Bryan Mitchell Making First Start Of The Season As New York Takes On Minnesota

There is a first time for everything and Monday Bryan Mitchell will be making his first start as New York visits Target Field to take on Minnesota for the first of a three -game series.

After wrapping up a series with the powerhouse Astros, the Twins will welcome the American League's second-highest scoring team to Target Field on Monday, opening a three-game set with Major League home run leader Aaron Judge and the Yankees. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242438554/twins-yankees-open-series-at-target-field/?topicId=26688836

"In order for us to be a contender, we're going to have to show we can compete with these guys," Minnesota catcher Jason Castro said. "It's a little test for us midseason, but it's definitely something we can handle." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242438554/twins-yankees-open-series-at-target-field/?topicId=26688836

Left-hander Adalberto Mejia will open the series, making his first career appearance against the Yankees. New York has yet to announce a starter. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242438554/twins-yankees-open-series-at-target-field/?topicId=26688836

The Twins, who are in the thick of both the AL Central and the Wild Card races, avoided being swept by the Astros after losing the first four meetings between the teams this season. This marks the first meeting of the season between the Twins and Yankees, who will play three games in New York from Sept. 18-20. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242438554/twins-yankees-open-series-at-target-field/?topicId=26688836

Having slipped out of first place in the AL East after being a season-high 15 games over .500 on June 12, New York is in the middle of a season-high 11-game road trip that is taking them from Boston to Minneapolis and then Seattle. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242438554/twins-yankees-open-series-at-target-field/?topicId=26688836

The Yankees figure to be fatigued after playing a 16-inning game on Saturday at Fenway Park, followed by a day-night doubleheader on Sunday. They will give the start to right-hander Bryan Mitchell, who has made eight starts since his 2014 rookie season but none this year. He's 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA in 12 relief appearances. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242438554/twins-yankees-open-series-at-target-field/?topicId=26688836

"It is a challenge," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I will check with everyone to see where they're at physically. You just manage it the best way you can." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242438554/twins-yankees-open-series-at-target-field/?topicId=26688836

The Yankees are 10-2 in their last 12 meetings with the Twins, who have managed just a 20-28 record at Target Field this season. New York has won five consecutive series against Minnesota dating to July 3, 2014. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242438554/twins-yankees-open-series-at-target-field/?topicId=26688836

Judge will be playing his first career game at Target Field. The AL Rookie of the Year front-runner had a slow start coming off his T-Mobile Home Run Derby win, going hitless in his first 12 at-bats at Boston before legging out a soft infield hit. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242438554/twins-yankees-open-series-at-target-field/?topicId=26688836

 With Byron Buxton (strained left groin) on the disabled list, the Twins have are planning to give Zack Granite the majority of reps in center field, though Eddie Rosario started there on Sunday. Granite is the Twins No 21 Prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242438554/twins-yankees-open-series-at-target-field/?topicId=26688836

As for New York's last two games, they're coming off a double header at Fenway Park. 

It was a tale of two shutouts Sunday in the double header as New York took on Boston at Fenway.

New York shut out Boston the afternoon game with CC Sabathia on the mound against Rick Porcello and Boston shut out New York with David Price on the mound against Masahiro Tanaka in the night cap handing New York their first scoreless game of the season.

David Price bought the Red Sox another day to figure out their recent offensive woes. And Jackie Bradley Jr. made the tremendous performance hold up with a jaw-dropping catch to take a homer away from Aaron Judge. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

Price's eight scoreless innings on Sunday Night Baseball lifted the Red Sox to a 3-0 victory over the Yankees that earned them a split of this four-game rivalry matchup as well as the day-night doubleheader. The Yankees won the first game by the same score. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

But Price and Bradley made the nightcap one to remember for the Fenway faithful. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

"[Price] was outstanding. Powerful from start to finish -- a lot of strikes, very good command," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "For Jackie, you know, a highlight-reel catch against probably the most noted power guy in the game, and timely. A big catch to the deepest part of the ballpark preserves the shutout at that point." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

The shutout was no small feat. It was the first time the Yankees' offense put up a goose-egg this season. New York had been the last remaining big league club not to have been shut out. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

It wouldn't have been possible without Bradley, who made a sensational catch over the bullpen railing in right-center to rob Judge of a two-run shot in the eighth. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

"It's one of those balls you just try to time up," Bradley said. "It was in the air. Those are the type of plays that rarely happen. A lot of different things have got to go the right way. Gotta be just far enough over the wall, but short enough where you can grab it. And you've got to be able to get back there in time." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

Mookie Betts hit a two-run homer in the third off Masahiro Tanaka and scored the other run in the sixth, giving the Red Sox a temporary reprieve from their recent hitting funk. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

"The stuff was there, but it's that one hanging slider," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "You want to take that back, but you can't. Price was pitching a heck of a game, too." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

Indeed, this was Price's night, and easily his best performance in the rivalry since he joined the Red Sox last season. Over eight innings, he allowed seven hits and no walks, striking out eight. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

After starting his season late due to a left elbow strain, Price is 5-2 with a 3.39 ERA in 10 starts, and he has consistently held his fastball in the mid-90s. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

"I expect to go out there and get 27 outs and nine zeros every fifth day, every time I touch the mound," said Price. "That was a good win for us. We needed it." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

Craig Kimbrel avenged a blown save on Saturday by getting the job done in the ninth on Sunday, working around a hit and a walk and striking out two. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

With the win, the Red Sox increased their lead in the American League East to three games over the Rays and 3 1/2 over the Yankees. The next rivalry showdown will be Aug. 11-13, when the clubs play three games at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

When Betts smashed his two-run homer over the Green Monster in the third, he not only broke a scoreless tie, but he ended a stretch of 24 innings in which the Red Sox were shut out. It was the longest drought the Red Sox have had since a 31-inning stretch from Aug. 7-9, 2009, which was also against the Yankees. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

"On the offensive side, it was a big night for Mookie," said Farrell. "The two-run homer and then the third run he basically generated with his speed -- infield base hit, the overthrow, he's able to take second base and then we finally broke through with an RBI single with a man in scoring position." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

 Judge's rocket against Price in the eighth was a perfect barrel, measured by Statcast™ with an exit velocity of 107.5 mph and a launch angle of 32 degrees. More than nine times out of 10, a ball struck in that fashion is a homer. But not this time. Not with Bradley in center. Deprived of what would have been his Major League-leading 31st homer, Judge made sure to watch the replay of Bradley's catch on the scoreboard as he left the field. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

"Jackie has been making plays like that for a long time," said Judge. "I just hit it to the wrong guy and the wrong part of the park." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

Garrett Cooper collected his first Major League hit in the fifth inning, a double to left field off Price. Cooper, a 26-year-old first baseman, was acquired by the Yankees from the Brewers on Thursday and made his big league debut on Friday. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

"Those first few games, I think I was pressing a little bit too hard," Cooper said. "Tonight, I felt way more comfortable in the box. I saw Price pretty well, sat on that cutter in. I got it and put a good swing on it. That's what you dream about, and to do it off a guy like David Price is the cherry on top. That guy has been dominating this league for a while." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242527412/david-price-red-sox-shut-out-yankees/?topicId=27118390

New York drops to 47-43 and is now 3.5 games back of their American League East rival Boston who improved to 52-41 and who is leading the American League East. 

Minnesota meanwhile is also coming off a loss as they lost to Houston Sunday. 

 It didn't much matter that the top seven batters in the Astros' order produced no RBIs and Carlos Correa was absent, given a day of rest. Houston had Norichika Aoki and Jake Marisnick backing up a superb seven innings from starter Mike Fiers in Sunday's series-clinching 5-3 win over the Twins. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/242437714/mike-fiers-fans-11-in-astros-win-over-twins/?topicId=27118388

The Astros' 8-9 hitters, Aoki and Marisnick, provided the offense the team needed for its 62nd win, combining for three RBIs, pacing Houston to its 21st series win and second series win against Minnesota in 2017. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/242437714/mike-fiers-fans-11-in-astros-win-over-twins/?topicId=27118388

Houston plated its final two runs in the seventh without benefit of an RBI, as Marisnick scored on an error, and Jose Altuve crossed the plate on a strikeout/fielder's choice. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/242437714/mike-fiers-fans-11-in-astros-win-over-twins/

"We're really athletic," said Astros manager A.J. Hinch. "I think everybody immediately looks at our offense -- at the hitting, at the power or the lack of strikeouts -- but we can create runs for ourselves." "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/242437714/mike-fiers-fans-11-in-astros-win-over-twins/

Sunday's meeting was the last during the regular season between the Astros and Twins (46-45). Houston took the season series, 5-1. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/242437714/mike-fiers-fans-11-in-astros-win-over-twins/

From the ninth spot in Houston's order, Marisnick followed consecutive singles by Alex Bregman  and Aoki with an RBI single in the second inning. Aoki would later slap a two-run double to center. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/242437714/mike-fiers-fans-11-in-astros-win-over-twins/

"It's good for us to put together good at-bats down there, and kind of flip the lineup over for some of these guys that are having the season that they're having," Marisnick said. "The better at-bats we put together down there, the more success we're going to have at the top and throughout the whole lineup."While allowing solo homers to Kenny Vargus and Ehire Adrianza Fiers struck out a season-high 11 -- largely with pinpoint control via his curveball -- which are the most he's accumulated since fanning 10 in his no-hitter against the Dodgers on Aug. 21, 2015. Fiers is the first Houston starter to last at least seven innings since June 16. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/242437714/mike-fiers-fans-11-in-astros-win-over-twins/

I thought he was really good," Hinch said. "That was probably the best breaking ball he's had, and that's saying a lot because he's had a really good breaking ball since this stretch started when he's been really, really effective. He was a strike machine with it. He could throw it to any hitter in any count. Really did a good job. Seven strong, strong innings. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/242437714/mike-fiers-fans-11-in-astros-win-over-twins/

Minnesota starter Kyle Gibson wasn't too shabby, either. Gibson went six-plus innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs. He also walked four and struck out six, both tying his season highs." according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/242437714/mike-fiers-fans-11-in-astros-win-over-twins/

"This is a team we know we can play with when we're playing well," Gibson said. "They took advantage of us a little late and had some good baserunning to score a couple extra runs. We lost two of three, but we lost on the road to a really good team." "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/242437714/mike-fiers-fans-11-in-astros-win-over-twins/

Right -hander Bryan Mitchell who has a record of 1-1 with a 5.06 earn run average will get the start for New York. Mitchell will be making his 13th big league appearance of the season as the Yankees open up a  three -game series with the Twins. Mitchell was 2-2 with a 3.60 earn run average in nine starts at Triple -A. He will go up against Minnesota left-hander Adalberto Mejia who has a record of 4-4 with a 4.43 earn run average. Mejia has pitched better as of late, posting a 2.79 earn run average over his past five starts. He went 6/2/3 innings against the Orioles his last time out, but he gave up four runs in a loss. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-twins/2017/07/17/491484#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491484

How will Bryan Mitchell do in his first start of the season? Will the New York offense that got shut out Sunday be able to back him up in the opener against Minnesota? Will Minnesota be able to get their offense going against Bryan Mitchell?  Will New York or Minnesota get back in the win column as both teams are coming off a loss? 

First pitch is set for 8:10 pm. The game will be televised on Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-twins/2017/07/17/491484#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491484