Series Preview: Series 21 vs. Phillies
Photo Via: Associated PressThe Yankees were three outs away from a series sweep in Minnesota, but a pair of home runs ended that opportunity. Now, the Yankees play a short two-game series in Philadelphia. It is rare that these two teams take the same field in regular season play, but last year’s COVID-shortened season resulted in four games between the teams.
Yankees Record: 33-30
Phillies Record: 30-31
Season Series: 0-0
Lifetime Record: 17-17 (Tied)
Game 1
Saturday, June 12 — 4:05 pm — WPIX 11, MLB Network
Probable Pitchers: Jameson Taillon - RHP (NYY) vs. Vince Velasquez - RHP (PHI)
Game Notes: Taillon has a 5.09 ERA on the season, but he is finding his way as of late. In his last 3 starts, he has a 3.52 ERA, but it would be better than that if the defense and bullpen helped him out. He does not pitch deep into ballgames, but that is expected after his prolonged absence from Tommy John surgery.
Velasquez has a 4.33 ERA on the year, but has been trending the wrong way recently. Over his past 2 starts, he has a 11.57 ERA (9 ER in 7 IP). With the Yankees offense heating up, this could be a favorable matchup.
Game 2
Sunday, June 13 — 1:05 pm — YES Network, MLB Network
Probable Pitchers: Domingo Germán - RHP (NYY) vs. Aaron Nola - RHP (PHI)
Game Notes: Domingo Germán somehow has become the Yankees’ second best starter. Since being sent down to the Alternate Site for a brief period in April, Germán has made 9 starts. In those games, he has a 2.35 ERA in 53.2 innings. His total for 2021 is a 3.12 ERA, which is also respectable.
Aaron Nola has not pitched as well as he probably planned in 2021. Through 13 starts, he has allowed 3 or more earned runs in 8 of them. His ERA of 4.06 is not too bad, so a good second half to the season could put him right back where he has been in the past. Hopefully the turnaround does not start this weekend. Last year, Nola made one start against the Yanks and struck out 12 batters in 6 innings.
Sluggers to Watch
D.J. LeMahieu has been putting the ball in play, but has hit into some awful luck. His season average is at .254, which is 110 points lower than his final tally in 2020. He will not stay at this point for the remainder of the season, but it is not likely that he will be able to reach the .300 threshold. LeMahieu drove the ball deep to right field a few times in Minnesota, so if he does the same in Philly, he will circle the bases at least a couple times.
You cannot have a slugger to watch against the Phillies and not pick Bryce Harper. After missing 10 games, Harper is 3 for 18 (.167 AVG) with one homer in his 5 games back. That should be just enough time to readjust his swing for this series. With two right-handed pitchers on the schedule, Harper will be taking plenty of big cuts at the plate.
Injury Report
LHP Zack Britton (arthroscopic elbow surgery - bone spurs) was activated from the 60-day injured list today.
1B Luke Voit (oblique strain), OF Ryan LaMarre (pulled hamstring), RHP Clarke Schmidt (elbow strain), and RHP Darren O’Day (strained rotator cuff), RHP Corey Kluber (right shoulder strain), and CF Aaron Hicks (wrist surgery) are all out for the series.
Schmidt has started a throwing program and Kluber should progress to that sometime soon.
LaMarre began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton on Tuesday, but it is unclear if he will return to the majors when he is healthy.
RHP Luis Severino began a rehab assignment with Low-A Tampa on Sunday. It is expected that Severino will return to the Yankees this month, likely out of the bullpen at first.
Former Yankee and current Phillies SS Didi Gregorius (elbow impingement) is on the 10-day injured list and is not expected to return for this series. He started a rehab assignment on Wednesday, but was not reactivated as of this morning. There is a chance he can return to face his old team for tomorrow’s game.
LHP Matt Moore was believed to have finished his rehab assignment in early June, but has not yet returned to the Phillies.
RHP Chase Anderson is out for an undisclosed reason.
The Phillies have the following players on the 10-day injured list who will not play this series:
SS Didi Gregorius (elbow impingement)
LHP Matt Moore (lower back spasms)
RHP Brandon Kintzler (strained neck)
The Phillies have the following players on the 60-day injured list who will not play in this series:
OF Roman Quinn (ruptured Achilles tendon)
RHP Seranthony Dominguez (Tommy John surgery)
LHP JoJo Romero (Tommy John surgery)
The Phillies have the following players on the restricted list who will not play in this series:
OF Adam Haseley (currently on rehab assignment)
OF Simon Muzziotti