The Second -Half Begins With A Trip To Fenway For New York To Take On Boston
What better way to start the second -half of the season than facing your American League East rival?
New York will visit Fenway Park for a four -game set starting tonight and going through Sunday with Boston.
There is no easing back from the All-Star break for the participants of baseball's most storied rivalry. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
The American League East-leading Red Sox host the second-place Yankees for four games in three days beginning on Friday night in the MLB Network Showcase game at Fenway Park, which will surely be rocking from all corners.
"You get into the second half, particularly when you're in the division, and there may be some added weight that goes to wins and losses as remaining games as the number of remaining games continue to dwindle," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
"I like the way we set up coming out of the break, the way our pitchers are throwing. It's always a great series when we go up against New York. We're going up against a couple of pitchers in there that are throwing the ball well. We've just got to come out and continue to play good baseball." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
For the Yankees, this is the start of an 11-game road trip that starts East (Boston), continues Central (Minnesota) and finishes West (Seattle). "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
"This is going to be very important, obviously," said Yankees reliever Dellin Betances. "We've got to come out of the break and play them well. They're lining up their best pitchers and we're lining up our pitchers as well. Hopefully, we take three out of four. That would be huge." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
"It's a really significant trip for us because we have to start playing better," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It's an important road trip, but it's not the end-of-the-world road trip. We still have 60 or so games left after that road trip, but it's important." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
New York, led by breakout rookie Aaron Judge, spent much of the first half leading the AL East. But the Red Sox have held the top spot in the division since June 30. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
"Every series is crucial, but especially playing the Red Sox," Judge said. "They're in first place right now, so it's going to be big for us. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
"We're in a good place. We've had a lot of injuries and a lot of guys go down, but we've also had a lot of guys step up for us. We've had a lot of young talent coming up and produce for us, and a lot of more guys in the Minor Leagues still to come up. I'm excited about the second half." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
The series gives the Yankees an immediate chance to close the gap against a team they've played some of their best baseball of this season. The Bombers have had an upper hand in the rivalry so far, taking four of the first five games. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
Judge brings 30 homers with him to Fenway, an amazing feat for half of a season. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
"Obviously he has the size and power," said Red Sox setup man Joe Kelly, who struck Judge out on a 102.2-mph fastball on June 6. "He's a big human being, you can tell from facing him last year to facing him to this year, he put a lot of work into the offseason of trying to minimize moving parts. When you're that big, there's so many fine movements. He did a great job of trying to simplify it. He knows he's a strong guy." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
The Fenway faithful should get its first look at another of the Baby Bombers, as Clint Frazier was called up on July 1, and hit a walk-off homer at Yankee Stadium on July 8. The Red Sox are also led by several homegrown stars, including Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, and veteran leader Dustin Pedroia. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
"Even a month ago, you look at what a strong one or two weeks is going to do with the standings -- it can turn them upside-down," Farrell said. "We've made up quite a bit of ground in the last three weeks. No one is overlooking anyone. No one is overestimating their place today. More importantly, we've just got to continue to work and stay focused on the task at hand and that's what we've got to do today." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
Drew Pomeranz draws the assignment for the RedsoxShttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836ox in Friday night's opener. Ace Chris Sale takes the ball on Saturday. Rick Porcello and David Price get the assignments in Sunday's day-night doubleheader. The Yankees have yet to reveal their rotation plans for after the break. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
Three things to know about this game
• The Yankees expect to get Matt Holliday back for this series. The veteran had been sidelined with a viral infection. Second baseman Starlin Castro could return at some point at Fenway as well. He had a right hamstring strain. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
• One thing that surely endears Pomeranz to Red Sox fans is his track record of success against the Yankees. In six career appearances against the Yankees (five starts), Pomeranz is 2-1 with a 2.40 ERA. Pomeranz has pitched well against everyone lately, going 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA in his last five starts. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
• Judge is slashing .333/.478/.556 against the Red Sox this season with a homer. Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. has had a tough time against the Yankees so far this season, going 1-for-16. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
New York has a record of 45-41 while they're 3.5 games back of Boston who is leading the American League East. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/241320010/yanks-red-sox-start-2nd-half-with-4-game-set/?topicId=26688836
The pitcher for New York is time to be announced so who will be on the mound for New York come first pitch as the second -half of the season begins facing Boston left-hander Drew Pomeranz?
Drew Pomeranz brings in a record of 9-4 with a 3.60 earn run average to start the second half of the season and brings in momentum into the second half as Pomeranz is 3-0 with a 1.82 earn run average in his last five starts. Pomeranz has a record of 2-1 against New York with a 2.40 earn run average in six career appearances against the Yankees. The pitcher for New York has yet to be announced. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-red-sox/2017/07/14/491441#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491441
First pitch is set for 7: 10pm. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network, NESN and Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-red-sox/2017/07/14/491441#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491441