Series Preview: Series 31 vs. Phillies
Photo Via: Adam Hunger — USA TODAY SportsWith many key players still on the injured list, most of which is due to COVID-19, the Yankees can use a two game series with the Phillies as a chance to overcome adversity. The Yanks just won their third consecutive series in a row and can only take this one by sweeping.
Yankees Record: 48-44
Phillies Record: 47-45
Season Series: 0-2 (Phillies leading)
Lifetime Record: 19-17 (Phillies leading)
Game 1
Tuesday, July 20 — 7:05 pm — YES Network, MLB Network
Probable Pitchers: Aaron Nola - RHP (PHI) vs. Domingo Germán - RHP (NYY)
Game Notes: Domingo Germán enters this one with a 4-5 record and a 4.72 ERA. He has been pitching out of the bullpen recently, not always by design. Germán only has 75 strikeouts totaled on the season.
Aaron Nola made the Yankees look foolish last time he toed the rubber against the Bombers. The Yankees were shutout in the second of a two-game series where the Phillies swept the Yanks. However, Nola is having a down year overall. He comes into this matchup with a 6-5 record and a 4.53 ERA, not exactly what the Phillies were hoping for from their ace. His strikeouts are still pumping, as he has racked up 126 of those.
Game 2
Wednesday, July 21 — 7:05 pm — YES Network
Probable Pitchers: TBA - SP (PHI) vs. Asher Wojciechowski - RHP (NYY)
Game Notes: The Yankees will bring Asher Wojciechowski up to start Wednesday’s game. He has yet to pitch in the major leagues this season. He has a 5.68 ERA in 12.2 innings at Triple-A Scranton in 2021.
The Phillies have yet to name a starting pitcher for Wednesday night. It is likely the Phillies will implement a “bullpen game.”
Sluggers to Watch
Gleyber Torres hit a home run the opposite way, then pulled one in his next at bat against Boston. Perhaps this could mean that the Gleyber Torres of 2019 is back, but it will take quite a bit more convincing. My eyes will be watching his at bats very closely in hopes of witnessing multiple hard hits and hopefully another one leaves the yard. If he keeps up with that opposite field approach, it will bode well for him.
Didi Gregorius makes his first appearance at Yankee Stadium as a visitor since fans have been allowed back in the building. He is quite familiar with the short porch over in right field, so do not be surprised if he puts one or two baseballs into those seats. The lefty has favorable matchups against Germán and Wojciechowski, who each yield home runs at a high rate. In only 45 games, Gregorius has 8 home runs, but a sub-par batting average of .211 this season. Welcome back, Didi!
Injury Report
INF D.J. LeMahieu was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup due to a stomach virus. The Yankees provided no other information other than his rapid COVID-19 test was negative.
OF Aaron Judge, 3B Gio Urshela, C Kyle Higashioka, LHP Nestor Cortes Jr., and LHP Wandy Peralta were all placed on the COVID-19 related injured list prior to the series against Boston. All five players tested positive for COVID-19.
1B Luke Voit (knee inflammation) was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to the series against Boston. He will miss this series.
RHP Jonathan Loáisiga is cleared to rejoin the team, but will complete a quick throwing program before doing so. He will likely return over the weekend in Boston, per Aaron Boone. Loáisiga was out due to testing positive for COVID-19.
RHP Michael King (finger contusion) is on the 10-day injured list and may be able to return during this series.
LF Miguel Andújar (hand/wrist) was placed on the 10-day injured list and will miss this series.
RHP Luis Severino strained his groin (grade 2) while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He could return in late July or early August.
OF Clint Frazier (vertigo), RHP Clarke Schmidt (elbow strain), RHP Corey Kluber (right shoulder strain), RHP Darren O’Day (torn hamstring, surgery - out for season), and CF Aaron Hicks (wrist surgery - out for season) are all out for the series.
OF Clint Frazier’s return date is unknown at this time. After testing, it was determined that he is not experiencing vertigo, but that further tests will be needed to identify the issue.
Schmidt has yet to begin a rehab assignment, which is his next step.
Kluber is expected to return in late August or early September.
Phillies 3B Alec Bohm is on the COVID-19 related injured list and there is no return date announced.
RHP Chase Anderson is also out for an undisclosed reason.
The Phillies have the following players on the 10-day injured list who will not play this series:
RHP Zach Eflin (patellar tendinitis)
RHP Sam Coonrod (forearm tendinitis)
OF Odúbel Herrera (ankle tendinitis)
OF Matt Joyce (strained lower back)
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)