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Game 27: Looking for another win by the Bay

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(Presswire)

The Yankees have won nine times in their last eleven games and, incredibly, they remain a top ten offensive team despite all the injuries. They are ninth in runs per game (5.31), ninth in AVG (.258), eighth in OBP (.340), eighth in SLG (.458), and tenth in wRC+ (108). The replacements have been great.

“It’s fun, man. No one thinks we should be winning these games,” Luke Voit told Coley Harvey after last night’s win. “And everyone in our clubhouse, before the game, after the game, it’s just like everyone’s cheering for each other and happy. And you know what, the confidence is through the roof, too.”

Of course, the pitching has been pretty good too. The Yankees as a team have a 3.86 ERA, ninth best in baseball, and their starters are seventh in baseball with a 3.57 ERA. Hopefully a weak Giants lineup and a homer unfriendly park allows J.A. Happ to dominate today. Here are today’s lineups:

New York Yankees
1. 2B DJ LeMahieu
2. 1B Luke Voit
3. C Gary Sanchez
4. SS Gleyber Torres
5. 3B Gio Urshela
6. CF Brett Gardner
7. RF Cameron Maybin
8. LF Thairo Estrada
9. LHP J.A. Happ

San Francisco Giants
1. CF Kevin Pillar
2. LF Tyler Austin
3. 1B Brandon Belt
4. C Buster Posey
5. 3B Evan Longoria
6. 2B Yangervis Solarte
7. SS Brandon Crawford
8. RF Gerardo Parra
9. LHP Derek Holland

It is partly cloudy and cool in San Francisco today. Not a bad day to spend at the ballpark. This afternoon’s game will begin at 4:05pm ET and you can watch on the YES Network. Enjoy the game.

Injury Updates: Miguel Andujar (shoulder) went 3-for-5 as the DH in an Extended Spring Training game today. He is going to rest tomorrow and play third base in an ExST game Monday, and if all goes well, he’ll begin an official minor league rehab assignment with High-A Tampa on Tuesday … Troy Tulowitzki (calf) played a simulated game yesterday and will play in an ExST on Monday … Aaron Hicks (back) is tentatively scheduled to begin playing in ExST games next Wednesday … Clint Frazier (ankle) played catch today and is expected to return right when his ten days on the injured list are up, or shortly thereafter. He is eligible to be activated Friday … Jacoby Ellsbury (hip) is coming along slowly with his rehab because “little things” keep popping up, Aaron Boone said.

Rotation Update: Domingo German starts tomorrow, Monday is an off-day, Masahiro Tanaka starts Tuesday, and CC Sabathia starts Wednesday. The Yankees flipped Tanaka and Sabathia. Tanaka will start Tuesday on normal rest and Sabathia gets an extra day. Disregard, Aaron Boone misspoke this morning. The Yankees are not flipping Tanaka and Sabathia. German tomorrow, off-day Monday, Sabathia on Tuesday, Tanaka on Wednesday. Everyone stays on turn.

Game 26: A rare trip to San Francisco

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(Presswire)

The six-game winning streak came to an end with a thud last night. A blown four-run lead and a six-run loss. I was hoping the Yankees would win out leading into RAB’s shut down Monday, but alas. Winning streaks end. It happens. The important thing is making sure it doesn’t turn into a losing streak.

“Always frustrated when we don’t put our best foot forward and had a chance to almost put that game away,” Aaron Boone told George King following last night’s loss.

The Yankees and Giants have lots of history (six World Series matchups) and the Yankees are making the rare trip to San Francisco this weekend. This is their first road series against the Giants since 2007 and only their second ever during interleague play. Pretty fun. Here are tonight’s lineups:

New York Yankees
1. 2B DJ LeMahieu
2. 1B Luke Voit
3. SS Gleyber Torres
4. 3B Gio Urshela
5. RF Cameron Maybin
6. C Austin Romine
7. CF Mike Tauchman
8. LF Thairo Estrada
9. LHP James Paxton

San Francisco Giants
1. CF Kevin Pillar
2. 1B Tyler Austin
3. LF Brandon Belt
4. C Buster Posey
5. 3B Evan Longoria
6. 2B Yangervis Solarte
7. SS Brandon Crawford
8. LHP Madison Bumgarner
9. RF Steven Duggar

Yes, that is Thairo Estrada in left field. He has played zero (0) career games in the outfield. Thairo went through a left field crash course with first base coach/outfield instructor Reggie Willits this afternoon. Well, anyway, it is a cloudy and cool evening in the Bay Area. First pitch is scheduled for 10:15pm ET and you can watch on the YES Network. Enjoy the game.

Injury Updates: Miguel Andujar (shoulder) played five innings in an Extended Spring Training game today and went 2-for-3 with a walk and a home run. He wasn’t tested much defensively. “The bat’s fine, everything looked good. You wouldn’t know he was hurt. They should be encouraged,” said an evaluator to Erik Boland. Andujar will DH in an ExST game Saturday, rest Sunday, play another ExST game Monday, then join High-A Tampa for an official minor league rehab assignment Tuesday. If all goes well, he could rejoin the Yankees next weekend.

Game 25: Endgame

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(Getty)

Every day I look at the lineup and wonder how in the world the Yankees will score runs, yet they’ve now won six straight games and eight of their last nine. It’s been fun. They close out their four-game series in Anaheim tonight — this is the endgame, if you will — looking for the four-game sweep.

“We don’t have our big dogs, but we’re finding a way, and it feels good,” DJ LeMahieu told Greg Beacham following last night’s win. “We’ve got a lot of good players. That speaks to this organization. It’s not how we drew it up in Spring Training, but we’re getting wins and having fun.”

Masahiro Tanaka has been excellent in four of his five starts this season and, on paper, the Angels are a bad matchup for him. They have the sixth lowest swing rate (44.1%) and ninth lowest chase rate (27.6%) in baseball. Tanaka’s thing is getting hitters to expand the zone. Here are tonight’s lineups:

New York Yankees
1. 2B DJ LeMahieu
2. DH Luke Voit
3. CF Brett Gardner
4. C Gary Sanchez
5. RF Mike Tauchman
6. SS Gleyber Torres
7. 1B Mike Ford
8. 3B Gio Urshela
9. LF Tyler Wade

RHP Masahiro Tanaka

Los Angeles Angels
1. RF Kole Calhoun
2. CF Mike Trout
3. 1B Justin Bour
4. DH Andrelton Simmons
5. LF Brian Goodwin
6. C Jonathan Lucroy
7. 3B Tommy La Stella
8. SS David Fletcher
9. 2B Luis Rengifo

RHP Trevor Cahill

Another great weather night in Anaheim, I assume. Tonight’s series finale will begin at 9:07pm ET and the YES Network will have the broadcast. Enjoy the ballgame.

Injury Update: Miguel Andujar (shoulder) is tentatively scheduled to play four or five innings in an Extended Spring Training game tomorrow. If all goes well, the Yankees will continue to build him up, and he could be ready to rejoin the team in about a week … Troy Tulowitzki (calf) is a day or two away from playing ExST games and is about a week away as well … Giancarlo Stanton (biceps, shoulder) is shut down for a few days following his cortisone shot but is expected to “ramp up quickly” next week.

Roster Moves: In case you missed it earlier, the Yankees acquired Cameron Maybin in a cash trade with the Indians. He is expected to arrive in time to be in uniform for the game tonight, and Aaron Boone said Maybin will be in the starting lineup the next two days because the Yankees are facing lefty pitchers (Madison Bumgarner and Derek Holland). Clint Frazier (ankle) was placed on the 10-day injured list and Jonathan Loaisiga was sent down. Maybin and Joe Harvey were added to the roster in corresponding moves. Also, Luis Severino was transferred to the 60-day injured list to clear a 40-man roster spot for Maybin.

Game 24: Milestone Night?

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(Mark Brown/Getty)

Are they playing crisp and clean baseball right now? No, but the Yankees are racking up wins and they go into tonight one game behind the Rays in the loss column. Imagine if the roles were reversed and the Rays were closing in on the Yankees despite all the injuries? They’d write scripture about them.

Anyway, CC Sabathia has a chance to make history tonight. Six more strikeouts and he’ll become the 17th member of the 3,000-strikeout club. Sabathia isn’t a big strikeout pitcher anymore, plus the Angels rarely strike out, but six strikeouts is definitely doable. The milestone is within reach.

“Getting it out of the way early would be great,” Sabathia told George King about the milestone. “It’s not something I am focusing on. I making sure I stay healthy enough to help the team win.”

The milestone would be cool. Another win would be even cooler. The Yankees have won five straight games and seven of their last eight games. They haven’t all been pretty, but who cares. They are wins in the bank. Here are tonight’s starting lineups:

New York Yankees
1. 2B DJ LeMahieu
2. DH Luke Voit
3. CF Brett Gardner
4. C Gary Sanchez
5. SS Gleyber Torres
6. 1B Mike Ford
7. 3B Gio Urshela
8. RF Mike Tauchman
9. LF Tyler Wade

LHP CC Sabathia

Los Angeles Angels
1. 2B David Fletcher
2. CF Mike Trout
3. SS Andrelton Simmons
4. 1B Albert Pujols
5. LF Brian Goodwin
6. C Jonathan Lucroy
7. DH Kevan Smith
8. RF Kole Calhoun
9. 3B Zack Cozart

RHP Cam Bedrosian (opener for RHP Felix Pena)

Safe to assume it is another great night for baseball in Anaheim. Pretty great weather in New York too. Tonight’s game will begin at 10:07pm ET and you can watch on the YES Network locally and MLB Network nationally. Enjoy the game.

Injury Updates: Clint Frazier (ankle) went for an MRI today and the Yankees are waiting for the results. His ankle is still swollen and black and blue … Giancarlo Stanton (biceps) had to get a cortisone shot in his shoulder recently. The biceps is healed, but now his shoulder is barking. He’ll resume his work in a few days and won’t return before the end of the road trip … Miguel Andujar (shoulder) took live batting practice and could play in Extended Spring Training games soon. It should be noted he is not out of the woods yet with regards to potential season-ending surgery, but so far, so good … Aaron Hicks (back) took live batting practice as well and has ramped up all his baseball activities. He took could play in ExST games soon … Troy Tulowitzki (calf) also took live batting practice and could play in ExST games soon … Didi Gregorius (Tommy John surgery) is continuing to stretch out his throwing. All is going well.

Roster Moves: In case you missed it earlier, the Yankees sent down the struggling Chad Green. Bummer, but it had to be done. On the bright side, Sanchez is back! Hooray! Kyle Higashioka was sent down to clear a spot for Sanchez and Stephen Tarpley was called up to replace Green.

Game 19: Get a lead before the rain

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(Elsa/Getty)

The Yankees crashed back to reality last night. They followed that thrilling two-game series sweep against the Red Sox with a clunker of a series opener against the Royals. The Yankees are now 3-7 in ten home games against the Orioles, Tigers, White Sox, and Royals. That is impressively terrible.

“It’s our job to win every day, no matter what other teams are doing to win,” Brett Gardner told Ken Davidoff following last night’s loss. “If we do what we’re supposed to do, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing, or where we’re at. Obviously some guys are going to be out longer than others, but we’ve got depth to weather a storm like that. We’ll be good.”

The Yankees have talk a lot about weathering the storm and being close to going on a roll this season, but we’ve yet to see it. When you have to keep reminding folks you’re close to doing something, you’re not close to doing it. Get a win, please. Here are tonight’s lineups:

New York Yankees
1. CF Brett Gardner
2. DH Aaron Judge
3. 1B Luke Voit
4. SS Gleyber Torres
5. 3B DJ LeMahieu
6. RF Clint Frazier
7. LF Mike Tauchman
8. C Kyle Higashioka
9. 2B Tyler Wade

LHP CC Sabathia

Kansas City Royals
1. 1B Whit Merrifield
2. CF Billy Hamilton
3. SS Adalberto Mondesi
4. 3B Hunter Dozier
5. LF Alex Gordon
6. DH Jorge Soler
7. 2B Chris Owings
8. C Martin Maldonado
9. RF Terrance Gore

RHP Jake Junis

It has been warm and sticky today in New York, and it is supposed to rain tonight. The internet tells me the rain is due to arrive around 9pm ET, and once it starts, it won’t stop until tomorrow morning. So make sure you have a lead after the top of the fifth tonight, fellas. Tonight’s game will begin at 7:05pm ET and WPIX will have the broadcast. Enjoy the game.

Injury Updates: Gary Sanchez (calf) hit, ran, played catch, and caught J.A. Happ’s bullpen session this afternoon. Once the doctors give him the thumb’s up, Sanchez will play a minor league rehab game or two, then join the Yankees during next week’s West Coast trip … Miguel Andujar (shoulder) threw to the bases today and everything went well. “I was really encouraged. At this point we kinda still remain optimistic,” Aaron Boone told Sweeny Murti … Aaron Hicks (back) hit in the batting cage today. He’s going to Tampa to continue his rehab following Sunday’s series finale with the Royals. Andujar and Troy Tulowitzki (calf) are going to Tampa as well.

Game 18: Another series against a bad team

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(Al Bello/Getty)

One bad team leaves town and another one comes in. The Yankees wrapped up their fun little two-game sweep of the Red Sox last night, and tonight they welcome the Royals to the Bronx for the start of a four-game series. As fun as the Red Sox series was, the Yankees have to turn the page quickly and focus on tonight’s game and opponent.

“To come through in a spot like that, that felt good. All around, we played a (great) game,” Brett Gardner said following last night’s win. “… Dealing with injuries and roster moves it’s been a challenge. Those guys will be back. Until then we will keep plugging along.”

The Royals are, as expected, pretty bad. They’re 6-12 with a -13 run differential, and their starting pitcher tonight owns a 6.19 ERA (5.05 FIP) in 248.2 innings since 2015 (!). The Yankees did not take care of business against the Orioles, Tigers, or White Sox at home. Time to build off the Red Sox sweep tonight. Here are today’s lineups:

New York Yankees
1. CF Brett Gardner
2. RF Aaron Judge
3. 1B Luke Voit
4. SS Gleyber Torres
5. 3B DJ LeMahieu
6. LF Clint Frazier
7. DH Mike Ford
8. C Austin Romine
9. 2B Tyler Wade

RHP Domingo German

Kansas City Royals
1. 2B Whit Merrifield
2. SS Adalberto Mondesi
3. LF Alex Gordon
4. 3B Hunter Dozier
5. 1B Ryan O’Hearn
6. RF Jorge Soler
7. DH Lucas Duda
8. C Martin Maldonado
9. CF Billy Hamilton

RHP Homer Bailey

It is a bit cloudy and cool in the Bronx this evening. Also weirdly humid. Tonight’s game is another 6:35pm ET start and the YES Network will have the broadcast. Enjoy the game.

Injury Updates: Miguel Andujar (shoulder) took batting practice this afternoon and swung pretty hard. Here’s video. Doesn’t look like he held back much, if at all. Andujar also increased his throwing distance and intensity. Here’s video … Gary Sanchez (calf) took batting practice and ran the bases. Here’s video. Gary said he hopes to be activated when eligible Saturday … Didi Gregorius (Tommy John surgery) has stretched out his throwing to 120 feet. “He’s been doing really well. It’s gone as planned the whole way,” Aaron Boone said to Bryan Hoch … Troy Tulowitzki (calf) took batting practice this afternoon in addition to some running and fielding work. He hopes to rejoin the Yankees at some point next week.

Game 16: Just a game between two sub-.500 teams

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(Presswire)

So, who had the Yankees and Red Sox being a combined eight games under .500 when they met for the first time this season? Not me, certainly. The Yankees are 6-9 and the Red Sox are 6-11. This is the first time the Yankees and Red Sox have met with sub-.500 records this deep into the season (at least 15 games) since 1992. Neither team’s season has gone according to plan.

“I don’t really get caught up in what (the rivalry) means. I certainly understand it. I’m doing everything I can to get us in the right place to go out and get a W,” Aaron Boone said this afternoon. “… I know we’re up against a good team that’s off to a tough start, similar to us. We know what they’re capable of and we know we have to play well to beat them.”

There would be no better way to snap out of this early-season slump than a quick little two-game sweep over an AL East rival. That applies to both teams. The Yankees want to keep burying the Red Sox and start climbing up the standings. You know Boston wants to do the same. One game at a time though. Gotta win the first one before you can win both. Here are tonight’s lineups:

New York Yankees
1. 2B DJ LeMahieu
2. RF Aaron Judge
3. 1B Luke Voit
4. SS Gleyber Torres
5. DH Clint Frazier
6. 3B Gio Urshela
7. CF Brett Gardner
8. C Austin Romine
9. LF Mike Tauchman

LHP James Paxton

Boston Red Sox
1. RF Mookie Betts
2. SS Xander Bogaerts
3. LF J.D. Martinez
4. DH Steve Pearce
5. 1B Mitch Moreland
6. 2B Eduardo Nunez
7. 3B Rafael Devers
8. C Sandy Leon
9. CF Jackie Bradley Jr.

LHP Chris Sale

It has been a beautiful day in New York. A little on the chilly side, but the sky is clear. It won’t last. There is rain in the forecast later tonight, around 11pm ET or so. Hopefully the game is over before the rain starts. Tonight’s game will begin at 6:35pm ET and you can watch on WPIX locally and MLB Network nationally. Enjoy the ballgame.

Injury Updates: In case you missed it earlier, Greg Bird has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a torn plantar fascia. He will be in a walking boot for two weeks, then be reevaluated. The Yankees expect him to miss at least a month. Saturday was the first time it really became a problem, apparently … Aaron Hicks (back) will remain with the Yankees through the end of the homestand before heading back to Tampa. He feels 100% and did more running, throwing, and hitting today. He’s a day or two away from taking batting practice … Miguel Andujar (shoulder) has increased his hitting and throwing. He’s still early in the process and they aren’t much closer to answering the “surgery or no surgery?” question than they were two weeks ago … Dellin Betances (shoulder) is no longer stuck in Tampa. He’s with the Yankees in New York. Nothing new to report though. He’s still early in the shutdown phase following last week’s cortisone shot … Troy Tulowitzki (calf) hit in the cage and did some running on the field today. It’s the first time he’s done any real baseball activities since landing on the injured list.