Series Preview: Series 7 vs. Indians

This four game series is headlined by Saturday night’s matchup of aces in Cleveland. Reigning Cy Young winner Shane Bieber will take the mound against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, barring a change to either team’s typical rotation schedule. The two faced off head-to-head last Postseason when the Yankees put together a barrage of hits to knock Bieber out early on the way to victory. But this week’s series does not resemble a Postseason series in the slightest. The Yankees are trekking through this season with a 6-11 record, and the Indians are sitting at 8-8. Neither team looks like a threat to make a deep run in the fall. The Yankees appear more desperate to not lose than poised to earn a victory.

Game 1

Thursday, April 22 — 6:10 pm — YES Network, MLB Network

Probable Pitchers: Domingo Germán - RHP (NYY) vs. Aaron Civale - RHP (CLE)

Game Notes: The Yankees recalled Domingo Germán to make the Thursday night start in Cleveland. He has been terrible so far this season, to be quite honest. His opponent, Aaron Civale, has been terrific with a 3-0 record and 2.18 ERA.

Offensively, the Yankees have been held to 5 hits or fewer in 5 consecutive games. If it happens in this game, it will tie a franchise record for most of such games in a row. With the entire lineup struggling, it certainly is possible to occur.

Game 2

Friday, April 23 — 7:10 pm — WPIX

Probable Pitchers: Jordan Montgomery - LHP (NYY) vs. Logan Allen - LHP (CLE)

Game Notes: A pair of lefties will face each other during the locally televised Friday night game. Jordan Montgomery has been decent this season, but has also been snakebitten by the home run ball. Last start, he only allowed 2 hits to the Rays, but each went over the wall.

Logan Allen has had a similar start to the year. Against the onslaught of right-handed hitters in the Yankees lineup, perhaps this game can serve as a wake-up call to some slumping Bombers.

Game 3

Saturday, April 24 — 6:10 pm — YES Network

Probable Pitchers: Gerrit Cole - RHP (NYY) vs. Shane Bieber - RHP (CLE)

Game Notes: This is the matchup the casual fan will tune in for. Get ready for tons of strikeouts and ugly swings during what should be a close game. Surely, Shane Bieber will want to redeem himself for his poor Postseason start against the Yankees. An angry pitching Bieber could stifle any momentum the Yankees’ offense accrues early in the series. Luckily for the Yankees, Gerrit Cole is Bieber’s counterpart, so even if Bieber is lights out the Yankees may have a chance at victory.

Game 4

Sunday, April 25 — 1:10 pm — YES Network, MLB Network

Probable Pitchers: Jameson Taillon - RHP (NYY) vs. Triston McKenzie - RHP (CLE)

Game Notes: Both Taillon and McKenzie have the stuff to be a front line starter. Taillon is still building his arm strength back up after missing roughly 2 full seasons. McKenzie is building his arm up too, since he is young and has never thrown a full big league season.

If the bullpens get the expected rest in game 3 of this series with the aces on the mound, relievers may be able to assist Taillon and McKenzie in keeping the score low. But if the bullpens are unexpectedly taxed prior to this game, this one could get ugly.

Sluggers to Watch

The Indians do not have the dynamic duo of Francisco Lindor and José Ramírez atop the order like they did last year. However, Cleveland still has half the duo in Ramírez. The switch-hitting third baseman is off to a slow start (.217/.294/.433), but that is not atypical of him. The Yankees need to do all that they can to avoid this being the series where Ramírez breaks out.

Aaron Judge’s numbers this season are pedestrian for a perennial MVP candidate, but he is one of a few players on the Yankees not bringing an abysmal stat line with him to Cleveland. He is slashing .268/.359/.500 through 15 games, but can change the trajectory of his season with a big series this weekend.

Injury Report

Gio Urshela left Wednesday’s game due to lower back tightness. He remains day-to-day.

Luke Voit (torn meniscus), Miguel Andújar (carpal tunnel syndrome), Zack Britton (arthroscopic elbow surgery), Clarke Schmidt (elbow strain), and Luis Severino (Tommy John surgery) are all out for the series.

The Cleveland Indians have no major league players on the injured list or listed as day-to-day.