’t contain Simmons
who will make the Yankees’ pitchers pay by getting base hit after base hit,
making the Yankees offense have to carry a much larger load.
Overall, the Yankees are the better team in this series and should
take at least two of three games. The Yankees have favorable pitching matchups
and a superior offense, especially with how much power they’ve showcased over
the past few games. This series will act as a good warmup for the ALCS rematch
against the Astros following this three game set and will hopefully allow the
Yankees current hot hitters to continue their hot streaks while also giving
struggling hitters, like Gregorius, a chance to return to form before the
tough schedule ahead.
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