Series Preview: Series 14 vs. Rangers
Photo Via: Smiley N. Pool — The Dallas Morning NewsUpdate: This article was updated since the Rangers announced their Game 3 starter.
The Yankees have miraculously pulled off a stretch of five consecutive series victories. The lineup has been a revolving door thanks to injuries and a COVID outbreak, but the team keeps inching forward. Looking ahead to a weekend series with the Chicago White Sox, it is extremely important that the Yankees tread water before facing such a tough team.
Game 1
Monday, May 17 — 8:05 pm — YES Network
Probable Pitchers: Gerrit Cole - RHP (NYY) vs. Jordan Lyles - RHP (TEX)
Game Notes: With the ace on the mound, you expect to win. Cole has an unbelievable 1.37 ERA this season and is coming off his best start as a Yankee. He threw 8 incredible shutout innings at Tropicana Field. Texas is certainly a pitcher’s park, so hopefully the trend continues for Cole.
Jordan Lyles has not had such a fantastic start to the 2021 season. He holds a 6.63 ERA, but is coming off of his best start in a long time (5 innings, 2 runs vs. Giants). He strikes out nearly one batter per inning (38 innings, 36 strikeouts), and has surrendered 9 home runs in his 8 starts.
Game 2
Tuesday, May 18 — 8:05 pm — YES Network, ESPN
Probable Pitchers: Jameson Taillon - RHP (NYY) vs. Mike Foltynewicz - RHP (TEX)
Game Notes: Jameson Taillon and Mike Foltynewicz is an intriguing matchup. Foltynewicz leads the major leagues with 11 home runs allowed, but Taillon has allowed the long ball at the same rate (2.2 per 9 innings pitched), so expect the ball to fly during this game. The big bats will be foaming at the mouth for trips to the batter’s box in this one.
Game 3
Wednesday, May 19 — 8:05 pm — YES Network
Probable Pitchers: Corey Kluber - RHP (NYY) vs. Hyeon-Jong Yang - LHP (TEX)
Game Notes: Corey Kluber pitched one inning for the Rangers before his season ended with a shoulder injury. He will return to the very same mound on Wednesday night to face his old team. The Rangers traded away Emmanuel Clase in the deal to get Kluber, so it clearly did not work out on their end.
But since signing with the Yankees, Kluber owns a 3-2 record with a 3.42 ERA in 41.1 innings. It is unknown at this time who his Texas counterpart will be for the matchup. Lefty Hyeon-Jong Yang is a long reliever who should be on full rest after throwing 72 pitches on Friday, so he could possibly be tabbed with the start. Lefty Kolby Allard, who threw 49 pitches on Saturday, could also be an option on short rest if the Rangers do not wish to promote a pitcher to make the start.
Update: LHP Hyeon-Jong Yang is the announced Game 3 starter for Texas.
Game 4
Thursday, May 20 — 2:05 pm — YES Network, MLB Network
Probable Pitchers: Domingo Germán - RHP (NYY) vs. Dane Dunning - RHP (TEX)
Game Notes: Domingo Germán has been very reliable since being recalled from a minor league assignment in April. In fact, the Yankees are 5-0 in Germán’s last 5 starts. He has a 3-0 record himself in those games. He has a 2.37 ERA in his last 5 starts and a 3.62 ERA on the season.
Unlike his teammates, Dane Dunning does not allow the home run ball. He has only been responsible for 2 home runs allowed in 37.1 innings this season. However, he does get erratic at times and leads the majors with 6 wild pitches. He has a 4.34 ERA, which is respectable, so it should be a good matchup against the homer-hungry Yankees lineup.
Sluggers to Watch
Aaron Judge had himself an unbelievable week. He smashed 4 home runs against the Orioles in only 10 at bats. He had multiple hits in all 3 games. With Stanton, Torres, and Hicks sidelined, the Yankees desperately need Judge to carry the team for the next couple series.
Luke Voit is yet to hit a home run since his return, but he has made plenty of solid contact. It is only a matter of time before the Voit bombs come, and they will come in bunches. Both Judge and Voit do not have any prior at bats against the three named probable starters for Texas. Also, this is the first time each of the two sluggers will play in the new stadium in Texas.
Joey Gallo gets a very favorable matchup of four right-handed pitchers this series. Gallo has 7 homers on the season, which does not jump out at anyone, but his raw power is undeniable. Historically, Gallo splits evenly against lefties and righties (.819 OPS vs. righties, .820 OPS vs. lefties). However, the Yankees pitchers do not favor left-handed hitters, which plays a factor in the matchup as well. Off of Gerrit Cole, Gallo is 5 for 22 (.227 AVG), but does have 4 home runs (.818 SLG). He also has a home run against Taillon in 3 appearances. He is 1 for 7, with the 1 being a home run against Kluber. However, Germán has gotten the best of him with 2 strikeouts in their only head-to-head at bats.
Adolis García has never faced any of the Yankees starters, but he is off to an incredible first full season in the majors. He already has 10 jacks to go with a .906 OPS. The 28-year-old Cuban hits the ball hard (94% in hard hit rate) and has near-elite sprint speed (84%).
Injury Report
INF Rougned Odor (sprained knee) could return for a homecoming series in Texas, but it will not be in time for game one. Apparently, Odor is moving around well, but the Yankees opted to keep him out for the first game.
DH Giancarlo Stanton was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to the first game, retroactive to May 14th. He has a strained left quad and will miss the entire series. Originally, Boone hoped Stanton would return for the Texas series, but Stanton must not have progressed quickly enough.
CF Aaron Hicks has a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist and was also placed on the 10-day injured list. He will miss the entire series and there are also major concerns that his season is over if surgery is required.
SS Gleyber Torres tested positive for COVID-19 during the series in St. Petersburg. Torres is in the process of quarantining in Florida. It is unknown whether he will join the team for the Texas series.
RHP Clarke Schmidt (elbow strain), RHP Darren O’Day (strained rotator cuff), and RHP Luis Severino (Tommy John surgery) are all out for the series. Severino threw live at-bats last week and will hopefully progress to a rehab assignment next month.
LHP Zack Britton (arthroscopic elbow surgery) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset on Wednesday, but will not return for this series.
For the Rangers, the following players are on the 60-day injured list and will not play this series:
C Sam Huff (arthroscopic knee surgery)
1B Ronald Guzmán (torn meniscus and surgery)
RHP Matt Bush (elbow inflammation)
RHP Jonathan Hernández (Tommy John surgery)
RHP José Leclerc (Tommy John surgery)
RHP Kyle Cody (shoulder inflammation)
The Rangers’ 10-day injured list consists of RHP Kohei Arihara (finger contusion) and UT Brock Holt (strained hamstring). Arihara threw a bullpen session on Sunday, but is questionable to return for this series. Holt is beginning a short rehab assignment this week and could possibly return for this series, but is more likely to return for the weekend series.